Gorgonia Boca Chica - Bayahibe & La Romana
The Lee Breakwater dive site, tucked away in New Zealand's Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, consistently proves that depth isn’t everything. We love this site for its easy shore access from the Port Taranaki boat ramp, making it a great pick when you just want to get wet without a boat trip. Even with a maximum depth of 7m and an average visibility around 3m, there's a surprising amount to discover if you slow down. Drop in and you're immediately amongst the rocky nooks, where we’ve often spotted Blue-eyed Triplefins darting between the cracks. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, often found grazing on the kelp, and we’ve had some cracking encounters with John Dory lurking in the shadows. For those who enjoy a bit of a hunt, it's also a known spot for rock lobster, though you'll need to know the local regulations. It’s a site that rewards patient divers, perfect for macro enthusiasts and anyone keen on a relaxed, unhurried explore.
- Location
- Bayahibe & La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 18.435900, -69.621500
Marine Protected Area: La Caleta
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
- 3. Riff (cenote)
- 3. Riff (reef)
- Almendra (wall)
- Almendra (cenote)
- Aquarium
- Aquarium Boca Chica (reef)
- Aquarium Boca Chica (reef)
- Atlantic Princess (Wreck) (wreck)
- Atlantic Princess (Wreck) (reef)
- Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) (reef)
- Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) (wreck)
- Bajo Largo (reef)
- Bajos del Caballo (reef)
- Bajos del Catalina (reef)
- Bayahibe (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Gorgonia Boca Chica
- CARIBBEAN DIVERS - ASOBUCA - SSI, CMAS, SEI
- Profundo Blue
- Scuba Libre
- Seaklub Samana - ["PADI"]
- Shark Juan Dolio Diver
- The Dive Academy - NAUI
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
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) - Seagrass & Algae
- manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) - Seagrass & Algae
- Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
- Blue Parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
- Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Gorgonia Boca Chica
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