3 Useful Tips for Scuba Diving in Punta Cana
Scuba Diving in Punta Cana is one of the many activities that travelers can partake during their vacation. As a popular beach destination it is no surprise that scuba diving is among the top things to do in Punta Cana. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced diver, these 3 tips will help you plan your dives in Punta Cana.
1. Varying Ocean Conditions
The Ocean and weather conditions in Punta Cana will vary by season. Late spring and summer are the best time to go scuba diving in Punta Cana. During the warmer months, the Atlantic Ocean is calmer and visibility can reach up to 100 feet. An added bonus is that the warm sunny months offer the perfect weather to be out in the water. The winter season (from Mid-December to Early March) is known to have stronger currents and tides. The change in ocean conditions are a direct result of the cold fronts moving from the North Atlantic south. During the winter month’s dive shops in Punta Cana will organize dive trips to the Caribbean side which is calmer in the winter. Destinations such as Bayahibe and Juan Dolio are great locations to scuba dive year round.
2. Diving Options from Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic, offer something for every diver. From wrecks to walls, divers tend to have specific preferences for the type of diving they enjoy. Although Punta Cana is not particularly famous for Diving, with a bit of research you can find some great dive spots. Punta Cana’s major dive sites are generally less than 50 feet deep and located 10 to 15 minutes boat ride from the beach. If you are the type of diver that prefers to get two dives in the morning and return to your resort by lunch, then the local dive trips are a great choice. However, if you want to explore some of the top dive sites in the Dominican Republic, then expect a longer commute. The intricate network of caverns in Dominican Republic have become a popular choice for Cave Diving. Macao Beach is a great destination for Cave Diving, if you are planning to cave dive, it is highly recommended to go with a qualified diver center that has the proper technical qualifications for caverns. For divers that enjoy the thrill of descending an underwater wall, then ‘The Wall’ at Catalina Island would be one to mark off your dive vacation bucket list. Strategically located in the heart of the Caribbean the Dominican Republic has its fair share of historic shipwrecks. A few of the best wrecks reachable from Punta Cana are: Atlantic Princess (Bayahibe) and Tanya V (Juan Dolio) and St George (Bayahibe). For divers with family, snorkel and dive excursions to the smaller islands might be the best way to dive while having the family join the fun. Popular island destination such as Saona Island or Catalina Island are 2 hours from Punta Cana and have superb diving, with the bonus of relaxing in postcard beaches with a cold ‘cerveza’ after a successful day out in the water.
3. Divers Experience Level
If you are a diver with 400 plus dives who’s dove in the world’s most exotic dive destinations (Red Sea, Indonesia, Micronesia, etc) then chances are that the dives in Punta Cana might not be up to par with what you are used to. If you are looking for adventure and quality dives, then your best bet are the wreck dives and island national parks on the Caribbean Side. Or perhaps furthering your Dive Education with a Certification Course might be the perfect option. Maybe you are a scuba enthusiast who craves the sense of relaxation from diving whose goal is to spend as much time underwater as possible, then the convenience of local dive trips might be the perfect choice. Whatever your dive preferences are, with proper planning and preparation you’ll find that there is something for every diver visiting Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
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