La Caleta Underwater National Park
Located offshore from Boca Chica, you will find La Caleta Underwater National Park. This is a protected marine environment and a great dive site area.
© istock/Elijah-Lovkoff
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic offers a unique diving experience that combines rich history with natural beauty. Known for its protected bay and La Caleta National Underwater Park, it features dive sites suitable for all skill levels. The park is home to spectacular shipwrecks like the Hickory and Limon, alongside vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Adventurous divers can explore an intriguing system of freshwater caves nearby, offering a thrilling experience for advanced and technical divers.
With calm currents and shallow, easy dives, Santo Domingo is perfect for beginners. However, those seeking more challenge can venture further south to areas with stronger currents ideal for drift dives. The variety of marine life is a major draw, with sightings of French angelfish, green moray eels, turtles, and even sharks and manatees. Most diving is done by speedboat, but there are also opportunities for shore diving, with liveaboards offering trips to the island’s top sites. Dive centers cater to all budgets, and the proximity to a major international airport makes Santo Domingo an accessible and exciting dive destination.
La Caleta National Park is a popular diving area, where wreck diving, cave diving and exceptional reef diving can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned underwater explorers alike.
Advanced and tec divers will appreciate the natural caves and tunnels, like Tanía and Roca Cueva caves, as well as the many historical wrecks, including El Limon and El Hickory.
Deep diving is also possible, especially at some of Santo Domingo’s most famous sites, such as the wreck of the Capitán Alsina and Don Quico.
The tropical Caribbean climate allows for excellent year-round diving, with water temperatures fluctuating between 24°C–28°C/75°F–82°F.
December to May is the dry season in Santo Domingo, promising ideal weather for diving and the calmest seas. What's more, from December to March, you might hear the songs of humpback whales while underwater. Book your trip early if you plan to stay during this time, as it's the tourist high season.
June to November is the rainy season, although showers normally last for a short period. Diving is still superb, with plentiful fish action and warmer summer ocean temperatures during this time. Be aware that this is also the Caribbean's hurricane season.
Photogenic flora and fauna all in varying rainbow hues are in abundance. Hard and soft corals, like sponges, gorgonians and many more decorate the reefs and wrecks. 35 species of coral and 12 types or gorgonians can be found in and around Santo Domingo, so there’s no lack of variation and color.
Plus, beautiful tropical fish swarm the reefs, from parrotfish and angelfish, to anemonefish and porcupine fish. In addition to barracuda, crabs, stingrays, eagle rays and moray eels, divers can even spot reef sharks and green sea turtles. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a manatee. Larger creatures to encounter include swordfish, bonitos, dorados and marlins.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 85
Curated by Interest
Mares
Aqualung
Shutterstock-Zi Magine
Mares-Predrag Vuckovic
Scubapro
Shutterstock-Ethan Daniels
Mares-Predrag Vuckovic
Mares-Bjoern Dorstewit
TheSSI Open Water Diver (OWD)is theA globally recognized beginner scuba diving course that teaches you how to dive independently. It qualifies you to dive with a dive buddy (Bud...
Show OfferA private dive instructor all to yourself!Would you like to receive personalized instruction away from the hustle and bustle of a dive center and complete theory and practical t...
Show OfferWith the SSI Try Scuba course, you can experience your first unforgettable breaths underwater. With an instructor by your side, you’ll dive carefree in confined open water and...
Show OfferBecoming a certified SSI Specialty Instructor is easy. Train as an instructor and register for any specialty instructor seminar you would like to teach. Alternatively, you can t...
Show OfferAs a deep diver, you have the unique opportunity to explore some of the world's best dive sites and most popular marine life. There is so much waiting for you in the deep blue s...
Show OfferAn Assistant Instructor Trainer prepares the Assistant Instructor for their theoretical instruction and practical training in the water. As an Assistant Instructor Trainer you...
Show OfferThe Assistant Instructor (AI) course is the ideal preparation for becoming an Open Water Instructor. As an AI you can hold pool and theory lessons independently and assist ...
Show OfferIf you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety...
Show OfferThe SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty course is the best way to learn how to protect yourself and other divers. You’ll learn how to recognize stress, prevent accidents, an...
Show OfferIn this specialty program, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natu...
Show OfferThe ocean is filled with dive sites, but many of the best ones can only be accessed by boat. If you want to discover these incredible dive sites, become an SSI boat diver. It is...
Show OfferIn this fascinating program, you will learn all the skills you need to safely and confidently conduct search and recovery dives. You will be taught how to use search pattern...
Show OfferMany of the ocean’s best dive sites are wrecks. These impressive structures attract unusually high densities of marine life and give you the chance to immerse in living histor...
Show Offer