Bayahibe Dominican Republic Diving Report

[500 PSI]

I just returned from Bayahibe, DR on Feb 20, 2017 after 7 days of diving most of the near shore sites that are easily accessible by boat and relatively close to shore of the Parque National Park as well as the two nearby islands, Saona and Catalina. Dove with Scuba Fun and was treated to an outstanding week of diving along some of the best reefs I have ever seen at depths of 30-40 feet, easy diving, no waves or strong current, 75-100+ feet of vis and low 80's water temp about same as air temp. A few passing rain clouds that disappear quickly. Perfect for lady divers and new divers that like beautiful reefs. I also dove the St George wreck 2 times (100+ feet) and one other wreck near the main harbor 20-30 feet. Niice mix of dive sites.

Bayahibe is a very small, older DR fishing village with several large resorts and many nice apartment units that are available for a week or more found on the usual travel motel web sites. This is a very safe city with most friendly local people that speak spanish and some english. Visitors don't need a car, as you can get ground transportation services from any airport and are able to walk around the entire city, dive shop and shore line to get on boat after having coffee at open aire restaurants nearby. Convert some US dollars to pesos and your good to go.

Contact Sanne, ( Sunny) Scuba Fun's office girl or the owner John Sack. My primary dive master was Gulash. He is always near by taking care of any issues I had or answering any questions, he was happy to get your gear on the boat and set up for the dive. He is a terrific DM and leads the way along the reefs as well as watching over everyone with care and kind manners. This DM truly loves his work!

The boats is a large catamaran with is comfortable and easy to move around. Every day there are two tank dive trip runs that from 9:00 AM until 2 PM or 3 PM. There are two Island BBQ lunches that were great after diving and really filled you up for a nice, relaxing hour or two on the beach before heading back to the village.

Easy to book one or more days of diving if staying in Punta Cana or La Roma and find transportation services.. Also Carnival cruise ships arrive frequently and diving can be arranged..

Thanks to everyone at Scuba Fun for an extraordinarily week of relaxed, wonderful diving.

 

[Dhboner]

I have dove with John and ScubaFun many times and have always had a great week. In my opinion, Bayahibe is one of the most under-rated dive destinations in the world. Penon is still my favourite reef dive of all time.

 

[500 PSI]

Rodger that boner, I thought same thing, at least there sea fans were not all kicked over and coral was in great shape. Less divers = less reef damage, simple logic.

 

[iamrushman]

very nice report ...thanks for sharing.

 

[drrich2]

I've read good things on the forum about Scuba Fun before. Appreciate your detailed review, including the topside experience from an English-speaking perspective, since a lot of regional dive tourists don't speak Spanish.

Convert some US dollars to pesos and your good to go.

How important is this? Are U.S. dollars and credit cards not widely acceptable?

Bayahibe is a very small, older DR fishing village with several large resorts and many nice apartment units that are available for a week or more found on the usual travel motel web sites.

Anyone know how well these larger resorts do at family entertainment? I'm thinking of divers picking destinations for non-diving family.

Speaking of discriminating amongst potential destinations, where do you see Bayahibe & Scuba Fun in the Dominican Republic stacking up in terms of alternative destinations? In other words, why bypass Cozumel, Roatan, Ambergris Caye in Belize, etc..., to go there? Or do you go there once you've been to the others?

People who run across this thread researching destinations may find the answers useful.

Richard.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Dreams La Romana is only about a 10 minute walk from the village of Bayahibe. The Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus, Dreams Dominicus La Romana, and Catalonia Gran Dominicus are about a 10 minute cab ride to the east of Bayahibe. We stayed at the Dreams La Romana they had a kids club and a teens club. They had video games, sports, teen disco, scavenger hunts, bonfires & camping on the beach, etc.

Bayahibe has a good of variety of dives. They have reef dives, wall dives, 4 or 5 wreck dives and even cave dives if you are so certified.

 

[500 PSI]

As of March 2017 If you want to live large then I suggest Grand Cayman where the US $1.00 is worth $0.75, or less depending on the store or restaurant you go to; however in DC the US $1.00 is worth about $2.00 when converted into DC Pesos so forget the credit card, in DC cash is king. Whats in your wallet???

 

[Scuba Steve NY]

I was considering taking a trip to DR and contacted a few dive shops to feel them out. Do you suggest Bayahibe as the go to place to dive or are there other parts of the island that are equal or better? I was originally planning on staying in Punta Cana which is pretty far from Bayahibe. I have heard and read great things about Scuba Fun and could travel there from Punta Cana if it's worth it. Thanks for your input.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I was considering taking a trip to DR and contacted a few dive shops to feel them out. Do you suggest Bayahibe as the go to place to dive or are there other parts of the island that are equal or better? I was originally planning on staying in Punta Cana which is pretty far from Bayahibe. I have heard and read great things about Scuba Fun and could travel there from Punta Cana if it's worth it. Thanks for your input.

I was not impressed by the north side of DR for diving. My understanding is that Bayahibe is the place to dive. I spoke with an expat living on Las Terrenas who won't even bother going diving on DR, but will go to Bonaire instead.

 

[Scuba Steve NY]

Thanks for the response

I was not impressed by the north side of DR for diving. My understanding is that Bayahibe is the place to dive. I spoke with an expat living on Las Terrenas who won't even bother going diving on DR, but will go to Bonaire instead.

Thanks for your quick response. I think I may give Bayahibe a shot. I haven't heard anyone say anything good about the north side of the island. The St. George wreck sounds like a pretty cool wreck to check out as well.