Dominican Republic Questions

[CareyinFL]

I'm looking to book a trip to the Dominican Republic for some great diving! After MUCH Googling, I'm leaning toward the South Shore since I'm particularly interested in island Catalinita (Shark Point and Stingray Point) plus Saona Island.

Anybody have any thoughts on the Dominican Republic? Am I heading in a good direction?

If you know of any places to stay - preferably four bedrooms - in a convenient location for those locations, please let me know. But ANY input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[DRsharky]

The question if Dominican republic is good for diving - well it depends what you expect. If you want to see BIG stuff, you should probably choose a different destination. If you are like lot of divers I've met, happy to be under water, you will like it.
Most divers will tell you that the south, Caribbean coast around Bayahibe, is the best for diving on the island. Dives around Catalinita and Saona are nice because not too many divers go there. But there is no guarantee that you will see sharks even on the Shark point - they are free living animals so they might not be there the day you go. Stingray point - always sting rays there but not always good conditions to go. It is on the border of the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea and might be very wavy. It is for very experienced divers (even if the sea conditions are OK).

Dives around Saona island are nice too, you never know what you will see. But that is not only there, couple weeks ago we were swimming with couple humpback whales, before that with a group of dolphins, last week many turtles. All these creatures move freely in the area.

For the accommodation - it depends on your budget. Most people stay in all inclusive resorts. If you want to rent an apartment, look at the beach front 2 bdr apartment http://divingdominicanrepublic.com/bayahibe/accommodation/beach-front-dream-apartment/
or you can try Hotel Bayahibe www.hotelbayahibe.net - many people like it, clean, safe, good service and their rates include breakfast.

 

[Rhone Man]

I have visited DR twice for diving: one to Samana (which was terrible) and once to Bayahibe (which was pretty decent). Although I would not call DR a premier diving destination, it makes for a really good holiday because the diving is of a decent standard, but the overall cost of the holiday is so low it makes for a great combination. Especially if, like me, you have a non-diving family.

I am hoping to go back this summer and try Punta Cana, so we'll see how that goes.

EDIT: I'd echo what DRSharky says, but with more emphasis. Given how cheap they are, you would be crazy not to stay at an all-inclusive resort. In Bayahibe I stayed at Catalina Gran Dominicus, which may be the best value for money I have ever gotten from a hotel. I think my whole family stayed for just under a week for about US$480 - all food, drink and alcohol included.

 

[dirkmy]

I am going to be traveling to Punta Cana and will be staying at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe from 04.30.12 - 05.07.12. I am a beginner diver and have been researching diving in the Dominican but have been coming up with some hit and miss places along with a language barrier. If anyone could give me some information on the best places to go or reserve it would be greatly appreciated. I am also interest in going on a sunset cruise and possibly doing some fishing if anyone has any other info. I thank you for your time.

Dirk

 

[DRsharky]

I am not sure if you can do a sunset cruise around Punta Cana, haven't heard anything about it. For fishing try this guy Punta Cana Charters Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide Sport Fishing Charters Big Game Fishing Charters Boat Charters

For diving - most people will tell you Bayahibe is the best area in DR. It's about an hour and half from Punta Cana resorts, so for a single diver might be a bit higher price to come here by a taxi and dive. I don't know much about dive companies there, hopefully somebody else will give you some tips.

 

[dirkmy]

Thanks for the info. Has anyone else had any experience with the diving through the resort i mentioned? B

arcelo Bavaro Palace? Thanks​

 

[g0neinsane]

I will be in Punta Cana the week of June 2nd. Can someone help me with choosing the right suit? Do I need a shorty, how thick of a suit? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

I dove in punta cana 3 years ago. Think the shop was called scubaquatic. Not impressed with them at all. In fact, not impressed with the country alltogether.

First dive i did there was on the freighter that is sticking out of the water there. The dive op anchored on the reef right beside the wreck before rushing everyone into the water.

Once in the water, the dm with a group of about ten, some being just on a discover scuba descended onto this twisted piece of wreckage. The conditions were bad. The vis was low, possibly 25'. The surge was extremely strong, each wave moving you back and forth about 6'.

By some miracle the dive finished without any of the uncertified divers having any mishaps.

Of the 3 dives i did during the week i was there, i was not once offered water or any other hospitality on the boat.

If you want to go on vacation, spend little money, lie on the beach and drink, go to punta cana. Otherwise, dont bother.

I cant speak for the rest of the country, but i wont be going back.

 

[DRsharky]

@ Graeme, Punta Cana is probably not a best area in Dominican republic to go for a scuba vacation, sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience. Most divers will tell you that the south side, the Caribbean coast around Bayahibe is the best for scuba diving, most of the time very calm waters, that's why many people come here to dive or as a matter of fact for all boat excursions. Punta Cana is the Atlantic coast and it might be a bit rough sometimes.

@g0neinsane - the water temp in Bayahibe area in June is around 28C / 82F, so 3 mm shorty might be enough for you, but of course all is personal, some divers get cold faster then others. The water temp in Punta Cana might be a bit lower, as I said it's Atlantic ocean and the water movement keeps it probably cooler then here.

 

[rick00001967]

this may be too late but......we have been to sosua twice and have stayed close to puerto plata once (playa dorada complex). we stayed the first time at "sosua by the sea". we loved it. small quiet place. had access to the casa marina resort. now the stairs that lead to that beach are gone (unless they have rebuilt them) we also stayed at casa marina beach/reef resort. i have visited many different places and i still think casa marina has one of the most beautiful locations we have ever stayed. good food, great beaches, great views, and the diving is right out front. we used "aqua center" that was located at casa marina. they were great at the time. and cheap too. like 250 for 10 dives. i have been told however it has changed hands and the pricing has gone way up. the instructor i used there (i did my padi adv course) i heard works for merlins in sosua village. his name is ron. was was awsome. we really enjoyed the diving in sosua. i was surprised to be honest. no big stuff but lots of life. but the best part is the proximity to the sites.
we also used northern coast diving once. but they are in the village so we had to walk to the shop, walk to the beach from there, get on/off the boat from the water (no peir). which was ok for me but tough on mife who has very bad knees and my young son at the time who was doing his first ocean dives. but the operation was ok. just not convenient from casa marina or sosua by the sea. they actually had a great DM there at the time who spent extra time trying to make my sons experience as enjoyable as possible.
i had been told that diving at the airport is a good site for hammerheads but we did not have chance to go there. i would like to return again sometime.