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Explore the Mysterious Underwater World of the
Dominican Republic (DR)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – MAR. 31, 2011 – Discover the endless underwater world of the
Dominican Republic (DR), a diver paradise with nearly 1,000 miles of breathtaking coastline that
feature colorful marine life and intriguing shipwrecks from when pirates sailed the Caribbean.
Located roughly 800 miles south of Miami, the DR boasts numerous sea grass beds, vibrant coral
reefs, mysterious underwater caves and some of the region’s most unique sea creatures. Simply
put, divers should expect the unexpected.
Scuba Divers Explore Magical Sea Life Surrounding the DR
“We are a top-notch diving destination amid turquoise waters so clear and blue one has to see to
believe. The DR offers diverse marine life, excellent certified diving schools and accessible dive
sites along our amazing coasts,” said Magaly Toribio, DR Ministry of Tourism, Vice Minister of
International Promotion. “The DR has it all with developed tourist areas boasting world-class hotels
and also more off-the-beaten-path options for the adventurous, independent divers.”
With the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the following
underwater treasures await you in the DR:
Sheer Exhilaration in the South
The DR’s Southcentral Coast is home to illuminating coral, technicolor fish, an underwater national
park, mysterious caverns and is well-suited for both beginner and experienced divers. East of
capital city Santo Domingo near Boca Chica, La Caleta Underwater National Park delights
beginners and experienced divers alike at 600 square miles and 600 feet deep. With fascinating
reef and wreck diving, La Caleta is known for attracting multicolor fish and will soon introduce the
first underwater museum of submerged Dominican-themed sculptures.
Nearby, divers can explore the 69 foot wreck of the tugboat El Limo, embedded among coral reefs,
and the 144 foot wreck of The Hickory, surrounded by hundreds of yellow tube sponge clusters
that swim among this treasure-salvage vessel.
Also hidden in the DR’s south waters is El Catuán, a sunken ship buried 60 feet underwater, and
Barracuda Reef, a natural underwater mountain thriving with barracudas. Here you will discover
mysterious underwater caves like Cueva Taína, El Hipódromo and El Tildo.
More adventurous divers can explore the DR’s extreme southern coastal area near BarahonaPedernales. This less-traveled coast features warmer waters and well-protected dives due to the
reef structures and coastal curve.
Adventure along the Southeast Coast
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With a wealth of marine life, the DR’s Southeast Coast has one of the Caribbean’s largest sunken
ships, the 266 foot long St. George, where you may come face to face with grouper, barracudas,
dolphins, morays, and mackerel, to name a few.
Southwest of La Romana, the idyllic Catalina Island offers 15 to 140 feet deep dives in reefs like
La Pared (The Wall), or caves like Hoyo Azul (Blue Hole) and Padre Nuestro Cave (Our Father’s
Cave). Catalina Island is also home to the aquarium, a large coral formation inhabited by toad fish,
sea horses and the lion fish. Just off Catalina Island is a spectacular wall dive of a coral slope
running 130 feet deep to a sandy bottom, with an abundance of fish, corals and sponges along the
way.
Adrenaline Rush on the North Coast
Offering 225 miles of amazing coastline from the Samaná Peninsula to Montecristi, the North
Coast is filled with colorful coral, rich marine fauna, unrivaled caves, tunnels and reef abysses.
Waters surrounding Samaná are known for more challenging dives, especially around Las
Galeras. A quick boat ride away, divers can journey 120 feet down and swim around the coral
tower Cabo Cabron and other coral landscapes like Las Tres Puertas (The Three Doors) and La
Piedra (The Stone).
For exploration on land, be sure to visit the Deep Blue Marine’s Shipwreck Museum in Samaná
with cool exhibits of artifacts recovered from ancient shipwrecks. Exhibitions have included
artifacts from Le Scipion, a French warship that fought in the American War of Independence, as
well as several other major historical wrecks
Hidden in the protected waters of Sosua Bay, northwest of Samaná, are underwater gardens, wall
and reef diving, and shipwrecks, all swimming with an array of marine life. Divers can travel west
of Sosua to Montecristi and observe a variety of coral reefs, such as Cayo Arena, as well as the
remains of nearly 230 shipwrecks, including one from the Spanish fleet that sunk in 1563.
For more information and scuba diving brochures, visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.
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The Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, the DR
has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more
than one million U.S. visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America
by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses,
upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm
Dominican people. The DR features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a
chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of
Tourism’s official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.
For more information, contact:
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BVK Public Relations for DR Ministry of Tourism
Vanessa Welter: (414)247-3803 or [email protected]
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