Scuba Diving in Bayahibe is often said to be among the best of the best in the Dominican Republic. Peppered with dive centers and dive resorts catering to all budgets, this idyllic Caribbean paradise nestled in the La Altagracia Province lures beach bums and underwater fanatics from around the globe year after year. 

With over 20 dive sites to choose from in Bayahibe, including easy, shallow reefs perfect for beginners to undertake entry-level dive courses, in addition to action-packed drifts, dramatic walls, encrusted wrecks and exciting cave diving, there’s something for every diver’s taste and skill level. Tech divers can also explore freshwater cave systems in depth.  

Many of the miles of fringing reefs lie just offshore Bayahibe, are perfect for beginners and are only a short boat ride away. Currents are mostly minimal when diving in Bayahibe, as well as on the sheltered side of Saona Island, which is a nearby popular diving zone. At Shark Point, Catalina Island and Saona’s west side, currents can be stronger, and thus many dive sites are more suited to advanced divers, though there are plenty of areas that beginners can enjoy. For non-diving companions, it’s good news, as many of Bayahibe’s dive sites are perfect for snorkelers.

The crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sea that bathes Bayahibe’s dive sites allows for welcoming year-round diving, thanks to warm, tropical climate maintaining water temperatures that range between 25-30°C. Visibility averages between 25-30 meters most of the year. 

June to November is the rainy season, though downpours often pass quickly. What’s more, dive sites are usually uncrowded, and there are great deals on flights, accommodation and diving to be had. 

December to May boasts sunnier and drier days and is the country’s high season. The south coast seas are calmest at this time, and diving conditions are all-round more ideal.
 

Bayahibe diving offers a myriad of options for all comfort levels. Underwater environments allow for excellent wall diving, fast-paced drifts in energetic currents, cave exploration, technical diving and otherworldly reef diving, where coral structures, swim-throughs and tunnels add even more flavour to the dive sites. 

Shore diving is rare, and the majority of operators offer boat diving trips. Some use catamarans to sites further away, such as at Catalina Island.

An array of tropical fish thrive among the rainbow-hued hard and soft corals. From parrotfish, butterfly and angelfish and anemonefish, to schooling fish, there’s countless to spot.

Barracudas prowl in deeper water and reef sharks can sometimes be seen lurking along the walls. Nurse sharks and giant stingrays linger on reefs and sandy bottoms, and if you keep one eye glued to the blue, you might even catch an eagle ray passing by.

Also, camouflage experts like octopus can be seen with observant eyes, and leatherback, loggerhead, hawksbill and green sea turtles regularly grace divers and snorkelers with their presence on shallow reefs. 

While on your way to the dive site, playful dolphins might put on a show alongside the boat. For an extra special treat, manatee encounters are possible near the estuaries.

A must for advanced and technical divers, the three cave systems near Bayahibe, Playa Dorada and Santo Domingo are unmissable. It’s not only the eerie caverns and beautiful topography that attracts adventure-seekers, but also the variety of freshwater species that populate the caves. 

Nearby to Bayahibe the uninhabited Catalina Island, designated as a protected national park, has two well-known dive sites to explore, namely The Wall and The Aquarium. Here, there are gorgeous coral gardens and bountiful fish life, in addition to the possibility of pelagics. 

Saona Island offers shallow sandbars and exciting drift diving. Three favourite dive sites include El Faro (aka Lighthouse), La Parguera and Shark Point. At Shark Point, divers often enjoy encounters with reef sharks, nurse sharks and giant stingrays. Other points of interest include caverns, ancient corals, and even passing eagle rays. El Faro boasts an enormous coral reef with sandy bars, where divers can inspect coral nurseries developed in Bayahibe.

The St George Wreck is another must-see for any wreck enthusiast. Intentionally sank to serve as a diving attraction and artificial reef, the 73-meter freighter now rests between 22 and 40 meters just offshore of Bayahibe, and hosts a wealth of marine creatures. Other interesting nearby sites to visit here are Viva Shallow, Dominicus Reef and Magallanes.

The Atlantic Princess Wreck, another purpose-sunk vessel, is popular for beginners. Due to its shallow depths, it’s illuminated by the sun, promising a bright and fantastic first wreck dive experience for novices.

In the Parque Nacional del Este (East National Park), the magnificent fringing coral reefs seethe marine abundance. Some of the best sites here are Dos Cocos, La Tortuga and Aquarium Profundo, all which boast beautiful fauna and intense amounts of vibrant fish. The Penon dive site is also within this protected zone, and is one of the favourites here. The reef system is exceptionally healthy, and oozes all wavelengths of color.