Punta Cana is a tourist destination known for its crystal clear waters and paradisiacal beaches. While it is ideal for a relaxing holiday in the Caribbean, there are also many diving options in Punta Cana. Are you attracted by the deep sea and want to try scuba diving for the first time? Are you a diving enthusiast and want to get to know the fauna and flora of Punta Cana? Whatever the case, we assure you that the underwater landscapes of this area of the Dominican Republic will not disappoint you, we’ll tell you more in this article!
Igneri Caribe Taíno Submarine Museum
A unique and beautiful place to dive in Punta Cana is undoubtedly the Igneri Caribe Taino Underwater Museum, founded in 1995. It is an underwater museum made up of 22 sculptures representing Taino figures. These works of art, located in the water at a depth of three to four metres, were created by Dominican artist Thimo Pimentel.
To make the museum much more attractive and to make it a unique snorkelling and diving spot, a reef was created around the figures, placing different species of coral to help attract marine life.
The shallow depth at which the sculptures are placed makes it an ideal place for beginners and people who are just starting to get into scuba diving in Punta Cana.
Catalina Island: the best place for scuba diving in Punta Cana
Near Punta Cana, off the town of La Romana, lies one of the true paradises for those interested in diving and marine life.
With white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, this is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, but that’s not all. With its less than 10 square kilometres it has been classified as a Protected Natural Park, especially because of the need to care for and preserve its abundant and varied marine life.
In this popular snorkelling and diving destination you can enjoy colourful corals and different species of Caribbean fish. The two most recognised locations that we recommend you to explore are “El Muro” and “El Acuario”. The first of these, delighting diving enthusiasts, is a wall that plunges into the water and reaches a depth of up to 100 metres. The Aquarium, on the other hand, is a coral reef that stands out for its abundant marine flora and fauna.
El Peñon: coral and sponge formations
Like the other spots mentioned in this article, El Peñón is not only an excellent diving area, but also an excellent snorkelling spot. The space is shared between people who want to practice scuba diving and those who prefer to observe the marine life from the surface.
This enclave, also known as Cuevas del Peñón, is located 25 minutes by boat from Bayahíbe and the reef has different depths, between 12 and 28 metres. This makes it one of the best places to dive in Punta Cana, whether you’re an expert or this is your first time diving.
On the seabed you can move among corals and swim with turtles, sharks, rays and countless fish of different species. A colourful spectacle that we are sure it will leave a mark on your memory.
La Caleta: reef diving in Punta Cana
La Caleta National Underwater Park, located near Santo Domingo, is a paradise of crystal clear turquoise waters. If the views from the beach are breathtaking, what you’ll find under the surface will take your breath away.
This national park, which covers an area of 10 square kilometres and stretches from Cueva de las Golondrinas to Punta Caucedo, is an excellent place for people who have done a lot of diving, but it is also perfect for beginners. The water depth ranges from 6 to 180 metres and the marine life is varied: octopus, rays, turtles, fish, corals, etc.
Saona Island: diving in Punta Cana in its purest state
Saona island is one of the best known paradisiacal locations in the Caribbean, and that’s no surprise, with its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, unspoilt nature… A holiday destination par excellence! However, not everyone knows that it is also an exceptional place for scuba diving.
There are options and classes for all levels, so that anyone who wants to explore the marine fauna and flora of Saona island can do so. Dive into the turquoise waters and you’ll see giant starfish, colourful corals and a multitude of Caribbean fish.
Wreck diving
Wreck diving is a branch of recreational diving and consists of diving on wrecks, i.e., the remains of shipwrecks. These can be ships, planes, platforms or other types of structures that have sank and are found at the bottom of the sea.
If you are interested in this type of diving, you can practice it in La Caleta, mentioned above. Here you can find several wrecks in the depths of the park, among which the following stand out: El Limón and Capitán Alsina, at a depth of 30 metres, and Don Quico, at a depth of 58 metres. The Hickory ship, located at a depth of 18 metres, is also well known. It was sunk in 1984 by a group of underwater researchers who wanted to create an artificial reef in the area to attract marine life.
Some tips for scuba diving in Punta Cana
As you can see, the diving possibilities in Punta Cana are not few. You can choose one or two of the options we propose, or you can dedicate a large part of your trip to diving and explore all the mentioned spots.
If you decide to go diving in Punta Cana, the best thing to do is to hire a team of PADI certified professionals and receive the best advice so that you can make the most of the excursions under the sea.
In case you don’t know who to ask, ask for information at the Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino and receive the best guidance to include scuba diving in Punta Cana in your list of activities. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Whatever the case, what’s clear is that the reefs and underwater scenery you’ll see won’t disappoint you. Swimming among corals and schools of fish in turquoise waters? It’s like living a dream! Now that you know more about it and you know which are the best places to dive in Punta Cana, all that’s left to do is to organise a good itinerary and, enjoy it!
