About

I have seen this reef break go epic after the cold fronts move through in the winter. once the winds turn west of north, it is offshore conditions with an amazingly remote feeling once you are on the bank. the whales are spectacular as well, you can even get in the water and float right next to them.

Atmosphere:
in the winter, any cold front in the north atlantic could send a swell south to this area. as the northwest/north/northeast swell hits the shallow reef area, the angle of the reef to the swell produces many breaks around the shipwreck.

also, in the winter months, humpback whales from the northwest atlantic region migrate to the silver bank to mate, calf and nurse the newborn baby whales. the government of the dominican republic requires all vessels traveling to the silver bank to obtain a permit if they are involved in whale watching practices.

Additional Info:
when you find the silver bank on nautical charts of the area between the north coast of the dominican republic and the eastern edge of the turks and caicos islands, notice no islands are in this area. what you have is a shallow bank area (average 80 ft. depth)with a large barrier reef running down the eastern side. the barrier reef orientation is north west to south east as it stretches almost 60 miles north to south and in the shallowist areas, dries at low water. the best spot for waves is around the old shipwreck. this area also provides the best anchorage area for your boat. only attempt the trip onto the bank directly west of the old wreck (traveling east) with the sun high above or at your back in the early afternoon to provide good visibility of the coral heads.

Location

Access

shipwrecks is on the north east section of reef in an area known as `the silver bank' 70 miles north of puerto plata. you will need a good boat, food, water and the desire to endure some rough ocean conditions to travel to the silver bank just to get a look at the wave. you could also depart from grand turk by boat as well.

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Rips / undertow, Rocks

Videos

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