We were in Punta Cana August of 2007, we stayed up the beach at the Tropical Princess, we did 2 dives. They brought down in front of the Barcelo property (we've have stayed at the Barcelo Palace 3 times). We dove I believe the Coral Gardens and a wreck "The Monica". The reef is not healthy, not much life, did see a eel or 2 and a nurse shark. Both dives are pretty shallow. Not the best diving, but it is diving! In October of 2006 when we stayed at the Barcelo, we never got to dive because of the weather was bad for the whole week. In October 2003 we did our very first dive there, we dove with Neptuno next door at the Villas, 2 minute walk away. Nice little operation, small boats you board on the beach and get pushed out into the water, back roll off, little hard getting back into the boat. We were going to dive with the dive op at the Barcelo the last time, but the weather stopped us, they do have a pier, that you would board off of.
Hope this gives a little insight.