Catuan (Wreck)

Best months: Dec–Apr

Protected Area

La Caleta

Why dive here

With 173+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - Catuan (Wreck) offers some of Bayahibe & La Romana's richest reef 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

CharacterReef dive · max 15-30m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Catuan wreck is a solid choice when you’re diving out of Bayahibe. We love a tugboat wreck, they just have a certain character, and this 33-meter vessel, sunk intentionally in 2006, is no exception. It sits upright and relatively intact at a max depth of 20 meters, making it a comfortable dive for anyone from newly certified open water divers to those with hundreds of logged dives. What really makes the Catuan shine is how quickly marine life has adopted it. Swim through the wheelhouse and engine room - the penetrations are easy and well-lit - and you'll often find yourself surrounded by big schools of French grunts and sergeant majors. We’ve seen hawksbill turtles grazing on the hull, and it’s not uncommon to spot nurse sharks napping under ledges or barracudas hanging off the bow. The visibility averages around 16 meters, which is usually plenty to take in the wreck’s full outline as you approach. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, just as the sun gets high enough to really illuminate the interior spaces.