Silver Bank
Dominican Republic · Atlantic Ocean
Silver Bank is a shallow Atlantic seamount where 5,000+ humpback whales gather each winter to mate and calve — one of the world's two licensed in water humpback swim destinations (the other is Tonga). Snorkel/freedive only; no scuba.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Reefs show some signs of recovery, but occasional thermal stress events are noted. Divers can expect to see a variety of reef fish and some healthy coral patches in protected areas.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · Reef Check surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 30% to 25%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 30% |
| 2024 | 25% |
What you will see
15 species across the dive sites here
Common Gallinule
Seen 21 days ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Palmchat
Seen 21 days ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
Seen 26 days ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Bark Anole
Seen 1 month ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Greater Antillean Grackle
Seen 1 month ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Nurse Shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Punta Cana
Vulnerable
Humpback whale
Seen 3 months ago
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Southern stingray
Seen 4 months ago
at Punta Cana
Near threatened
Blue Tang
Seen 4 months ago
at Punta Cana
Least concern
Great Barracuda
Seen Apr 2024
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Ballyhoo
Seen Apr 2024
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Bottlenose dolphin
Seasonal visitor
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Bryde's whale
Seasonal visitor
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Spinner dolphin
Seasonal visitor
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Humpback calf
Rare sighting
at Silver Bank Humpback Swim
Least concern
Dive sites
What divers say
Eye contact with a humpback calf and its mother holding station 5m below — I'll never see anything more powerful.
Good to know
Swim ethics
Strict in water rules: 30m approach distance, no chasing, guide led only.