Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe)
Protected Area
Punta Bayahibe
Why dive here
With 250+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, humpback whales, nurse sharks, orcas and sea turtles - Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) offers some of Punta Cana's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
The Atlantic Princess is a quirky wreck, sitting upright in about 13 metres of water just off Bayahibe. We love how accessible it is, perfect for newer divers looking to get their first taste of proper wreck penetration. The ship broke in half during Hurricane Sandy, and now you can swim right through the cargo hold, feeling the cool shadow as you pass from bow to stern. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels peeking from the nooks and crannies, and the occasional schooling snapper hanging out in the darker sections. On the deck, we often spot lionfish lazily finning, their venomous spines fanning out, so watch your buoyancy. It's a great spot for an easy second dive, especially if you want to practice your buoyancy control in a confined space without a lot of current to worry about.
Typical Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) Wreck History
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe)
Dive shops near Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe)
Coral Point Diving
BLUE DREAMS DIVING
Reef Oasis Viva Dominican
Pro Dive International Catalonia Bayahibe
Reviews for Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe)
Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.52, -68.36) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
26.7°C
80°F
Air Temperature
27.64°C
82°F
Wind Speed
5.12 m/s
10.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.7 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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