The Amber Cove things to do in Sosua list was put together for Carnival cruise passengers who learn about this town and its attractions as a day tour destination. Located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, and one of the most beautiful destinations of Puerto Plata, Sosua is a stunning beach town that has attracted both local and international visitors for many years, including also visitors from Taino Bay port.

Beyond its pristine beaches, the town has a lot to offer in terms of adventure, gastronomy, and culture. Amber Cove passengers can reach Sosua within 35 minutes, and spend a day enjoying plenty of activities to choose from. Here’s a comprehensive list of things to do while you’re visiting:

1. Sosua Beach

Arguably the town’s main attraction, Sosua Beach is a crescent-shaped coastline with soft golden sand and clear blue waters. It’s the perfect spot for sunbathing, beach volleyball, or simply taking in the picturesque view of the bay. There are dozens of bars, restaurants, gift shops and water activities to choose from. This can be considered the excursion hub in Sosua, as many are water sports available on the beach.

Sosua Beach looks perfect.

2. Snorkeling

Sosua’s underwater world is vibrant and diverse. Rent some snorkeling gear and explore the coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, starfish, and other marine life. The Catamaran and yacht excursions include snorkeling as part of the deal. Preferred spots are the Three Rocks, Sosua Bay, and the Canyon.

Snorkeling is popular in Sosua.

3. Private Catamaran Charter

For a more luxurious experience, charter a private catamaran. Sail the serene waters, sunbathe on the deck, and relish the beauty of the coastline while you party with family and best friends. This adventure is featured in the Amber Cove things to do page.

The charter makes various stops in all the key snorkeling spots and secluded, pristine beaches; jump into the water and visit the grotto, coral heads and all the natural scenery Sosua has to offer. The Sosua Catamaran experience tops the bucket list, guaranteed.

Cruise passengers enjoying a Sosua Catamaran private charter.

4. SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding)

Challenge your balance and core strength by renting a paddle board. The calm waters of Sosua Beach make it an ideal place for both beginners and pros. Various tour operators offer Stand Up Paddle service at the beach, available all day from 8am to 5pm.

SUP is a great sport to try

5. Sports Fishing

Fancy catching some marlin, tuna, or mahi-mahi? Book a sports fishing trip and head into deeper waters for an adventurous day out. The tour departs from Sosua Bay and heads out into open ocean, along the coast of Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete.

Sports fishing is available in Sosua.

6. Diving

From underwater caves to spectacular coral formations, diving in Sosua is a must. There are several dive shops that offer courses and excursions for all levels, with certified professionals from all over the world. Visit the Sosua diving page for a full list of all the diving shops available at the beach.

Diving is also very popular in Sosua

7. Yacht Party

For those looking to party in style, book a Sosua yacht party. Dance to the beats of Caribbean music as you cruise along the coastline. The charter includes music, crew, snorkel gear, food, and drinks. The 5pm shift extends beyond the sunset, great for birthday parties with other boats docked close together.

Yacht party in Sosua Bay

8. Merengue Dancing

Merengue is the heart and soul of Dominican culture. Join the locals at a club or bar, and sway to the intoxicating rhythms of this traditional dance. Find yourself in a local bar enjoying great cocktails and the local vibes of Merengue.

Merengue dance

9. Bars & Restaurants

Sosua boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous bars and restaurants. Indulge in local delicacies, sip on tropical cocktails, and immerse yourself in the Dominican way of life. Cathy Et Rémy is one of the places we love, to try the Canadian taste for drinks and food; or great cocktails such as the B52 we got featured below, prepared by Cathy.

This restaurant is all about French food, with a nice menu for those who know the best of pure Francophonie; The menu includes a variety of Poisson ( fish dishes ), 5 varieties of Poutine (a dish originating from the Canadian province of Quebec, consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy); and Poulet (chicken ) dishes such as the Swiss Cordon Bleu, wings, and and pineapple and coconut chicken.

Cathy et Rémy Beach Bar

Another great restaurant to try is the Mofongo King, dedicated to this plantain-based dish, very popular in the island. Be it with pork rinds, shrimp, chicken, crab or other varieties ( endless choices if customer knows what they want ) it’s hard to beat this restaurant. The bartender is highly skilled and can fix a wide variety of cocktails, we put him to the test and he delivered.

Mofongo King in Sosua

10. Gift Shops

Hunt for souvenirs in the numerous gift shops dotted around town. From handcrafted jewelry to local art, you’ll find the perfect memento of your trip. Many shops are featured in this website since 2018, and many are of the top 10 gift shops we recommend in Sosua Beach.

11. Crystal Kayaking

Venture beyond the beach and paddle through Sosua’s serene waters, exploring hidden coves and secluded beaches. The view of the reef and fish from the clear kayaks is amazing, specially from 9am to 3pm when the sun is truly bright. The kayaks are available at the beach, right by the parking area.

Crystal kayaks are a fun way to watch coral fish

12. Banana Boats

Hold on tight as you ride the waves on a banana boat. It’s a thrilling experience that’s sure to leave you exhilarated. The Sosua banana boats are available all day at the beach, and take visitors to the shores of Sosua beach, all the way to Alicia beach and back. It is a great experience for younger ones to feel the water jumping, and eventually fall and float waiting to be “rescued“.

Banana boats in Sosua beach

13. Powered Snorkel

Take snorkeling to the next level with Sosua powered snorkel devices. These underwater propulsion systems allow you to cover more ground and dive deeper than traditional snorkeling. These units can be rented by the hour from Sosua Beach, by Correa Tours.

Powered snorkel in sosua

14. Alicia Beach

A quieter alternative to Sosua Beach, Alicia Beach offers a serene environment. Its turquoise waters and tranquil ambiance make it perfect for relaxation. This tour can be arranged via our concierge or most travel agents that offer day tours to Amber Cove passengers. The beach is flanked and serviced by two restaurants, Stevens and the Waterfront, both bringing your order straight to your lounger by the beach.

Alicia beach

15. Monkey Jungle

Just a short drive from Sosua, Monkey Jungle is a must-visit. This reserve offers zip-lining adventures amidst capuchin monkeys that freely roam the grounds. It is the best monkey experience in the island, featuring the experience in a large, natural enclosure that lets the monkeys come to visitors from a very relaxed, natural experience.

Capuchin Monkeys

16. ATV Adventures

Kick up some dust and explore Sosua’s backroads and hidden trails on an ATV. It’s an adrenaline-pumping way to discover the town’s rugged terrain. The tour explores rivers, forests, a waterfall, farmlands and the beautiful outback of the North Dominican Republic. Visit the Sosua ATV page for more information and booking.

ATV adventures in the hill lands

In conclusion, Sosua is not just a beach town—it’s a world filled with adventure, culture, and unparalleled beauty. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a relaxation enthusiast, this town has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the myriad of experiences that await you in this Dominican paradise. The Amber Cove things to do in Sosua list is brought to you courtesy of Sosua Beach, we hope you visit us soon on your next Carnival cruise trip.

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On Video: Fishing in Sosua

There are several fishing yachts available, all equipped with crew, bait, fishing gear, GPS, radio and other navigation equipment. The tours have a schedule of 8am-1 and 1-5pm, although in some cases if a large specimen is on the line that might alter the schedule 30-60 minutes. For more information contact 1-561-430-2021 or visit the fishing tour page.

P.D. some endangered species such as the billfish (Marlin, Sailfish) and also the Goliath Grouper and Caribbean Parrotfish should be treated under the catch and release term. They’re great for sports fishing and photo ops, and releasing them ensures a healthy supply for the sport.

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Sosua catamaran cruise is one of the top 5  tour experiences when visiting the Puerto Plata region, departing from Sosua Beach where snorkeling, parties and yacht tours are common everyday as the number of visitors grows with each year. Nautical activities include yacht party, sailing, banana boats, diving, snorkeling and more recently, Dominican catamaran weddings.

A private catamaran cruise in Sosua is an exciting tour.

Private Catamaran

Private catamaran charters are in demand these days, and sometimes it takes booking a few months ahead to secure a specific, special date. There are only 2 catamarans in Sosua, no wonder why.  One is a Lagoon 52 and the second one is a Privilege 52 custom design.

The only difference among the two is the number of bedrooms, the Lagoon has 2 and the Privilege 52 has 4; and the fact that one is a motor yacht with sailing capabilities, the other only motor powered. We love Lagoon models, specially the dual powered ones. The lagoon includes a flybridge, great for the vistas.

On Video:

Privilege 52: Sleek design, Spacious Interiors

The catamaran featured here today is the Privilege 52 custom model, which is a wide body sailing yacht with double hull, very spacious salon, full kitchen, console, 4 berth cabins, 4 bathrooms, and a flat, no flybridge sleek design that truly makes a 360-degree view as a true cat should be.

The interior feels like a sailing yacht more than an actual catamaran, with its great layout distribution. It is pristine inside, and the berth cabins can do the job for someone who wants to take a quick nap or escape from the group for a minute, with air conditioning and ventilation hatch.

Sosua Sailing and Snorkeling

The scenic beauty of the North Atlantic coast of the island provides great reef interaction for tourists, finding an interesting group of marine species such as the Sergeant Major, found in shallow waters in Sosua Bay, also in deeper reefs. Yellow tail Snapper is also a species you can see when snorkeling in Sosua. Also Sea Horses, Tangs, Chromis, Squirrel Fish, Angel Fish, Parrot Fish and other interesting species. See them all at the Sosua marine life page.

Tour Information:

The Sosua catamaran cruise is available 3 times a day from 9am-1pm, 1-5pm and 5-9pm for sunset cruises; the 4 hr private charter cost is US$1,350.00 for groups of 1-20 people; extra guests cost $25/person, and max capacity is 25 people. Departure is from Sosua Beach, guests get to board a Yamaha outboard fast boat to ferry them to the catamaran docked in the Sosua Bay.

Hit the button above  to visit the Sosua Catamaran page for the full selection of yachts, booking information and availability.

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A catamaran has a wider surface than a yacht, more deck per square foot so more people can fit; also it is more stable so people are less prone to being seasick, and it includes plenty of lounge areas, a trampoline and BBQ.

The beautiful Sosua Catamaran over Three Rocks coral heads

The reservation schedule for the Sosua beach Catamaran party offers morning and afternoon private charters, 9am-1pm and 1-5pm; on some occasions the catamaran can be booked for sunset cruises from 5-8pm. It includes crew, snacks, snorkel gear, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, bathrooms and interior lounge plus the outdoor ones.

The max capacity is 30 people, and rates start at $1,100.00 for a group of 1-18 people. Larger numbers just need to quote $20 extra per person. Fine local and international catering can be ordered from the local restaurants on request.

This tour sails across the coast of local beaches, stopping at great spots such as Three Rocks. You can see it from the 360 degree view shown here. To book Whatsapp or call 1-809-377-2038 or Book online with the Concierge: Sosua catamaran here. USA/CAN line: 1-561-266-0251.

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Stand Up Paddle boarding in Sosua can be a lot of fun

Most SUP users start straight from Sosua Beach, then paddle all the way to Alicia beach, past Casa Marina Beach and Imbert Beach near the Three Rocks snorkel site. This tour is available through the Sosua Concierge and several tour operators in Sosua Beach.

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Map of Sosua Dive Sites

This list of diving sites can also be found in the pages of the diving centers of Sosua Beach, and if you want to have a preview of the marine species that inhabit the North Coast, visit the Sosua marine life page in this website.

The Top Sosua Dive Sites

The Zingara Wreck:

This sunken, 36-meter coastal freighter was stripped of hazards and prepared specifically for scuba diving, purposely sunk in 1993. Now it is covered in coral, plants and sponges, home to fish and other species. Although considered very safe with no hazards, the Zingara is for advanced divers.

Among the species found in this wreck are Caribbean parrotfish, lionfish, French grunts, French angelfish, snappers, bluehead wrasse, reef squid, green moray eels, Anemones,  Barracudas and even sharks sometimes. You can also see American stingrays at 36 meters depth. Its adjacent reef wall allows divers to explore the marine life while gradually ascending for the safety stops.

Inside the ship, there is plenty of space to explore, and a large school of grunts follow you all the time. The machine room still shows the engine block in one piece. The Zingara is located off the coast of Sosua between Playa Chiquita and Playa Laguna. Its GPS coordinates are 19° 47′ 10.788″ N, 70° 30′ 9.04″ W and takes about a 15 minute ride in a boat departing from Sosua Beach.

Video of the Zingara Wreck, by Dive Center Merlin:

The Airport Wall:

Considered one of the best dive sites in Sosua, the airport wall offers one of the richest experience for divers visiting the North Coast of Dominican Republic. This vertical reef wall sits along the length of the POP airport near Sosua, easily accessed within minutes by boat from Sosua Beach. The dive begins at 33 feet and drops to 98 feet.

Coral and marine life is abundant here, as large and small fish shelter inside the crevices, overhangs, and protrusions. Species such as cleaner crabs, shrimps, tangs, grunts, wrasses, angelfish, and other beautiful tropical fish can be seen in the reef. hard and soft corals, nudibranchs, sponges and sea fans are part of the flora, and the occasional mantas, barracuda, reef shark, and eagle rays.

The average depth of this dive site is 59 feet, and the maximum depth 118 feet. Airport wall`s visibility ranges from 32 ft -98 ft, depending on the weather conditions. Its average water temperature is 28°C/82.4°F; due to its open water location, it is affected by oceanic currents. There are swim through caves and tunnels that make this one of the best diving experiences in Sosua.

Video of Airport Wall, by Dive Center Merlin:

Three Rocks:

Perhaps the best known of all diving and snorkeling sites in Sosua, Three Rocks consists of 3 rock pinnacles about 300 meters off the coast of Imbert Beach. This is an ideal diving and snorkeling area for beginners, who can also get to feed reef fish such as the sergeant major, bluehead wrasse, French grunt, and blue tang.

The dive starts at 3 meters (10ft), with a slope that has a max. depth of 9 meters (27ft); each rock is surrounded by a sandy bottom, home to many tropical fish. There are also other species such as moray eels, stingray, peacock flounder, and yellow tail snappers. These coral heads are famous among daily snorkeling and diving tours visiting Sosua in boats and catamaran tours every day. Nearby the Three Rocks there is a coral nursery and artificial reef.

Video of  Three Rocks, by Dive Center Merlin:

Coral Gardens

Located near the Three Rocks diving site, the Coral Gardens host the Sosua Bay rejuvenation project, a coral restoration initiative by a group of dedicated divers from the local diving centers. There are several man-made domes with staghorn coral growth in rope structures. This coral nursery is the most important conservation program ever done to enhance the diving areas of Sosua.

After the first coral garden, there is an outer reef wall called Coral Garden II. This wall is a 40m (130ft) sloping dive with numerous coral caverns, large rocks and mazes. The dive starts at 20m(66ft), and here you can find lobsters, turtles, small and big fish.  Many sponges populate this area, also whips and sea fans.

Diving here is available year-round. Visibility is around 30m(98ft) and the average temperature is 27-29C/81-84F. This diving area is reached within 5 minutes by boat from Sosua Beach, and the species divers can see here are queen angelfish, yellow stingrays, cushion sea stars, lobster, grunts, spotted sand snake eels, giant Moray eels and others.

Video of Coral Gardens by Troy Iloski

Ray Point

Just as its name implies, this reef wall offers refuge to different stingrays, at times including Eagle and Manta rays. It is located in front of Playa Chiquita, starts at 23m(76ft) and drops to 40(130ft). The reef has Caribbean reef fish such as blue tangs, blue chromis, squirrel fish, barjacks, and even dolphins cruising by on some dives. This site is best for advanced divers, and the experience is a must do when visiting Sosua Beach for diving purposes.

Video of Ray Point by Northern Coast Diving

Night Dive at Ray Point

West Wall & La Puntilla:

Parallel to Sosua Bay`s coast line, this wall offers quite an interesting dive with its four fallen boulder passages and crevices, where lobster, barracuda, rays, seahorses, moray eels and crabs are swimming and hiding. The maximum depth  here is 20m(130ft), the wall starts at 5m(15ft) and drops to 20(66ft).

Species found there on a dive are also porcupine fish, sergeant major, blue chromis, sand diver, smooth trunkfish and grey angel fish. The uneven terrain makes it a great place for species to live in, and for divers to watch many tropical species. Its location is pretty close, right at the outside of Sosua Bay and close to the mini wall dive site.

Video of West Wall by Scuba Bill

Mini Wall:

About a kilometer away from the shores and just outside of Sosua Beach, the Mini Wall is a 33m(110ft) dive reachable from the beach within 4 minutes. The wall starts at 15m(50ft) and its canyons slope down to its max depth. Caverns and crevices in this dive spot host various species such as angelfish, grunts, spotted moray eels, trumpet fish, and also anemones.

Coral pinnacles are surrounded by schools of fish, also seahorses. Blue chromis are common here, and the invasive lionfish species. Baby Caribbean squid and juvenile barracudas swim by and sometimes stop to check out divers. Various types of coral grace the dive, including brain and rough cactus ones.

Video by Jason Fox

Palmeras & Pyramids:

Located between the airport and Sosua Bay, Pyramids and Palmeras are two iconic diving sites. The first offers several swim throughs, and the second has intricate rock formations. These two dive sites require PADI open water certification, easily accessible within a few minutes departing from Sosua Bay.

Most tours start in Palmeras, the drift dive to reach pyramids. Among the species found here there are blue tangs, peacock flounder, yellow tail snapper, spotfin butterfly fish, sea urchins and other. The corals have vibrant colors and varied, perfect for those who are into underwater photography.

Video of Palmeras by Dive Center Merlin:

Canyon

A favorite for underwater photography, Canyon is a one of a kind dive. Lot of schooling fish swimming by, wrasses, Sergeant majors, tangs, yellow tail. The reef is located in the middle of Sosua Bay, actually called canyon I & II. It has a max depth of 30 feet (9m) inside the wall.

Spiny lobster can be found among the crevices and coral, and blue tang and blue Chromis mingle with other species such as the French grunt.

Inside the reef, a sandy bottom holds a rock pinnacle famous in most of the photos and videos of this dive site. Moray eels are found peeking out of the rocks, also arrow crabs, frogfish, and looking up there can be Tuna and Barracuda swimming by.

Lighting is good on a sunny day, so bring the camera when you dive here. The Canyon is suitable to all levels, beginners and experienced. Sosua diving centers have this site mapped and can arrange tours from Monday to Sunday.

Video of Canyon by Bwinski:

Five Rocks

Set between the airport wall and Sosua Bay, this dive site is named after the 5 large rock pinnacles that start at a depth of 13 feet (4m) and drop to 85 feet(26m). Coral is abundant here, so many species make their home among this site: Lion fish, Trumpet fish, Squirrel fish, bluehead wrasse, French Grunts, crabs, and other species.

The rocks are spread around 100 meters, provide plenty of light for photography. Reaching the site by boat takes about 7-8 minutes departing from Sosua Beach.

Video of Five Rocks by Dive Center Merlin:

Larimar ( Paradise )

Considered one of the best diving sites in Sosua to get open water course training ( PADI), Paradise/Larimar is ideal for advanced divers. The top of this reef is 60 ft (18m) and slopes to 100+(30m) depth. The site is divided in two by local divers, because there is Larimar I ( shallower ) and Larimar II (deeper).

Many of the species common to the area inhabits these reefs, such as the blue Chromis, yellow head wrasse, French grunts, grouper, blue tangs, and moray eels. Lionfish, trumpetfish, octopus and hermit crabs are seen in the videos.

Video of Larimar by Scuba Bill

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On video: Monkey Jungle by Tyler D.

The zip line tour includes 7 certified stations, a grotto and a gun range where shooting enthusiasts can practice with several handguns in a secured area. The zip line tour costs around $55 and the Jungle with monkeys $28;

Squirrel Monkey at the Monkey Jungle Dominican Republic

Children 3-11 have a discounted rate, also combos when booking both tours. All local tour operators book this tour, and it is recommended to book it with transportation instead of driving up the hill road of El Choco. You can book it via the Sosua Concierge.

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