The Dominican Republic is a tropical paradise rich in biodiversity and home to the
Caribbean’s largest salt water lake (Lago Enriquillo) which lies 140ft below sea level and is home to more than 1,000 crocodiles. The Dominican was once invaded by the famous British Pirate Sir Francis Drake.
There are hundreds of tropical species and corals as well as larger pelagics like sharks, mantas, dolfins and even the occasional whale shark! The last days of February to early March you can enjoy humpback whales around the Bay of Samana and manatees hiding the mangroves.
The marine park around Santo Domingo has some beautiful reefs and wrecks to explore including the famous Hickory; a 130 ft (40m) freighter lying in only 18m of water. If you are interested in larger pelagics like dolfins, manta rays and whale sharks, La Caleta marine park is the most common spot!
There are plenty of underwater limestone caves around Boca Chica which great stalactite formations, some of which you can surface inside. Catalina Island is another popular site, it’s beautiful white beaches attract many celebrities and it’s underwater reefs are among the best in the Caribbean.
Water temperatures range from 25-29°C, rainy season on the north coast is from October to May and on the south coast from May – October. The best time to dive is generally from June to September when the water is warmer and visibility can be 30m.
Twenty-five years ago, the east coast was little more than a lonely stretch of beach and scrub-brush. Today, that diamond in the rough has been polished into a glittering gem;unquestionably the Caribbean’s most popular and fastest growing tourist destination. The area embraced by Macao and Punta Cana, including Bávaro, now is home to more than 30 large tourist complexes with over 13,000 rooms. For 35 kilometers, along secluded stretches of pearl white sand, the East Coast is a beach-lover’s paradise. The brilliant sands of Bávaro, Arena Gorda, Cortecito, Cabeza de Toro, Macao and Punta Cana beckon to travelers from all corners of the globe. Over 70 charter and regular flights arrive weekly at Punta Cana’s international airport from a dozen European cities as well as Canada, the United States and South America. One of the most popular nearby attractions here is Manatí Park Bávaro, comprising a 130,000 square meter preserve with permanent exhibits of live animals, birds, reptiles and fish, as well as remarkable performing dolphins, entertaining sea lions, and talkative parrots. . The beach is the big attraction in this area. For those with energy left over, area resorts’ entertainment staffs present variety shows. The Tropicalíssimo show at the Barceló Bávaro Casino is the leading Caribbean and Latin music extravaganza. Naturally, there are also several casinos for gaming enthusiasts and hotel discos for the night owls
