Big Mistake? Punta Cana Dominican Republic

[craracer]

After reading many of the comments, I think I may have made a huge mistake by booking a trip to the Dominican Republic. Sport Diver Magazine had the D.R. listed as "50 of the best dive destinations on the planet!" so, I booked a trip today.

I will be staying at the Riu Palace Punta Cana (about 30 min South of the airport). I've stayed at several of the RUI establishments and love them.

The issue is that I repeatedly hear that the diving is horrible in D.R. (Only found info about diving around Catalina and Bayahibe) However, I haven't heard anything about the diving around Punta Cana.

Does anyone have any experience around the area in which I will be staying?

I will be diving with the on-site dive shop (Scuba Caribe) and using my own gear. They have trips to Catalina for an additional $90 (without diving costs).

 

[tammymacb]

The beaches are gorgeous.

That being said, if I was offered a free trip back to Punta Cana, I'd have to seriously consider returning. I REALLY disliked the trip.

I'm sure there are other folks here that enjoyed it, but I wasn't one of them. Sorry.

 

[craracer]

Great. I should have just bought a SUPER nice pair of boots so I could kick myself in style.

 

[craracer]

I just read that Saona Island is a good place. Any thoughts?

 

[WavyGravy]

I just got back from Punta Cana about a week ago, where I did my certification dives. It was really windy on the beach (the locals said it was unusual). My 4 dives were done off the resort - the first day was so wavy I got seasick during my SI between my first two dives. Puked on the surface, and on the bottom. Not much to see, a few fish and rocks.

Day 2 it was still rough, and visibility was about 5 feet. Got seperated from my instructor and had to surface to find him after a minute. The waves were just big enough that I couldn't see the boat at first. Saw nothing but rocks for those 2 dives. That being said, these dives were for certifying, and maybe other sites are better.

On my third day we went to Catalina Island - much much calmer water with great visibility. The trip itself is a pain, as the 90 minute drive form the resort doesn't "start" until the bus goes to 3 different places to pick everyone up. The boat was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and Catalina Island itself was a busy disappointment for non-divers. A beach full of tourists and merchants trying to sell stuff to you, with a bad buffet. My non-diving gf and her sister weren't happy with the trip, but it was worth it for me to get my first good dives. Did "The Wall" and "The Aquarium," and they were great. Saw lots of stuff that I am too much of a rookie to identify, and it was nice not to have to deal with surge, bad disability, rough waves, and getting seperated from my intructer and boat.

The beaches were gorgious if you don't mind the wind.

 

[craracer]

Wow, I wonder if it's too late to change my trip? It would cost me $90.00/day just for the ride to Catalina (not including dive costs).

 

[jvdk01]

If you can't back out, then just make the best of it. It still beats work.

 

[craracer]

I'm working on backing out as I type

 

[craracer]

How bad is bad diving?

To help me decide how bad it is: How does it compare to Negril, Jamaica?

 

[tammymacb]

I'm not a fan of Jamaica, either.. Not too helpful with this one.

Have you ever been there? It's a physically beautiful island, but the poverty and the crime are enough to keep you locked away in your hotel. I'm a fan of exploring different places on my own.

My personal favs are Grand Cayman, and Barbados. I'm heading for Bonaire for 2 weeks this summer and Belize this January. Do lots of research on your location before leaving and for hotels check out tripadvisor.com. I get great info there.