Canyons - Dominican Republic - Sosua & Puerto Plata

Fish Bowl, tucked into Roatán's Turtle Harbor, is a shallow, sandy-bottomed reef that we keep coming back to. Forget the big walls for a minute; this spot, topping out around 13 metres, is where we go when we want to slow down and really look. The sandy patches here glow, especially when the light hits them just right, making the coral heads pop with colour. We've spent entire dives just watching the yellowhead wrasse dart in and out of the sand, or trying to spot a cleverly camouflaged coral scorpionfish. Visibility generally sits around 29 metres, which gives you plenty of room to appreciate the grunts schooling over the sand or a lone great barracuda hovering in the blue. It’s not about huge pelagics here, though a whale shark has been known to pass through; it’s about the smaller, intricate stuff. Look for the redlip blennies peeking from their holes, and the giant gobies sharing burrows with the ubiquitous snapping shrimp – you can often hear them if you listen closely. This site is brilliant for macro lovers and photographers, or anyone who just wants a relaxed, unhurried dive, especially in the late morning when the sun angle really brings out the colours.

Location

Sosua & Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Coordinates

19.339000, -69.580400

Type

reef

Marine Protected Area: Bancos de La Plata y La Navidad