It is considered one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, with important conservation of the country’s coastal-marine biodiversity.
In an area of 119,925.5 square meters, renovation work is being carried out on the emblematic and symbolic La Caleta Underwater National Park, located 20 kilometers from Greater Santo Domingo and in front of the Las Américas International Airport (Aila), Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez.
It is the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic and in the entire Caribbean, with an area of ten square kilometers. Its boundaries extend from Las Golondrinas, west of the town of La Caleta, and end at the AILA airport, route 66.
One of the attractions of this park is that its visitors can do water sports, specifically scuba diving or free diving, a space that is very popular with lovers of the marine world and with the schools of this discipline that teach classes in the country.
They restore the park
On June 23, 2023, the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced the restoration work of the park, and the reorganization of its surroundings and surrounding areas.
The renovation of this protected area includes a 2.74-kilometer promenade commemorating the countries of America and the Caribbean, a shopping plaza, recreational areas and viewing points.
It will also have new pedestrian paths, children’s play areas, parking lots, a module with pergolas for vendors, offices and bathrooms. In addition, 44 monoliths, the Taíno Ethnological and Archaeological Museum, and the restaurant will be renovated, among others.
This project also includes the construction of an exit to the AILA airport, and will have a service module for the Central Directorate of Tourism Police (Politur) with offices and bathrooms. This work will have an investment of RD$395,404,271.9.
Marine Wealth
The La Caleta Underwater Park is considered one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world with important conservation of the coastal-marine biodiversity of the Dominican Republic.
Its underwater area has a maximum depth of 180 metres. It also has three defined reef terraces, placed parallel to the coastline.
Sinking of the Hickory
According to press reports, the sinking of the famous ship Hickory in the waters of La Caleta on December 20, 1984, gave way to the creation of the Submarine Park, a process that was completed in about twenty minutes.
The towing and sinking operation of the ship was coordinated by the Navy, the Underwater Research Group (ISG) and Captain Tracy Brawden.
Commander Brawden captained the Hickory in rescue efforts involving several galleons off the country’s Atlantic coasts.
Its descent was to a depth of approximately 60 feet.
That year, an artificial reef was created after the ship sank to help promote underwater life.
“La Caleta Underwater Park” declared
On December 5, 1986, President Joaquín Balaguer declared, through decree 1026-86-249, an area of the Caribbean Sea, “La Caleta Submarine Park.”
The provision states: “An area of the Caribbean Sea, its waters and the seabed, off the coast of the La Caleta section, is hereby declared a National Park and subject to the regime of Law No. 67, under the name La Caleta Underwater Park.”
The head of state adopted this measure because the underwater area of La Caleta had “suffered deterioration in its fauna and flora, as a result of both overfishing and the indiscriminate extraction of corals and other marine organisms.”
They consider restoring the park to be positive
Máximo Soriano, district director of the municipality of La Caleta, described the project as a great economic advance for the community, since he believes it will benefit the residents of the area.
“I think it is a great help for the people of Caleta who will also have a source of income, that is to say, we are truly proud that the President of the Republic and the Minister of Tourism have thought of returning this joy to the people of Caleta which will have repercussions throughout the country,” said Soriano.
The community members of La Caleta also welcomed the reconstruction work being carried out in the park, which had been abandoned for many years.
“It will help the community, it is an achievement for the sector. It will benefit those who live here, even those who live far away can come and enjoy themselves here in this park,” said Mr. Pedro Bueno.
