Scuba Diving in Punta Cana- 5 Unique Species to See
There is always something fascinating about exploring unknown underwater facets when traveling to a new country. Scuba Diving is a great way to discover a destination, allowing divers the opportunity to experience traveling through a new perspective while exploring captivating underwater landscapes and intriguing local species. When travelling to a Caribbean Destination like Punta Cana, scuba diving is an exhilarating activity to add to your bucket list. With miles of turquoise beaches awaiting to be explored, here are a list of 5 Amazing Marine Species that can be seen while Scuba Diving in Punta Cana. So grab your snorkel and mask and get ready to embark on a new adventure!
Trumpetfish
A close relative to the seahorse, the trumpetfish display a sense of elegance with its elongated body. The name trumpetfish was given as a result of it’s resemblance to the mouth piece of a trumpet. These slow swimming fish have mastered the art of camouflage to hide from potential predators. You will often time find them in disguise by a nearby sponge, shifting tones to resemble the surrounding corals.
Smooth Trunkfish
The smooth trunkfish is one of the most intriguing fish species found on a scuba dive trip in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic. A solidary species, the trunkfish is often found swimming unaccompanied in shallow reefs throughout the Caribbean. The smooth trunkfish is a member of the boxfish family of fish species and is characterized by it’s triangular body frame covered with pale spots. The trunkfish produces toxin when stressed or threatened.
Green Sea Turtle
Swimming side by side to a green sea turtle is often the highlight of many divers trip in Punta Cana. It is no surprise that these graceful marine creatures are among the top sea creatures on every divers bucket list. The green sea turtle is usually found in tropical seas around the world. Sadly the green turtle is classified as an endangered species as a result of hunting of adult species and the loss of beach sites for nesting.
Parrotfish
The Parrotfish is one of the most attractive fish species that is spotted in Punta Cana’s coral reefs. As a juvenile, Parrotfish have brownish patterns which transform to a vibrant pallet of colors when an adult. They are extremely important for coral reefs, the Parrotfish diet is predominantly Algae from corals, helping maintain a healthy coral ecosystem, reports National Geographic.
Yellow Stingray
The yellow stingray is perhaps one of the most striking stingrays due to its unique coloring and marks. Yellow Stingrays can have distinct colors and patterns that change tones offering an ideal camouflage for hiding from potential predators.
