Diving

An unimaginable world of underwater beauty can be found diving La Romana - Bayahibe, one of the Caribbean’s best sites for open water, ship wreck and cave diving.

Enjoy the underwater wonders of the Dominican Republic with a professional team ready to guide you. La Romana Bayahibe has some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean.  

Be prepared to be entranced, dive in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, among spectacularly colored reefs, for an unforgettable experience.

Underwater archeological sites dot the coast and accessible by visitation to the Underwater Living Museums, including the sunken galleon, the Cara Merchant, last vessel of the renown pirate Capitan Kidd.

Not a diver? Get certified!  International PADI certification courses are offered locally.

Free introductory lessons are offered in pools to novices without any fees by some tour operators, as well as in most of the resorts.

Encompassed within the boundaries of the National Park of the East the marine environment of La Romana - Bayahibe is known as one of the most important coral ecosystems in the Caribbean. Coral reefs boasting colorful tropical marine life, calm and crystal-clear waters, populations of resident dolphins and migratory whales.  Colonial shipwrecks, cannons and other sunken treasures litter the seedbed, visited by large schools of multi-colored tropical fish. These are just some of the underwater attractions that will greet divers who venture to explore these waters.

Best local dive sites include:

•  "Ancla", or Anchor: a flat garden reef located in front of Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, with a great diversity of corals and sponges.
• Parque, Casa Estrella, Acuario and Paraiso Anquillas: four shallow reefs bordering the National Park of the East.
• Catalinita's Garden: a shallow reef with a depth of 3-10 feet (1-3 meters), located west of Catalina Island.
• Parque 2 and "El Tiburón", or The Shark: between walls made of coral, these sands are home to a large collection of fishes worthy of witnessing.
• Quasimilla and "El Faro", or The Lighthouse: impressive reef garden with a variety of coral and sponges.
• Altagracia, Parquera y Canal Saona: contains some of the most striking deep reef corals and sponges.
• "Tortuga", or Turtle: another beautiful reef garden containing a variety of coral and marine life.
• "Bajo de la Mina", or Bottom of the Mine: reef in La Romana, which you can reach using Catalina Island's route.
• "La Pared", or Catalina's Wall: beautiful walls where you can find green and black coral, as well as giant sea sponges.
• Naufragio de Coca: this recreational wreck lies at a depth of 60 feet (18 meters).
• St. George Cargo ship: shipwreck of 240 feet (60 meters) found in the depths of the sea.
• Saona Island: an island with unspoiled coral formations and spectacular marine sponges.
• Padre Nuestro Cave Diving: Padre Nuestro offers a once in a lifetime experience with fresh water dives in an open lagoon system, translucent waters, stalagmites and stalagtites, this dive is for experienced divers only.

Best places to snorkel:

1. Catalina's reef wall: in front of Catalina Island, where you can gaze upon the best views of the Caribbean Sea found at a depth of 12 ft.
2. Bayahibe's reef wall: in front of Bayahibe beach.
3. Catalinita's reef wall: just offshore of Catalina Island.
4. Guadalupe Submarine Archeological Reserve: 100 meters away from the hotel zone, opposite Viva Wyndham Dominicus Hotel's beach
5. Canoa Submarine Archeological Reserve: 100 meters away from Be Live Canoa Hotel beach.

There is also about a half dozen companies that operate in this destination, with a fully professional staff commited to the development of aquatic and marine activities.