ORO VERDE - Sosua & Puerto Plata

The Oro Verde. She’s not deep, which means more bottom time, and frankly, we love that. This old cargo ship, measuring in at 54.9 metres, went down just outside Sosua Bay back in '91. She was headed for Miami, apparently, but hit something hard on her way out. Now she rests in about three metres of water. It's a proper playground, especially for anyone keen on wreck penetration without the usual depth anxiety. You can actually swim through the cargo holds, where shafts of sunlight cut through the deck openings, illuminating schools of tiny silversides that flicker like scattered glitter. Our favourite spot is usually the engine room; it’s a bit darker in there, and the resident snapper always seems to be eyeing you from a shadowy corner. The coral growth is surprising given the shallowness, soft corals sway gently with the surge, and the metal is encrusted with sponges in shades of purple and orange. Visibility can vary, but generally, it’s good, letting you appreciate the sheer scale of the wreck. It’s a site that proves you don’t need extreme depths for an engaging dive.

Location

Sosua & Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Coordinates

18.205000, -71.066666

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

3m

Marine Protected Area: Humedales del Bajo Yaque del Sur