Astron Wreck - Punta Cana

The Astron Wreck in Punta Cana is a proper old freighter, broken into two main sections and lying on its side. It’s sitting at a perfect depth for intermediate divers, around 10 to 18 metres, which means you get decent bottom time to really snoop around. We love that the sheer size of it gives you options; you can just cruise over the top, taking in the scale, or if you’re wreck trained, there are some great swim-throughs into the cargo holds. Our favourite part is seeing how nature has just taken over. What was once steel and machinery is now a home for schools of snapper that swirl around the structure, and we’ve spotted green turtles resting in the quieter sections. The visibility here is usually pretty good, making the light rays filtering through the broken hull quite dramatic. We’d suggest going early in the morning before too many boats arrive; the wreck feels much more imposing when it's just you and a few others gliding through its shadowy corridors. It’s a genuinely satisfying wreck dive, offering more than just a quick look.

Location
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates
18.510000, -68.370000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-18m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Wreck History - Astron Wreck

Year Sunk
1978
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
27,990 GRT

Built in France in 1957, the vessel originally named Esmeralda and later Bonnie would become one of the most famous landmarks in the Dominican Republic. At the time of its loss, the 127-meter motor ship was named Astron and was operating under Russian ownership, a remnant of its Cold War-era service.

On April 7, 1978, the Astron was reportedly en route to Cuba with a cargo of 60 tons of corn when it ran aground in shallow waters off the coast of Punta Cana. While some accounts attribute the incident to a powerful storm, official weather records for that date are clear, leaving the true cause of the grounding a subject of local legend and speculation. The ship broke in two, spilling a large quantity of bunker fuel into the sea.

Today, the Astron is an iconic wreck, with its bow section still jutting prominently from the turquoise water. The stern section lies submerged in about 16 meters of water, making it an accessible and exciting dive. Divers can explore the massive propeller, swim through parts of the superstructure, and observe the abundant marine life that has turned this hulking piece of steel into a thriving artificial reef.

Marine Protected Area: Costa Azul

Best Time to Dive in Punta Cana

The warmest water temperatures in Punta Cana occur in January, averaging 26.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.7°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • February: 26.7°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • March: 26.7°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • April: 26.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • May: 26.7°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • June: 26.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • July: 26.7°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • August: 26.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • September: 26.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • October: 26.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • November: 26.7°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • December: 26.7°C (air: 25.4°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Punta Cana

Nearest Dive Centres to Astron Wreck

Marine Life in Punta Cana

Home to 253 recorded species including 207 reef fish, 28 hard corals, 5 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Astron Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 26.7°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