Punta Cana - ScubaCaribe vs. Dressel

[Kitannia]

Hello!

I was wondering if anyone can give me some feedback on each dive center? Which one does everyone recommend? I have not heard much about ScubaCaribe and have mixed reviews about Dressel.

I'll be going to Punta Cana first week of Nov. and would love to do a couple of excursions, but I know the importance of going with a good dive shop. I am super excited!!

Thanks!

 

[TTT103]

I dive just about every year with Dressel--both in Punta Cana and Bayahibe. They are one of the best outfits I've ever used. Only once, did I dive with a Dressel instructor that I did not care for; however, she was newly certified and was a bit too bossy (wasn't aware who the customers were and that they were paying her salary). With that said, they are a first class operation. If you are considering taking courses beyond AOW, forget Dressel, as they do not offer them. ScubaCaribe does, depending upon location.

In terms of ScubaCaribe, they are all over the Caribbean. I've never used them, but my father has (a couple of times annually at the RIU Palaces in PC). He has dove with both ScubaCaribe and Dressel, and places Dressel a notch above ScubaCaribe. One comment that I will offer is that Dressel is not inexpensive; however, what one pays is what one gets. You can take a look at pricing and packages on the ScubaCaribe web site; however, you will need to email Dressel for a price list/quote. Pay for the Dressel dives before you leave home in order to receive a 15% discount.

 

[CNicoll]

We are going to Punta Cana in a couple of weeks. Who did you dive with and how did it go? Have a great time I hope? Thanks!! Chris

 

[Robert van Brussel]

Hi TTT103 and all others,

about diving in the Dominican with Dressel or Scuba Caribe, one thing is clear: the area of Bayahibe is the best for diving!!! Greetings from the neighbours of Dressel Divers Bayahibe, Promarine Watersport Hotel Catalonia Gran Dominicus.
Nice Dives
Robert

 

[mare nubium]

This has been the best comparison of Dressel & Scuba Caribe I have come across. I'm going to Punta Cana this May and was trying to figure which DS to use. I have Dressel's price print out vrs Scuba Caribe and with the 15% up front fees their packages come out cheaper than Scuba Caribe's only issue I see is they do a morning 1 tank dive then an afternoon 1 tank dive unless you are going to one of the Islands, which from all the reading is where the better diving is.

 

[Kitannia]

Hello!

Sorry i haven't had time to report back after my vacation in Punta Cana! But I chose to go with dressel and it was great! Professional dive instructors and the whole shop was awesome! I felt really safe with the dive instructors underwater and they would take the time to point out interesting life. But the diving in punta cana is so-so... I would agree that the better diving is in Bayahibe... so definitely spend your money on the excursions if you're in Punta Cana. I did two excursions with Dressel... and they were worth it. I had lots of fun with them.

Bonus is that Dressel offers the advanced course for free.

 

[firstdive2005]

Hello!

Sorry i haven't had time to report back after my vacation in Punta Cana! But I chose to go with dressel and it was great! Professional dive instructors and the whole shop was awesome! I felt really safe with the dive instructors underwater and they would take the time to point out interesting life. But the diving in punta cana is so-so... I would agree that the better diving is in Bayahibe... so definitely spend your money on the excursions if you're in Punta Cana. I did two excursions with Dressel... and they were worth it. I had lots of fun with them.

Bonus is that Dressel offers the advanced course for free.

Hi I am thinking of doing a little buzz to PC. How much where the excursions, and do they have them everyday. Can you get nitrox if you want it. thanks kev

 

[DRsharky]

Hi I am thinking of doing a little buzz to PC. How much where the excursions, and do they have them everyday. Can you get nitrox if you want it. thanks kev

Kev,
Nitrox is not as common in Dominican Republic as in Canada or USA. Not too many dive ops here have certified people for it.

 

[Kitannia]

Kev,
Nitrox is not as common in Dominican Republic as in Canada or USA. Not too many dive ops here have certified people for it.

Hi!

No, they don't have excursions every day. You should check out the dressel dive shop and they will send you their price list and any information you want. Unfortunately I no longer have this info. and I'm not sure about the nitrox either.

They are fairly quick to get back to you.

dresseldivers.com

D

 

[DRsharky]

Hi I am thinking of doing a little buzz to PC. How much where the excursions, and do they have them everyday. Can you get nitrox if you want it. thanks kev

Hi Kev,
Just talked to a friend that works at a dive shop in Punta Cana, they haven't been diving for past few days due to bad weather conditions. If you haven't booked your hotel yet, consider a resort on the south coast rather then there, we have better diving conditions here.