With nine distinct ecological regions, the Dominican Republic attracts scuba divers, hikers, spelunkers, birders and culture hounds. From December to April, the famed offshore region of the Silver Bank fills with the haunting melody of whale song, as humpback whales come to calve. There’s also a wonderful array of scuba diving sites off every coast, including vibrant, fishy reefs, light beam-filled caverns and a long list of brag-worthy wrecks, both natural and purpose-sunk. Warm water and generally good visibility make most of the Dominican Republic a year-round destination.
The marine life in the Dominican Republic is populated by four species of marine turtles, namely the leatherback, green, loggerhead and hawksbill. These sea turtles are regularly spotted on the colorful reefs. Also commonly spotted are tropical fish species – from grazing parrotfish to butterfly and angelfish. You can also find eagle rays, eels, nurse sharks and jacks, depending on your exact location. In the warm waters near the estuaries, live the manatees which form a special treat for the few divers who spot them. In the deeper water, barracudas are often seen and a lucky few may see sharks, such as the hammerhead. Whales can be watched nursing their young at the SilverBank near Samana Bay in the right season.
The Dominican Republic is serviced by several international airports, including Punta Cana International Airport, Las Américas-JFPG International Airport, La Isabela International Airport , Cibao International Airport, Gregorio Luperón International Airport and Arroyo Barril International Airport. Nearby resorts provide the necessary shuttle services to and from the airport. Although taxi services are readily available off the street, they are very rustic.
Diving in Bayahibe is generally easy. Most of the reefs just offshore and the protected side of Saona Island have little to no current. The currents are stronger at Shark Point, Catalina Island and the western side of Saona Island, giving a good mix of beginner and advanced level diving. Don’t forget about the freshwater caves. These are easy enough for advanced...
Juan Dolio has the advantage of being a safe and gorgeous resort area and also having wonderful underwater environments to explore. Because of the protected bay and nearby protected marine areas, diving in the area is easy and enjoyable.Just off-shore, where the waves break before entering the Juan Dolio bay, you will find a well-preserved reef with a variety of life...
Diving on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is far different from that of the southern coast. The Atlantic Ocean tends to be rougher than the Caribbean Sea and many of the dive sites are deeper. However, Sosúa offers a unique environment that makes Atlantic diving accessible to even the most novice divers. Here current is minimal and most of the colorful...
With little to no current at its nearby reefs, scuba diving in La Romana is fairly easy. Saona Island has a mix of advanced and beginner dives. Its protected western side offers shallow reefs whereas its eastern side has stronger currents, bringing in larger fish. And don’t forget about the freshwater caves. While easy enough for advanced divers, tec divers will...
The coastline of Punta Cana is home to the longest reef in the country which stretches north to Bavaro. Here you’ll find an exciting variety of dive environments from caves and canyons to shallow reefs and wrecks. Night diving is a popular excursion in front of Punta Cana Resort. Nearly all of the dive sites in the area are shallow, making this a great place to pick...
Diving on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is far different from that of the southern coast. The Atlantic Ocean tends to be rougher than the Caribbean Sea and the visibility is severely impacted. However, Samana Bay and nearby Las Galeras and Las Terrenas have become popular diving destinations as a consequence of their above-the-water appeal. In most of...
While Santo Domingo and Boca Chica may not be the most desirable destinations in the Dominican Republic, they do offer some of the best dive sites around the island. This is due to the area’s protected bay and nearby Underwater National Park. In addition, Santo Domingo has long been a center of commerce in the New World, so it follows that many historical wrecks sit...