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Scuba diver exploring the vibrant marine life and coral reefs of Cozumel, Mexico.
📷 Matias Mango · Pexels

Five Rocks

3.7 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 27 contributors

Five Rocks is a year-round Dominican dive site in Sosúa Bay offering healthy coral reefs and diverse marine encounters.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Visibility
20 m
Water temp
24–28°C
Shore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Visibility
20 m
Water temp
24–28 °C
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Five Rocks location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4 kn
Wave
1.04 m
Water
29°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (23%)
Now: ESE (112°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.52m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.46m)

+0.7 m+0.2 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.46m ▼ 08:00 · +0.21m ▲ 15:00 · +0.67m ▼ 21:00 · +0.32m Now +0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.45 · very high Air PM2.521 · moderate 06:30 18:41
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 9.5 1.16 8 0mm
09-19 9.9 0.92 9 7mm
09-20 8.5 0.7 8 4mm
09-21 8.3 0.66 8 7mm
09-22 7.5 0.62 8 3mm
09-23 6 0.62 8 3mm
09-24 7.6 0.9 8 1mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (24–28°C)

About this spot

Five Rocks sits in Bahía de Sosúa, a sheltered bight on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The site draws divers year-round thanks to stable conditions and minimal coral stress. The reef structure features multiple rocky formations that create natural channels and cleaning stations where marine life congregates. Schools of reef fish patrol the site regularly, and the healthy coral ecosystem supports a range of species typical to Caribbean shallow and mid-depth reefs. Access is straightforward from Sosúa, one of the island's primary dive hubs. The site works for divers at multiple skill levels, though specific depth and difficulty data should be confirmed with local operators before booking. Visibility is generally good during typical Caribbean conditions, making it suitable for both photography and exploration. The reef sits outside any marine protected area, which means standard recreational diving rules apply. Local dive shops familiar with the site can provide current conditions, seasonal weather notes, and guidance on the best times to visit for specific marine encounters. Community divers have documented 12 distinct species observations and contributed 3 videos from the site, giving a solid preview of what you'll encounter.

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 6933km · ~1595kg · €29

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 89/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 1h east · 1 day recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Five Rocks?

Five Rocks is diveable year-round. Check with local Sosúa dive operators for current conditions, as seasonal weather patterns can affect visibility and surface conditions. Hurricane season (June–November) brings rougher seas; calmer conditions typically occur November–May.

What depth and difficulty level is Five Rocks?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not available in current records. Contact local dive shops in Sosúa to confirm suitable depths and required experience level before your dive.

What marine life will I see at Five Rocks?

The site supports 12 documented species. Reef fish, groupers, and schools of jacks are common. The healthy coral shows no stress, providing habitat for cleaning stations and typical Caribbean reef fauna. Review community videos and species logs for detailed sightings.

Do I need permits to dive Five Rocks?

Five Rocks lies outside marine protected areas, so standard recreational diving applies. Check with your local dive operator for any registration requirements or site-specific guidelines before entry.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Big Blue Scuba

3.4 km
Dive centre

Merlin Divers

3.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Canyon at 5 Rocks with Divecenter Merlin Sosua

Divecenter Merlin Sosua, RD

Diving in 3 Rocks - Dominican Republic

Troy Iloski

Scuba Diving Catalina the Wall Dominican Republic

The Sea Stooges
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (90/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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