Scuba diving Dominican Republic (11 ocean dives and 3 freshwater Caves)

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The Dominican Rep. covers the eastern two thirds of the island Hispanola, which they share with Haiti.

It has a population of about 11 million people.

Santo Domingo is the Capital.



When to dive the Dominican Republic:

The North Coast is best in February and March, The South & Punta Cana area are best from December to mid-April

Hurricane season is from June to November with the highest chance of being affect by Tropical storms, or Hurricanes from August to November.




Puerto Plata - Average temperatures
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)181718202020212121201918
Max (°C)293029293132333333323129
Min (°F)646364686868707070686664
Max (°F)848684848890919191908884

East Coast:

Punta Cana - Average temperatures
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)222222222324252524242322
Max (°C)282828293030303131302928
Min (°F)727272727375777775757372
Max (°F)828282848686868888868482 

South Coast:

Santo Domingo - Average temperatures
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)202020212223232323222120
Max (°C)292930303031313231313130
Min (°F)
686868707273737373727068
Max (°F)
848486868688889088888886



Dive sites Dominican Republic, North Coast:


Cayo Reef, Paradise Island (Punta Rucia);



This bay in Monte Christi is surrounded by mangroves and quiet secluded, which means the reefs are in good condition.
The coral reef is brightly colored and big schools of Yellow tail Snappers, Surgeon fish, Sergeant Major fish are some of the species.


Airport Wall, Puerto Plata/Sosua;

























The Airport Wall is only a 10 minute boatride from Sosua beach. The wall starts around 30 ft and drops to around 100 ft. 
The wall is covered in Soft & Hard Corals and Sea Whips, Cleaner Shrimp and crabs live here together with small and medium size Caribbean fish species.


The Wall Luperon;


The 75 to 130 ft wall is covered in hard Corals & colorful sponges.
Groupers, Rays, Barracuda, Eels and sometimes even turtles are spotted at the Luperon Wall.

At depth you have to be aware of currents that occur.


Canyon, Sosua;



Average depth is around 60 ft, with 90 ft as maximum. Soft Corals, Sponges, Rocks and Gorgonians form the home to Sergeant Majors, Damsel Fish, Yellow Tail Snapper, Seahorses, Flamingo Tongue Snails, Nudibranches, and  Angelfish.


Piedra Bonita, Samana;




This Coral tower starts at about 24 ft and, watch your depth gauge!!, drops to more than 180 ft.

This giant rock is covered in Corals, Sponges and Gorgonians. Porcupine, Wrasse and Box fish share this habitat with Sea Turtles.



Dive Sites Domenican Republic, South & East Coast:


Saint George wreck Bayahibe;



This 240 ft long freighter was sunk in 1999, and is recommend for Advanced divers only, maximum depth is 144 ft., the top of the wreck is at a depth of 50 ft. The wreck can be enjoyed inside and outside. The dive site is part of the National Park.


The Aquarium, Catalina Island;



This 42 ft deep reef is part of the National Park, and has amazing Corals and sponges, it is also a great place to see Rays, Barracudas, Angel fish, Trumpet and Puffer fish, Sea Horses & other species.


La cueva, Punta Cana/Bavaro;



24 - 40 ft reef, with hard & soft Corals, Sea Fans, Butterfly fish, Lobster, Puffer fish, Eels, Pipe fish, and Rays can be seen here, if you are lucky you might spot Nurse Sharks in the Caverns.

Enriquillo RM-22 wreck


This wreck sits at 60 ft and is a 143 ft long ship that was donated by the U.S. to the Dominican Navy in 1980. It was sunk in 2006, due to the currents this dive is recommended for advanced divers.
Sea breams, yellowtail snappers,and Atlantic mackerel are some of the fish specie to be observed here, hawksbill-, leatherback and green sea turtles make this a fantastic dive site.


Dos Cocos, La Romana




Penon reef, Saona Island;


Beautiful Coral formations, Spotted Moray Eels, Scorpion fish, Calamari, Sting Rays & a wide variety of reef fish can be observed and enjoyed on this site, which is part of the National Park.

The Dominican Republic offers more than just ocean diving, here are 3 amazing fresh water caves.

Before you consider participating in Cave Diving you have to get the proper training and equipment to do so.

Cueva Taina;













Cueva Taina is located near the airport Las Americas, Santo Domingo, it is private property and a entrance fee has to be paid to the landowner.

The lenght of this cave system is 1100 meters (1203 yards) and a maximum depth of 43m (142 ft).

The entrance has a spiral staircase that leads into a sinkhole and is easy to access, there are 2 sides to this cave system, on the right side you will encounter a large tunnel, and a boulder collapse that lead to the mainline, here is a very large room with white walls. Further down and through a restriction you eventually get to the final restriction at 43m (142 ft) that ends in a choke. On the left side the entrance leads directly to the mainline, this side of the system has crystal white stalactites and columns, there is a wide , and low bedding on the left that looks very cool. The exit on this side has been blocked of with rocks by the owner.


La Jeringa 












La Jeringa is located in the Padre Nuestro Park, just outside Bayahibe.

Maximum depth is 15 meters (49 ft), in 2009 Dave Pratt & Christian Pittaro were the first ones to dive this cave.

This is a side mount cave with crystal clear waters, white walls and several restrictions (some of them no mount), it is made up of eroded sharp rocks.

One of the tunnels ends in a small air dome


Systema Oleg's Bat House








This cave is in the Bavaro area, and you need a 40 minutes ride on dirt roads to reach it, but it is well worth the drive.

An oak staircase leads to the entrance, the mainline starts just under the main viewing platform. This cave has unique geological features, alien looking tunnels and walls with potholed ceilings, 

You will encounter millions of cave adapted snails, worms and shrimp in this very unique cave system.

Credit for all cave diving  pictures: Dominican Speleological Society.

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