Atlantic Princess (Wreck) - Punta Cana

If you’re diving in Punta Cana, the Atlantic Princess is a wreck we always recommend for new divers, or anyone who just wants a mellow, interesting dive. This old cargo ship, run aground and later sunk intentionally, rests upright on a sandy bottom, broken into two main sections. It’s shallow, only about 13 metres, which means plenty of bottom time and lots of light filtering down. We love finning slowly around the stern, where the propeller is still intact, encrusted with sponges and small corals. Look closely and you’ll spot a moray eel peeking from a pipe, or a shy lionfish tucked into a shadowed corner. The interior is largely open and easy to navigate for those with appropriate training, but honestly, the best stuff is often on the exterior; schools of French grunts hang out in the cargo hold, flashing silver, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large barracuda just off the bow. It’s a comfortable, captivating dive, ideal for getting comfortable with wreck penetration, or just enjoying a calm swim through history.

Location
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates
18.348800, -68.874200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - Atlantic Princess (Wreck)

Year Sunk
2008
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
storm

The Atlantic Princess was a small passenger vessel that once ferried tourists along the vibrant coastline of Punta Cana. Its career came to an abrupt end in 2008 when a powerful storm inflicted critical damage. While being towed to Santo Domingo for repairs, the vessel succumbed to its injuries and sank, coming to rest on the sandy seabed just offshore from the popular Bávaro beaches.

Resting at a shallow depth of around 13 meters (40 feet), the Atlantic Princess is one of the most popular and accessible wreck dives in the Dominican Republic. Its easy depth profile makes it perfect for newly certified divers, underwater photographers, and anyone looking for a relaxed exploration. The wreck is largely intact, though broken in a few sections, allowing for easy and safe viewing. Over the years, it has transformed into a bustling artificial reef, attracting large schools of grunts, snapper, and goatfish, as well as providing shelter for moray eels and crustaceans.

Marine Protected Area: Punta Bayahibe

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 Atlantic Princess (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 Atlantic Princess (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