Scuba Diving in Punta Cana – An Experience You Can’t Afford to Miss

As such, Dominican Republic has so many pleasant surprises that are enough to spoil a tourist. The second largest and most diverse Caribbean country is full of breathtaking nature, fascinating history and rich culture. It has some of world’s most magnificent beaches and a whole lot of activities that will keep you enticed your entire holiday. But if you have only a limited time that permits you to choose just a few activities, scuba diving in Punta Cana should surely be on top of your list.

Scuba diving Punta Cana is so rich and varied that whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you are going to be amazed with the experience. Punta Cana is blessed with some of the longest pure white sand coastlines, studded with sky-rocketing coconut palms, which are ideal for rest and relaxation. However, it’s also ideal for the adventurous. There are adventure parks, zipline runs, pirate shows and a vibrant nightlife. But perhaps the most amazing activity is scuba diving. Here you’ll find numerous diving sites of various types, an astounding range of aquatic flora and fauna, and numerous diving expert teams that will make your diving experience smooth, safe and absolutely pleasurable.

Diving Experience in Punta Cana

As said earlier, whether you are a beginner or a pro, your diving experience in Punta Cana is going to be amazing. If you’re a beginner and are hesitating to have a dip, there are so many teams of professional divers you can hire to take you safely and smoothly through the reefs. For example, Grand Bay of the Sea is a leading dive company in Punta Cana with 15 years of experience and qualified professional instructors. Watch their video:

The professional diving instructors will first give you a few basic lessons that will ensure your safety. In addition, they will accompany you all the time; so, you need not worry while diving in the depths of the sea.

The best thing about diving in Punta Cana is that the oceanic conditions here are ideal for diving. The sea is calm and water is crystal clear. The temperature of water is normally around 27 degrees C which is pleasant.

What’s more, the marine species occurring in Punta Cana waters like Blue Tang, Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, Porcupine Fish, Blue-headed Wrasse, Sergeant Major, Trunk Fish, Turtle, Tiger Shark etc. are so calm that you can dive even near them, and enjoy swimming beside them.

Types of Diving Excursions in Punta Cana

Scuba diving Punta Cana is diverse. It includes various circuits among which you can choose to explore the region more deeply.

Reefs

Punta Cana is encircled by a reef that is home to a great range of marine species that can be hardly seen on the surface. You can see Turtles and Sharks during a boat trip, but can see Goldfish and Manta Rays only while diving into the sea. Some of the most beautiful reef spots in Punta Cana are:

Finger Coral Plantation: This interesting spot is 6 meter deep with a sandy bottom that consists of large rocks that bear corals. This spot is home to a lot of Yellowtail Snapper Fish besides many other species.

Park Reef: This is an easy and ideal spot for beginners. It contains some fascinating rock formations densely covered with corals. You can enjoy watching Squids, Lobsters and even Turtles that roam happily here.

The Wall – Catalina: One of the best diving spots in the Dominican Republic, Catalina is a breathtaking drop-off that leads towards the wall. The top reef is full of interesting aquatic life to the extent that each square centimetre of it contains hard or soft coral and sponges. Catalina is overgrown with coral and its crevices are a hideout for abundant amount of reef creatures.

Shark Point: As the name suggests, this spot is home to Nurse Sharks and Black Tip Reef Sharks. You can explore a huge coral garden on reefs here. Since its depth is around 24 to 30 meters, it’s recommended only for advanced divers.

Shipwrecks

A lot of shipwrecks have happened in Punta Cana due to storms or collisions. Although the incidences were sad, these shipwrecks have now become the refuge for the diverse aquatic life of Punta Cana and scuba diving offers you a great chance to view these beautiful animals swimming in and out of the various parts of wrecks. Also, the ancient ships have historical vibes that are enchanting. Some of the most famous shipwrecks in Punta Cana are:

Wreck Monica: Monica was an 1880s French cargo ship built for transporting construction materials for the Panama Canal. Once it came too close to Punta Cana coasts and ran into the reefs. During scuba diving in Punta Cana, you can see the entire prop and components of machine, including the boiler, and also construction materials like railroad tracks. The most enthralling part of the site is the beautiful caves formed between the ship and the reef. They are a bit narrow but charming. Maximum depth of Monica is 15 meters and minimum is 5 meters, and the wreck is around ½ mile from the coast.

Submarine: The Submarine was created by a Russian engineer to make excursions. It was operating between 1994 and 2004. In 2004, hurricane George attacked the Dominican Republic and the ship sunk just a ¼ mile off the coast of Cabeza de Toro. Now it has become a famous diving spot. It measures 50 x 15 meters and its depth is 5 to 7 meters.

St. George Wreck, Bayahibe: The 73-meter (240 feet) long St. George is a Scottish ship built in 1962 for transporting barley and wheat to the Caribbean from Europe. It sunk just half a mile off the shores of Dominicus in Bayahibe and today is a refuge to wonderful creatures like Moray Eels, Groupers, Barracudas, King Mackerels and more. Since it’s 40 meters (131 feet) deep, it’s recommended only for advanced divers.

Best Diving Sites in Punta Cana

You may be eager to know the best diving sites, so, here they are:

Saona Island: Perhaps the most renowned attraction in the country, Saona Island contains world-class dives and heavenly beaches.

Bayahibe: A small fishing village located on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe contains the interesting St. George shipwreck described above. Bayahibe offers easy diving and is perhaps the best scuba diving Punta Cana.

Reading all the above information, I’m sure you’re eager to go diving! So, have you started planning a scuba diving trip to Punta Cana?