DiverDave65
Contributor
Just returned from a short trip to Sosua, north coast of Dom Republic near Puerto Plata. About my 5th trip there in 7-8 years. The diving is average but the town is fun so I always make a few dives for something to do during the day.
I made several dives on the wreck Zingara, which I have been on many times before. Still a great wreck dive, altho pretty deep at 116 feet. Also made one dive on the site the locals call "mini-wall"; the reefs near Sosua are not spectacular; I go there mostly for the night life as opposed to diving.
Bad news is the lionfish infestation....I had NEVER seen a single lionfish there before and now I found 6 or so on the wreck and on one dive on a reef counted 18 lionfish on a 45 minute dive. Wish I had a speargun with me, I would have whacked them all, although it probably would have done no good.
I dove with North Coast Divers and Scuba Elite Divers, both good outfits. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive place to get certified or take an advanced course, Sosua might be a good spot.
The area was not affected by the earthquake in Haiti, although many people in town are from Haiti.
Tourism is down overall there and the place is about half empty compared to previous trips I've taken.
I made several dives on the wreck Zingara, which I have been on many times before. Still a great wreck dive, altho pretty deep at 116 feet. Also made one dive on the site the locals call "mini-wall"; the reefs near Sosua are not spectacular; I go there mostly for the night life as opposed to diving.
Bad news is the lionfish infestation....I had NEVER seen a single lionfish there before and now I found 6 or so on the wreck and on one dive on a reef counted 18 lionfish on a 45 minute dive. Wish I had a speargun with me, I would have whacked them all, although it probably would have done no good.
I dove with North Coast Divers and Scuba Elite Divers, both good outfits. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive place to get certified or take an advanced course, Sosua might be a good spot.
The area was not affected by the earthquake in Haiti, although many people in town are from Haiti.
Tourism is down overall there and the place is about half empty compared to previous trips I've taken.