Atlantic Princess (Wreck) - Bayahibe & La Romana

The Atlantic Princess isn’t some deep, dark mystery. She’s a cheerful, relatively shallow wreck, intentionally sunk in 2009, making her a perfect afternoon dive if you're staying in Bayahibe. We love that she’s already well-colonised, a testament to how quickly the ocean reclaims things. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is how intact she is – 30 feet wide and 99 feet long, sitting upright. You can fin right through the main deck, exploring the passenger areas, which are now home to schools of snapper and grunts. Keep an eye out for the giant gobies; they’re surprisingly bold here. We often find nurse sharks napping under ledges or tucked into corners. Visibility averages a solid 16 metres, so you get great views of the entire ship as you approach. It’s a gentle dive, maxing out at 13 metres, ideal for newer wreck divers or anyone looking for an easy, colourful exploration. Our favourite part is lingering on the bow, watching angelfish flit between the new coral growth.

Location
Bayahibe & La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates
18.348800, -68.874200
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Atlantic Princess (Wreck)

Year Sunk
2009
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
scuttled

Unlike wrecks claimed by storm or mishap, the Atlantic Princess of Bayahibe was given to the sea intentionally. This 99-foot former passenger liner was purposefully scuttled in May 2009 to create a new artificial reef and underwater attraction for divers. It was carefully placed on a sandy bottom in front of what is now the Dreams La Romana resort, with the goal of fostering new marine life and providing an easily accessible dive site.

For years, the Atlantic Princess was a fantastic wreck for beginners, sitting upright in just 13 meters (40 feet) of water. Divers could easily explore its small deck and swim through its open cabin. However, in September 2022, Hurricane Fiona's powerful currents tore the wreck apart, scattering its sections across the seafloor. While no longer intact, the site is now arguably even more interesting, offering a debris field to explore where countless creatures have made their homes among the twisted metal, transforming a planned reef into a dynamic, storm-altered habitat.

Marine Protected Area: Punta Bayahibe

Best Time to Dive in Bayahibe & La Romana

The warmest water temperatures in Bayahibe & La Romana occur in January, averaging 26.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • February: 26.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • March: 26.9°C (air: 25.0°C)
  • April: 26.9°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • May: 26.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • June: 26.9°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • July: 26.9°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • August: 26.9°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • September: 26.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • October: 26.9°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • November: 26.9°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • December: 26.9°C (air: 25.0°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Bayahibe & La Romana

Nearest Dive Centres to Atlantic Princess (Wreck)

Marine Life in Bayahibe & La Romana

Home to 181 recorded species including 157 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Atlantic Princess (Wreck)

Based on average water temperature of 26.9°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories