Explore La Altagracia Province

La Altagracia Province situated on the east coast of the Dominican Republic is a popular diving destination that is suitable for all skill levels. Dotted with dive centers and dive resorts offering trips and dive courses catering to every budget, there’s something for everyone. Higuey is the capital city of the region, where plentiful operators are based.

Within the province there are several major diving areas where all kinds of diving is possible. Shallow reefs, freshwater caves, wrecks and exciting drift diving attract adventure-seekers from around the globe.

Firstly, there’s Punta Cana, which plays host to magnificent coral reefs and shallow dive sites. Nestled where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, these corals form an enormous barrier reef that stretches north to Bavaro, where even more dive sites await.

Saona Island offers amazing diving, including mangrove forests, shipwrecks, fast-paced drifts, freshwater caves, reefs, swim-throughs and underwater cliffs. It’s also possible to spot nurse sharks here.

The uninhabited island of Catalina has two main dive sites, which are pelagic hotspots. Now a designated protected area, the island and its underwater life continues to thrive.

Bayahibe is also a great location for divers, where scuba diving is relaxing and easy. Many reefs lie just offshore on the sheltered side of Saona Island, where currents are minimal. Advanced divers will find the stronger currents at Catalina Island, Shark Point and Saona’s west side exciting. Santo Domingo also entails cave diving for tec divers.

As a whole, boat diving is common practice, and a few liveaboards prowl the area. Some operators use catamarans for trips to Catalina Island.

Scuba diving in La Altagracia province is great year-round thanks to its Caribbean tropical climate that maintains 26°C-28°C waters. However, the best time to dive is from March until July, when seas and calm and visibility is at its clearest.

Places to Explore

Catalina Island

3 Divesites

Diving at Catalina Island offers an enchanting underwater experience that captivates adventurers with its diverse marine life and stunning dive environments. Situated off the coast of Southern California, this island is renowned for its unique kelp forests, which create a mesmerizing underwater landscape. These towering kelp canopies provide a habitat for a wide array of marine species, including the brightly colored Garibaldi, California's state marine fish, and the playful sea lions that often accompany divers on their journeys.

Punta Cana

7 Divesites 5 Centers

Scuba diving in Punta Cana offers a thrilling underwater adventure, captivating divers with its diverse marine landscapes and vibrant aquatic life. Located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, Punta Cana presents an expansive array of underwater experiences. With its stunning white beaches and crystal-clear waters, the region is home to the longest reef in the Dominican Republic. Divers can explore sensational shallow reefs, colorful coral gardens, mysterious caves, and canyons, all teeming with life.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Shark Dominican Divers

Open Water Diver

04 Dec 2025

Dieses weltweit anerkannte Zertifizierungsprogramm ist der beste Weg, um als zertifizierter Scuba Diver in ein lebenslanges Abenteuer zu starten. Individuelles Training wird mit Lektionen im Wasser kombiniert, um sicherzustellen, dass du die erforderlichen Fertigkeiten und Erfahrungen hast, um dich unter Wasser wirklich wohl zu fühlen. Du wirst die SSI Open Water Diver Zertifizierung erhalten.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Shark Dominican Divers

Try Scuba

08 Dec 2025

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Shark Dominican Divers

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

30 Jan 2026

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Atlantic Princess (Wreck)

This wreck sits in the Bayahibe area, just in front of Dreams La Romana Resort. It is an old passenger liner, 30 ft wide and 99 ft long, sunk as an artificial reef in May 2009.

1,911
Logs
1,399
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Catalina Aquarium

An enjoyable, easy, shallow dive with lots of stingrays, lobsters, and reef life. Usually the second dive for dive charters due to its shallow depth. A great snorkel as well.

1,872
Logs
1,535
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Guaraguao

Guaraguao is a fairly shallow reef located in Parque Nacional Del Este with a max depth of only 40 feet. A great site for beginning divers and snorkelers. It is an artificial archeological site where cannons, cannonballs, and ancient muskets were brought here from a sunken galley for scuba divers to enjoy.

860
Logs
560
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Coco Reef

Spectacular reef at 12 meters. Statues and a beautiful coral garden are both found here. Jardin de corales. There is numerous marine life with incredible colors. A great place for conducting training.

331
Logs
233
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Catalina The Wall

Catalina Wall (Santa Catalina Wall) is considered one of the best walls in the Dominican Republic. Diving here is available for divers of all levels as the reef starts shallow and then drops off deeper. The wall is covered with a beautiful reef full of corals every color, shape, and size.

1,861
Logs
1,567
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ El Peñon - Dominican Republic

El Peñon is a long reef that can be divided up into 3 different dive sites all sitting in about 40 to 90 feet of saltwater. Not as popular as some of the Dominican Republic’s other dive sites, making it a bit more pristine and less crowded, so it’s worth the longer boat ride out here.

980
Logs
672
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ St. George (Wreck)

The St George Wreck is one of the most favorite dive sites in the Bayahibe area, if not all of the DR. The wreck sits in 144 feet of water, and is thus considered an advanced dive, however, the top of the wreck is at 50 feet and can be explored by newer divers who can watch their depth.

974
Logs
719
Divers
32.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Astron, wreck

This wreck sits in 40-50 feet of water just offshore from Punta Cana and is a true shipwreck. The 300-foot Russian ship sank in 1979 while delivering a huge amount of corn to Cuba. It sits right offshore and thus can be done as a shore dive, with part of the ship still sitting above water.

579
Logs
458
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Bayahibe

Bayahibe offers some of the best diving the Dominican Republic has to offer from shipwrecks and pristine coral reefs to national parks full of cool caverns and swim-throughs just waiting to be explored.

1,542
Logs
631
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Catalina Island - Dominican Republic

The island is a natural park with limited access; there is only one small beach where visitors are allowed to go to shore and is mostly not worth it as it is so crowded. The wall dive here of the island is spectacular and there is great shallow reefs for both diving and snorkeling.

943
Logs
577
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Dominicus Reef

An awesome dive site that’s easily accessible from shore with beautiful coral and marine life to see. Dominicus Reef is part of the same reef that goes from Viva Shallow and continues along the coast all the way to El Peñon and Piscina Natural.

866
Logs
620
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Manolo Cave

A fun reef dive with small cave/cavern to explore and fun swim-throughs. Lots of healthy reef life and multicolored hard and soft corals. Look for nurse sharks hiding under ledges.

122
Logs
92
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Punta Cana

Punta Cana shares the country’s longest reef system and is littered with amazing dive sites consisting of artificial reefs and healthy coral reefs full of marine life.

1,180
Logs
566
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Paradise - Dominican Republic

Paradies Reef is just that, an underwater paradise and a must-see dive off the coast of Punta Cana. The reef sits in 26 feet to 105 feet of water so there is something for every level of diver. A great night dive location as well to see the Dinoflagellates glow in the water at night.

501
Logs
362
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Park Reef

Sitting just off Punta Cana, this is a great dive site for new open water divers. Park Reef features interesting rock formations overgrown with corals and populated with abundant marine life.

936
Logs
651
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in La Altagracia Province

La Altagracia Province in the Dominican Republic offers some of the Caribbean's top dive sites, boasting a blend of shore and liveaboard diving experiences. Notable wreck dives include the Astron, a massive freighter shipwreck near Punta Cana, providing divers with hauntingly beautiful explorations amidst vibrant coral and abundant marine life.

For those preferring shore dives, Bayahibe is a popular choice, offering easy access to colorful reef systems teeming with tropical fish. Unique experiences such as night dives are also available, where divers can witness the mesmerizing bioluminescence and nocturnal marine behaviors. The region's diverse offerings make it a prime destination for both novice and experienced divers seeking adventure beneath the waves.

The best Months to dive in La Altagracia Province

La Altagracia Province in the Dominican Republic offers excellent year-round diving conditions, thanks to its tropical climate. Water temperatures range from 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F, making it comfortable for divers throughout the year. Visibility is typically excellent, averaging between 15 meters/50 feet to 30 meters/100 feet, ensuring clear views of the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.

While diving is possible all year, the most favorable conditions generally occur between December and April, coinciding with the dry season. During this period, the weather is more stable with less rainfall and calmer seas. However, from June to November, divers should be aware of the hurricane season, which can bring stronger winds and currents, potentially affecting dive plans. It’s advisable for divers to check local forecasts and plan their dives accordingly.

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Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Shark Dominican Divers

Av Espana plaza mayoral local 211, 23000 Bavaro, DOM

Pelicano Sport Divers

HOTEL VIK ARENA BLANCA (acuatica ), 23301 Bavaro - PUNTA CANA - LA ALTAG, DOM

Klub Aquatic

Avenida Alemania A-B 108 El Cortecito, 23000 Punta Cana, DOM

BLUE DREAMS DIVING

CALLE JUAN BRITO 2, 23000 BAYAHIBE, DOM

Dolin Dive Center

Hotel Gran Paladium, 23301 BAVARO, DOM

Grand Bay of The Sea

Calle marlin azul plaza tropical local #5, 23000 HIGUEY, DOM

Sharky’s Crew Diving

Paqueo Principal, 23000 Bayahibe, DOM