CARONI

Best months: Dec–Apr

Protected Area

Boca de Nigua

Why dive here

With 173+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - CARONI offers some of Bayahibe & La Romana's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeDec–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Humpback Whales, Orcas, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 173+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterWreck dive · max 8m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Caroni, sitting in just 8 meters of water, is a wreck we always recommend for a leisurely dive. This isn't a deep, dark penetration site, which is exactly why we love it. It’s a huge cargo ship, around 100 meters long, and it's been down since 1988, which gives it that lovely, settled look. You drop straight onto the superstructure and the sheer scale hits you immediately. We often spend our first few minutes just finning along the deck, peering into the open holds. Light streams down, illuminating schools of snapper that dart in and out of the rusted metal. The real joy here is exploring the cargo holds; they’re wide open, making for easy swim-throughs, and you can really get a sense of the ship’s original purpose. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels tucked into crevices, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large barracuda patrolling the mast. This site is perfect for newer wreck divers or those who just want to take their time and soak it all in. The shallow depth means fantastic bottom time, and the sunlight really brings out the colours of the sponges and soft corals that have started to reclaim the metal. It’s a relaxed, rewarding dive every time.

Typical CARONI Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today05:3317:2211h 49m daylightGolden hour 16:53

CARONI Wreck History

Year Sunk

1988

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

unknown

The MV Caroni rests in the warm, clear waters off the Dominican Republic, but its story began halfway across the world. Built in 1969 by K.K. Usuki Tekkosho in Saiki, Japan, this motor vessel lived a long and varied life under several names. It began its career as the Eidai Maru No. 2, later sailing as the Good Hope (1980), the Michalis (1982), and Las Minas (1986) before finally being christened the Caroni. Its final voyage was from Matanzas, Venezuela, before it sank in August 1988.

Today, the Caroni is a fantastic wreck dive for divers of all levels. Lying at a shallow depth of just 8 meters, it is easily accessible and enjoys excellent visibility, making it a perfect introduction to wreck diving. Over the decades, the vessel's structure has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, colonized by a rich tapestry of Caribbean marine life. Divers can expect to see schools of colorful fish darting through its openings, with corals and sponges adorning its steel plates. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times, providing ample opportunity for underwater photographers to capture the beauty of this underwater habitat.