Sosua is a small Dominican Republic city situated just about 6 km from the Puerto Plata International Airport. Each year, the Sosua Bay attracts thousands of divers to explore its unique reefs and coral formations. We reprint descriptions of the most visited diving spots in the area.
Three Rocks are three giant coral heads that span for 45 meters (150 ft.), hosting an incredible mix of tropical fish and plant life.
Beginners dive to a maximum depth of 12 m/ 40 ft. along a colorful reef wall. Advanced divers plunge to a maximum depth of 32 m/ 104 ft. Impressive in the day, Paradise Reef is also a stunning night dive, particularly when the octopi and squid come out to play. Also see the Dinoflagellates. See the fenomenon of these tiny half animal and half plant. With each fin stroke they leave a trial of bright green light behind.
The Canyon is a reef wall that has split, forming an underwater avenue ideal for a relaxed, colorful cruise. The wall begins at 4 m/12 ft and is full of spectacular sponge life.
Diving La Puntilla (the little point) is exciting because of four fallen boulders that have created a variety of caves and swim-throughs. Species of particular interest here are the barracuda and the spotted eagle ray.
The reef wall begins at a depth of 12 m/ 40 ft. The remaining 12 meters is a maze of swim-throughs, caves, and schools of tropical fish. Inside one of the caves is a massive Elkhorn Coral, a rare animal that does not need sunlight to flourish.
The sunken Zingara, a 45 meter-long cargo ship, is home to a 6 foot long (2 m) moray eel who has a reputation for surprising curious divers. This dive has the additional feature of an adjacent reef wall, allowing divers the option to ascend to a shallower depth. The wall is host to numerous fan corals, whips, barrels and tube sponges.
Parallel to the Canyon, the Garden of Los Charmicos is a genuine underwater garden with spectacular sponge and coral formations, including large pink and purple fan corals and alien-looking, multi-colored barrel sponges.
The mysterious sting ray entices many to dive at Chiquita Reef, as well as the various schools of fish darting to and fro in simultaneous precision.
Parallel to Sosua beach, the West Wall begins at a depth of 8 meters/ 26 ft. and flourishes all the way to the ocean floor. Amongst other reef creatures living on the wall, the prickly sea urchin is particularly fond of the spot.
One of the most special diving spots of the northern coast is located in its easternmost part, halfway drive between the villages of Cabrera and Nagua. Secluded in natural wonder, caverns of El Dudu and the Blue Lagoon are freshwater lakes. Situated one and half hour east of Sosua in the lower range of the coastal mountains, the venue offers diving from one lake to another.
You enter through the fresh clean water lagoon where the visibility is an astonishing 50 meters (160+ ft.). The Caverns offers a number of different eco systems, natural splendours just waiting to be discovered. This prime site lets you take advantage of luxuriant scenery of cliffs and trees for a dramatic picture window. For the seasoned cave diver, this excursion is an absolute must; for the advanced diver, the uncovered caverns are a brilliant introduction to the mystery and allure of cave diving. Entrance to DuDu and the Blue Lagoon is about 5 USD.
Adrex.com professional guide to the destinations was a 5star PADI Northern Coast Diving team, which we hereby recommend.
Contacts: Tel: (809) 571-1028; Fax: (809) 571-3883; More information available at: www.northerncoastdiving.com Email: info@northerncoastdiving.com
Source: Northern Coast Diving website Thanks to Karen and Michael. All images are property of Northern Coast Diving. Video: Youtube
