Dominican Republic

Bienvenidos - Welcome!

The heart of the Caribbean. The second largest, most geographically diverse country in the region. Occupying the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is also the Caribbean’s #1 most visited destination. As of 2017, six million travelers descend on our shores every year to bask on our iconic, palm-studded white sand beaches, and relax in our colorful coastal villages.

Best time to dive?

While you can dip in this waters year round, the best time to dive is between June and September, when the waters are calm and offer good visibility—optimal conditions for immersion. Year-round sea temperatures range between 24°C to 29°C (75°F and 84°F), allowing diving even in the middle of the North American “winter,” when temperatures hover around 25°C (77°F).

Best time to Dive?

While you can dip in this waters year round, the best time to dive is between June and September, when the waters are calm and offer good visibility—optimal conditions for immersion. Year-round sea temperatures range between 24°C to 29°C (75°F and 84°F), allowing diving even in the middle of the North American “winter,” when temperatures hover around 25°C (77°F).

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Do you offer Diving services?

Promote your services and connect with divers

Are you a Scuba diver?

Join and get the best benefits for your next trip

Sea Life

Between 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of coastline and offshore islands, marine mammals have the ideal environment in the DR’s Caribbean and Atlantic waters. Aside from Samaná’s famous humpback whales–our most prized species,

visiting Samaná’s Bay from mid-January through mid-March–manatees and turtles also have an important presence.

The endangered, herbivore West Indian Manatee lives in our estuaries and lagoons,

particularly in the north coast, where the largest number of manatees take refuge in the protected lagoon at Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuary.

Off the island of Saona, four species of turtles–the loggerhead, the green sea turtle, the leatherback turtle, and the hawksbill turtle–nest on the island’s pristine beaches. They can also be spotted in the southwest, in the waters of Jaragua National Park, another turtle-nesting site.

Coral reefs are present in varying conditions and size, many of which have become protected in an attempt to save them from the harms of heavy tourism. The most pristine coral formation is found off the coast of Montecristi, but there are also beautiful corals to see in the waters around the islands of Cayo Arena, Saona, Catalina, and off the north coast of Samaná

Dive Sites

In addition to discovering exceptional beaches along the DR’s thousand-mile long coastline,

you’ll soon realize that the DR’s underwater world—a handful of which is protected as a national park—is equally fascinating,

revealing features such as coral reefs, caves, remains of galleons, shipwrecks, and a world of multicolored marine life.

Explore 40-meter (131-foot) wall dives off the islands of Catalina and Saona,

spot turtles and eagle rays off the remote Playa Frontón in Las Galeras, or snorkel amid colorful fish at Cayo Arena.

Whether south, east, or north, certified dive and snorkel shops know the best underwater adventures.

DIVING IN PUNTA CANA

This is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. The shoreline is lined with soft white sand beaches and the corals offshore form an underwater barrier reef configuration running parallel to the coast. A well-tended coral garden, offshore wrecks and cave diving are the highlights.

DOLPHIN WRECK

Originally used for marine research, the Dolphin was sunk in 2000 off the coast of Las Terrenas, in Portillo, to create an artificial reef. Advanced divers can explore its remains lying at a whopping 28 meters of depth (92 feet).

SUNKEN GALLEONS

The remains of over 15 sunken galleons from the 14th, 16th, and 17th centuries lie in shallow waters off the shores of Montecristi and are accessible to beginner snorkelers.

ST. GEORGE SHIPWRECK

Advanced divers can descend to over 30 meters (130 feet) of depth to reach a 1998 shipwreck off the coast of Bayahíbe, where marine life thrives.

PUNTA RUCIA

A paradise for snorkeling fans, this area boasts some of the most abundant marine life in DR, with corals and sponges that surround the cay, including schools of surgeonfish, sergeant majors, damselfish, angelfish, and yellowtail snappers swimming around your feet.

ZINGARA WRECK

Exclusively for advanced divers, the Zingara is a 36-meter (118 feet) long cargo ship intentionally sunk near the coast of Sosúa in 1992. It is home to a healthy variety of corals, sponges, and fish, including giant barracudas and long green moray eels.

AIRPORT WALL

A favorite of the area, the Airport Wall is considered one of the best and most beautiful dive sites in the DR. Beginning at about 10 meters (33 feet) and dropping to almost 30 meters (98 feet), it is one of the richest sites in coral and marine life, with pinnacles and tunnels.

ATLANTIC PRINCESS SHIPWRECK

Beginner divers will appreciate the Atlantic Princess’s colorful sea life at shallow depths.

CAYOS SIETE HERMANOS

Formed by coral sands, they offer a world of underwater exploration and wildlife. Around the cayes’ shores, you’ll spot cacti, iguanas, and crabs. Underwater, submerged forests, sandy bottoms, and large rocky walls make this area a one-stop site for snorkeling, day or night diving.

DIVING IN MONTECRISTI

On the northwestern side of the country, Montecristi is for experienced divers. There are dozens of real shipwrecks from the time of the Spanish armada sunk due to weather and in battle with English and Dutch pirates. Snorkeling is wonderful at the Cayo Siete Hermanos islands. 

PIEDRA BONITA

Piedra Bonita is one of the most spectacular and unusual diving spots in the entire northeast region, available to advanced divers. Also known as La Torre, the dive begins at 60 meters (197 feet), after an initial free fall of 30 meters (98 feet).

PIEDRA MARCEL

Located off the shores of Las Terrenas, a series of rocky mounds stretched along a sand floor are home to a great variety of corals and marine life at depths ranging between 12-18 meters (39-59 feet).

 

 

 

info about Dominican Republic by godominicanrepublic.com

How to Arrive

The Dominican Republic boasts eight international airports, five cruise destinations, a variety of marinas for boats and yachts,

and domestic airstrips for private planes and charters.

Wherever you are headed in the DR, by air or by sea, choosing the right gateway is key. This is a large island, with road distances often too great to cover in a single day. For example, traveling overland between the Punta Cana and Puerto Plata airports can take up to seven hours. Picking the right arrival and departure gateway closest to your final destination is therefore crucial,

and will save you time and money.

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