Atlantic Princess (Wreck)
Protected Area
Punta Bayahibe
Why dive here
With 173+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - Atlantic Princess (Wreck) offers some of Bayahibe & La Romana's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
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.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Atlantic Princess (Wreck) Wreck History
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.
Reviews for Atlantic Princess (Wreck)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Atlantic Princess (Wreck)
Atlantic Princess (Wreck) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Atlantic Princess (Wreck), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.35, -68.88) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
26.87°C
80°F
Air Temperature
27.91°C
82°F
Wind Speed
4.81 m/s
9.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.6 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
Book a dive trip in Bayahibe & La Romana
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near Atlantic Princess (Wreck)
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.