Diving in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, is a busy, bustling city, making it the less obvious choice when thinking about diving. However, because the southern coast is well protected, you will find great diving only a short boat ride away. Boca Chica is a popular dive area and the gateway to the best dive sites in the region; explore Boca Chica to find some of the best-preserved historical wrecks. Santo Domingo is also famous for its beautiful and colorful coral reefs and abundant fish species such as French angelfish, green moray eels, drumfish, trumpetfish, turtles, stingrays, and even sharks and manatees. One of the most popular places to dive in the Dominican Republic, with two sunken ships you can explore, is La Caleta National Underwater Park; this park is considered a natural treasure for its abundant marine life, fourteen dive sites, and the many shipwrecks you can explore including The Hickory. Santo Domingo, Bayahibe, and Playa Dorada offer great cave dive sites for the adventurers. Santo Domingo has a large international airport and many dive sites that sit offshore. Remember that during summer it’s hurricane season, so be careful when you make your travel plans. The best time to visit is during the winter when you’ll find better weather and sea conditions. This city is a fantastic and easy dive getaway for people from all over the world.
Dive Sites in Santo Domingo
Featured places to go in Santo Domingo
La Caleta Underwater National Park
Aquatic Life in Santo Domingo
Diving in Santo Domingo, you will see many healthy and thriving coral reefs that make up a beautiful and colorful underwater landscape. You can also expect to see diverse Caribbean reef fish species such as queen, gray and French angelfish, green moray eels, drumfish, trumpetfish, filefish, and damselfish, to name a few. You will encounter larger marine life as well, including barracuda, eagle rays, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels. Be prepared to see playful dolphins in their natural habitat and come face to face with turtles and manta rays. If you are lucky enough, you might even see the elusive manatee.