U-869 (Wrack) - New England

The Formaciones coralinas site is our pick for a really solid dive in Santa Marta. We love that it’s usually pretty calm here, making it a good choice if you’re still building confidence or just want a relaxed potter around. The coral formations themselves are a mix of brain and star corals, creating a surprisingly intricate landscape. You’ll weave through small canyons and over gentle slopes, often spotting Peppermint Bass darting into crevices. We’ve had some cracking encounters with Chain Morays here, often peeking out from under ledges. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too. Those Caribbean velvet shrimp are masters of camouflage, but if you look closely on the coral, you might just catch their subtle movements. Tarpon are often seen cruising the edges of the reef, their silver scales flashing. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light really brings out the colours of the corals and makes those shy Dwarf Gobies a little easier to spot. This site is great for macro photography, or just enjoying an unhurried exploration.

Location

New England, United States, North America

Coordinates

39.563700, -73.034400

Type

reef