Dominican Republic

[sharkbait98]

Hi all,

Well I just got laid off from work and decided, hey, why not go away on vacation ? LOL. but it has to be "inexpensive" of course. So, DR it is. Now my biggest challenge is finding out, from somebody without a financial agenda, where I should go for the best diving on the island. I get really good deals up here in Canada with the Canadian charters so I am not limited to one area. Would have gone to Cuba but am bringing an American with me so that is not going to happen LOL.

Can anybody help me with this?

Thanks in advance,

Sharkbait :uwphotographer:

 

[Dhboner]

The BEST diving hands down is on the south coast in the La Romana/Bayahibe area. There are a couple of great wrecks (St. George) around 20 or so reef destinations and inland caves. You can book a full day excursion to Catalina Island (about 20 minutes by boat) and dive a beautiful wall down to over 100'. I have dived on the north coast (Punta Cana) and the south coast is WAY better.

PM me if you want any more information.

Bob (Toronto)

 

[DRsharky]

I dove on the north coast (Puerto Plata area) for 2 years, haven't done any dives on the east (Punta Cana / Bavaro area), but my friends working there said it's not too good. As most divers say, the south coast is the best (that's why I moved here from the north). More then 20 dive sites to choose from, 3 close by islands to go for a diving day trip. Catalina is my least favorite, usually very busy, lots of divers and snorkelers. I prefer dive sites and places where is not crowded, but that's me. My favorite island is Catalinita, the smallest island with hardly anybody going there
St.George wreck is my favorite from the local dives,
In case you want to go to Cuba you can fly with your US friend through Dominican Republic.

 

[KentFromPGH]

I have no association with any place or dive operator but I can recommend DivingDR in Bayahibe if you are going to the DR. DRSharky and his crew are great folks and really take care of their customers. We did some shallow dives and my wife and I are good on air consuption so they were glad to let us spend over 1 hour in the water. I have not been to other parts of DR but Bayahibe compares with cozumel and other carrib. and locations I have been to in the past.

Maybe someday I will even post my trip report from earlier this fall!

 

[Scubarus66]

What can we expect next month for dive condition. We will be there for 7 nights and staying on the La Romana/Bayahibe area.... Thanks

 

[DRsharky]

The water temperature is about 28C / 82F, the sea very calm, the vis around 50ft which is still not back to normal. It's still clearing after the stormy / rainy weather we had past two months. The water temp will be about the same (same temperature down to 200 ft). I really hope the vis will get back to normal soon

 

[Scubarus66]

Thanks for the quick reply... I hope it clears up to.. Being in Florida we usually have pretty good dive conditions. How and if their is any current to deal with? Dove last June in FL water temp at
85' was 54 degrees.....

 

[DRsharky]

We have few dive sites with slight current, mostly no current at all.

 

[scuba41girl]

My boyfriend and I bothe got laid off at the same time and we just booked Grand Cayman. We leave next week. Enjoy your vacation with no guilt!