La Caleta Underwater National Park
Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta
A small marine national park near the airport, famous for the Hickory shipwreck reef and coral dive sites, and the most popular diving spot near the capital.
The park was established in 1986 to protect the coral reefs off La Caleta's coast. The best known attraction is the Hickory, a salvage vessel deliberately sunk in 1984, which at a depth of about 18 meters is now covered in coral and sponges and teeming with fish. There are also underwater statues with Taíno cultural themes. Diving or snorkeling must be booked through dive shops in the Bocachica area, and the Open Water certification allows you to dive the wreck. The park is about 30 kilometers from the Colonial Zone and about 5 minutes from the Las Américas International Airport.
Opening hours
Daytime (per dive shop schedule)
Nearby sights
- Boca Chica
- Los Tres Ojos
- National Aquarium
- Faro a Colón
- Fortaleza Ozama
- Calle Las Damas
- National Pantheon
- Museo de las Casas Reales