Diving Sosua

[Dive Monster 07]

Has anyone Dove Sosua In the Dominican republic if so with who and how was it.

 

[Matteo]

I have not, but I know a guy who lived there for a year and a half. From what he said, the people living inland use their rivers as trash dumps and of course these rivers empty into the sea. Thus, he said the diving there is pretty much an underwater landfill. Do yourself a favor and if you're dead-set on doing some diving in the D.R., go to the south side of the island and dive out of Bayahibe/La Roman with Scuba Fun. Excellent dive operation!

 

[DiverDave65]

Been to Sosua several times....diving is average to below average, esp for the Carribean. I've dove with Dolphin dive Center (good bunch), North coast Divers (most expensive) and one other outfit I can't even remember. Lots of dive shops to choose from right on the beach. The wreck is pretty good diving, everything else is washed out dying coral reefs, lousy vis, not much to see, etc.
I go to Sosua for other "entertainment" so diving is just a sidelight, anyway; something to do during the day and keeps your diving skills sharp.
If you are looking for really good diving and that is the purpose of your trip....I would not recommend it.
If you're going to Sosua to party and have fun anyway, then go for it!! I've made a lot of dives there and enjoyed most of them.
It's still the ocean, the Caribbean and much better than freezing your %ss off in the states this time of year.

 

[mntlblok]

Did a bit of diving in Sosua Bay last month. Some photos posted on Flickr. Had been on several dives in the Bahamas on which others had seen lionfish, but I had still never seen one. Finally got to see some here. I reckon those rascals will take over the whole Atlantic.

DiverDave's assessments still hold - especially the "entertainment" part. Highly recommended. Another aspect of Northern Coast, besides seemingly being the most recommended shop, is that it is located in the "fun" area, rather than *way* down the hill where the other shops are (very) conveniently located - next to the coco loco truck. *Long* walk, especially if you're carrying camera gear. Shoulda hired a motoconcho.

The diving that I experienced seemed geared almost totally toward new divers, which was fine with me as shallow dives allow me more bottom time, giving me time for more photos so as to "prove" that I really was diving down there. Actually, I would have to say that I found plenty to see, and Jake with the Swiss Diving School even found me my first baby mantis shrimp. Good thing I had the extra strong "readers" in my mask.

A unique aspect to the diving is the "shore" entry. You carry all your gear, tank on your back, from the fairly close-by shop area near the beach over to the beach, where a surprisingly small, open boat comes into the shallows. You hand your gear over the side, avoiding the pointy bow of the boat with your chin as it bobs in the small surf, and then climb in over the side onto the parallel rows of benches. Even with my camera housing and two strobe arms, the arrangement was surprisingly "doable", even with ten divers on the little craft. One shop had you take turns gearing up and getting in, and another shop encouraged putting your gear on after first throwing your tank and BC into the water. I'll be better at avoiding getting my octopus inside my cumberbun next time.

Everyone with whom I dealt related to the dive operations were fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised with the professionalism shown by some of the instructors. Ran into a bunch of Canadians on holiday on the little dive boats. Great folks. Coulda been Aussies, they were so pleasant.

Feel free to PM me about any aspect of visiting the north coast of DR. It is a fantastically beautiful place, even if a bit "third world" in some ways. Who woulda thunk you could fit ten people into a "publico" taxi? I'm still a newbie, but a rather enlightened one.

Working on getting photos finalized of my trip to Tiger Beach last November with JASA. Report to (eventually) follow.

Kevin
Savannah
Sosua Bay, DR 2009 - a set on Flickr
Sosua Bay, DR with Swiss Jake - a set on Flickr

Been to Sosua several times....diving is average to below average, esp for the Carribean. I've dove with Dolphin dive Center (good bunch), North coast Divers (most expensive) and one other outfit I can't even remember. Lots of dive shops to choose from right on the beach. The wreck is pretty good diving, everything else is washed out dying coral reefs, lousy vis, not much to see, etc.
I go to Sosua for other "entertainment" so diving is just a sidelight, anyway; something to do during the day and keeps your diving skills sharp.
If you are looking for really good diving and that is the purpose of your trip....I would not recommend it.
If you're going to Sosua to party and have fun anyway, then go for it!! I've made a lot of dives there and enjoyed most of them.
It's still the ocean, the Caribbean and much better than freezing your %ss off in the states this time of year.

 

[DRsharky]

I don't know when you are planing your trip, but the diving conditions in Sosua area are not that great at this moment. My, friend who used to work in one of the dive shops there told me couple days ago that there was no diving for past 6 or 7 weeks. I don't know if that's true, but the ocean has been rough for a while there.
I used to live on the north coast, dove there for 2 years, diving was good until I came to the south - Caribbean side. WOW, what a difference. North is the Atlantic ocean, people mostly go there for surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and then great night life.
Here the water is much calmer and the diving conditions better.

 

[DRsharky]

Kevin,
Great pictures on Flickr! Some divers come to dive to find BIG stuff, some people (including me) enjoy every little creature under water, taking pictures and enjoying every minute of a dive, no matter where it is.

 

[mntlblok]

Thanks, Sharky. Some day I'll learn to discriminate and weed out some shots. Maybe. I reckon that I, too, usually find a way to enjoy myself most all the time.

Kevin

Kevin,
Great pictures on Flickr! Some divers come to dive to find BIG stuff, some people (including me) enjoy every little creature under water, taking pictures and enjoying every minute of a dive, no matter where it is.

 

[Pelagicus]

Looks like the original posting was back in Dec 2007. I agree with DiverDave's rating (avg to below avg). Nice pix Kevin. I just returned today from my 2nd trip to DR, diving in Sosua this time. My first trip diving in Punta Cana was better. My wife does not dive and is quite selective with the resorts & spas, so I don't always dive in the best locations.

The coral reefs in the Sosua area (and probably in all of DR) are not protected. People in the party boats are always throwing plastic cups and beer bottles overboard. A large ship even dropped anchor right on top of the poor coral reef. According to our DM, Jonnie, this was the 1st time he's seen that. He was as appalled as the rest of us dive-tourists. The anchor was about 5 ft wide with chain links that were about 5 in long. Punta Cana didn't have a problem with garbage in the water. On many dives, the DM and I had both of our BC pockets full of garbage we collected.

Despite the below avg diving, I did manage to see all the sea life, which Kevin documented in his pix. I just enjoy being underwater regardless of the conditions.

 

[Robert van Brussel]

Hi Pelagicus,
Just for your information, the south side (the area of Bayahibe) is the real caribbean.
You can not compare this part of the Island with the north side (atlantic ocean)
Untill now there are 6 resorts/spa's located in that area: Hotel Catalonia Gran Dominicus, Hotel Coral Canoa, Iberostar, Viva Wyndham Dominicus, Viva Palace Wyndham and Dreams Hotel.
So for sure your wife could find a resort/spa what fits on here...........and you could dive in the caribbean part!! And you are right about the protection of the reefs, they supost to be protected but there is no control on it............unfortunaly!

Nice Dives

Robert

Promarine Watersport

 

[DRsharky]

...
The coral reefs in the Sosua area (and probably in all of DR) are not protected. People in the party boats are always throwing plastic cups and beer bottles overboard. A large ship even dropped anchor right on top of the poor coral reef..... On many dives, the DM and I had both of our BC pockets full of garbage we collected.

While I was living in Sosua area, the dive shop I worked with started together with National Geography a program how to protect the marine life and corals. They did it in Mexico long time ago and it works, so now the Mexican fishermen educate fishermen from other countries. They were talking to Dominicans and explaining them that if they protect the area, they will have actually more fish then now. But it's a long time process.

The garbage going to the water from the party boats is the responsibility of the tour operators or dive shop operators. Unfortunately some of them don't care about nature only about money.

And the big anchors being dropped on reefs!!! Yes I saw that in Sosua bay few times, always unhooked the anchor and moved it to a safe place, so it doesn't damage the reefs more. Some rich people think they can do whatever they want because they have money.

Look at the simple map of our area to see the resorts, I am pretty sure you wife would be happy here.