Catalonia Bayahibe, Bayahibe

Bayahibe is widely recognised to offer some of the Dominican Republic’s best scuba diving, harbouring an array of underwater ecosystems including seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. Almost all of the dives here lie within a half-hour boat ride from the coast  and, while more advanced divers will often favour Bayahibe over the Dominican Republic’s other mainland dive destinations, all experience levels are catered for. Some of the more popular nearby sites include Dos Cocos, La Tortuga and Aquarium Profundo, and Penon.

The diverse marine life of Bayahibe is one of its defining characteristics, with iconic species ranging from anemonefish and parrotfish to barracuda, stingrays, nurse sharks, and more. It is also possible to spot green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback turtles – with varying degrees of likelihood – while playful dolphins can entertain divers during boat rides and manatee encounters are an ever-present possibility.

Shipwrecks in Bayahibe

For many divers, one of Bayahibe’s biggest draws is the small yet tempting selection of shipwrecks situated just a short distance from shore. Sitting at a depth of just 12-metres, the 30-metre-long Atlantic Princess is a popular site for all experience levels, while the St George Wreck is reserved for more advanced divers. This 73-metre transatlantic cargo freighter was purposefully scuttled in 1999 and now rests between 20 to 40-metres deep. The size and beauty of the wreck are the main highlights of this dive, though numerous schools of fish circle the eerie structure, including plenty of barracuda. Other nearby vessels to explore include the Coca Wreck and Matthew's Wreck, which are both badly broken up but still offer some interest.

Isla Catalina and Isla Saona

The protected, uninhabited island of Catalina lies some 16-kilometres due east of Bayahibe and features two noteworthy dive sites – The Wall and The Aquarium. Lying on the east coast of the island, The Wall drops off into the depths and is covered in elaborate elkhorn coral and sponges. It is also possible to find some beautiful black coral specimens at depths of 25-metres or more. On the opposite side of the island, The Aquarium is great for divers and snorkelers alike, promising plenty of fish passing to-and-fro.

Saona Island is situated to the south of Bayahibe, within the Parque Nacional del Este – or Eastern National Park – and is separated from the mainland by the Catuano Channel. Popular sites here include El Faro and La Parguera, as well as Shark Point, where currents can often be a little stronger and residents include both reef and nurse sharks.