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Scuba diving in Bayahibe: Best spots and prices
Scuba diving in Bayahibe is an incredible way to discover the marine life that inhabits the Dominican Caribbean.
Scuba diving in Bayahibe brings you to a charming village on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, with clear waters, vibrant reefs, and shipwrecks to explore. It is one of the Caribbean’s top destinations for underwater exploration. While the town is also known for its relaxing resorts, diving provides a unique way to experience this Caribbean paradise.
From calm, beginner-friendly dives to explorations of historic shipwrecks like the Atlantic Princess or the St. George Wreck, diving in Bayahibe is always an adventure. With Cotubanama National Park nearby, the marine ecosystems are well protected, making every dive a close encounter with healthy coral, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, and schools of tropical fish.
If you’re thinking about your next underwater adventure, stay with us and learn everything you need to know about diving in Bayahibe.
What are the best diving centers and schools in Bayahibe?
Bayahibe is the perfect starting point for exploring the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful Caribbean reefs. Most dive centers are located right in town, along the coast and near the main pier, though some operate out of resorts like Viva Wyndham or Hilton La Romana.
From there, daily trips head out to the most iconic dive sites, including the Atlantic Princess and St. George shipwrecks, the reefs of Cotubanama National Park, and the waters surrounding Catalina Island and Saona Island, two true underwater paradises.
All of the dive schools are PADI certified and offer everything from beginner discovery dives to professional courses, with modern equipment and multilingual staff.
1- Coral Point Diving
Right in the center of town on Bayahibe’s main beach, Coral Point Diving is one of the most respected and well-equipped dive centers in the country. As a PADI Career Development Center, it offers training all the way up to instructor level.
They offer PADI courses at every level, from beginner discovery dives to Divemaster, along with specialties like night diving, deep diving, and wreck diving. Their boats head out daily to the Atlantic Princess, the St. George, and the reefs of Cotubanama National Park.
They also run snorkeling trips to Saona Island, marine conservation programs, and reef biology workshops. With their strong commitment to the environment and an international team, they are an excellent choice for diving in Bayahibe, whether it’s your first dive or you’re already an experienced diver.
2- Dressel Divers Bayahibe
Based at the Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus resort, Dressel Divers is one of the Caribbean’s most established operators, with over 30 years of experience. As a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, it’s known for its professionalism and top-quality facilities, making it another great option for diving in Bayahibe.
Like the previous school, the center offers PADI courses and certifications at all levels, guided dives, trips to the area’s main wrecks, and full-day excursions to Catalina Island.
They also offer free Nitrox, underwater photography services, and customized trips. The school combines diving with snorkeling and catamaran outings, making it an ideal choice for couples or groups that include non-divers.
3- ScubaFun Bayahibe
Right in the center of town, just a short walk from the pier, ScubaFun is a family-run dive school known for its welcoming atmosphere and personalized attention. As a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, it prides itself on an international team of instructors offering courses in English, Spanish, French, and German.
They offer the full range of PADI courses, from beginner discovery dives to advanced levels, and run daily trips to the St. George Wreck, Atlantic Princess, Peñón 1 and 2, and the reefs around Catalina Island.
They also offer combined diving and snorkeling packages, private trips, and conservation programs. It’s another great choice for those looking for a full, personalized experience without large groups.
4- Scubacaribe Bayahibe
Located within the Hilton La Romana, Scubacaribe Bayahibe is a modern, well-equipped dive school catering to both hotel guests and independent divers. It is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort with its own boats and a team of certified instructors.
Their PADI courses range from guided dives to technical and night diving, with special programs for kids and families. Regular dive sites include the St. George and Atlantic Princess wrecks, the park’s reefs, and the underwater walls around Catalina Island.
Their strength lies in their organization and convenience, with trips departing directly from the resort’s pier and all equipment available on-site.
5- Reef Oasis Viva Dominicus Dive Club
Located within the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach & Palace resort, Reef Oasis Dive Club is another well-known dive school in the Caribbean. It is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort with experienced instructors, modern equipment, and a fleet of speedboats.
Like the other schools, their courses cater to divers of all levels. What sets them apart is that they offer free trial dives in the pool and daily trips to reefs and wrecks. The most popular sites include the Atlantic Princess, St. George, El Peñón, and the coral gardens of Cotubanama National Park.
They also offer underwater photography programs, night dives, and eco-focused specialties. Their emphasis on sustainability and marine education makes them a great choice for divers who want to enjoy Bayahibe while protecting the environment.
6- Swiss Diving School “Casa Daniel”
Founded by Swiss instructors, Casa Daniel is one of the area’s longest-standing dive schools. Affiliated with PADI, it is known for its professional yet friendly and multilingual atmosphere.
They provide training for divers of all levels, from first-time discovery dives to advanced certifications, and run daily trips to nearby sites like El Peñón, Atlantic Princess, and St. George. They also organize excursions to Catalina Island and Saona Island, with opportunities to mix diving and snorkeling.
Their biggest strength is the team’s experience and personalized approach, tailoring each group to the divers’ skill levels to ensure both safety and enjoyment.
7- Go Dive Bayahibe
Go Dive Bayahibe is located near the town pier and combines professional diving with unique tourist experiences. They offer PADI courses, guided dives, and boat trips to the area’s top dive sites.
In addition to dives at St. George and Atlantic Princess, they run trips that combine diving, snorkeling, and a beach day on Saona Island, complete with food and drinks.
It is a perfect option for those looking for a flexible service, with the possibility of enjoying diving without giving up the Caribbean vacation atmosphere.
What are the best places to dive in Bayahibe?
Along the Bayahibe coastline, you’ll find some of the Caribbean’s most iconic dive sites. The clear waters, with visibility up to 30 meters, sandy bottoms, and vibrant reefs make every dive a unique experience. The area also offers more than 20 dive spots reachable within a 30-minute boat ride, making it easy to fit two or three dives into a single day.
Here are the most notable diving spots in Bayahibe:
1. St. George Shipwreck
- Location: Off the coast of Dominicus, 800 meters from shore
- Depth: Between 12 and 40 meters
- Recommended level: Intermediate to advanced
The St. George is the most famous shipwreck in the Dominican Republic. This 73-meter British cargo ship was deliberately sunk in 1999 to create an artificial reef and has since become a true underwater sanctuary.
The wreck is covered in hard corals, sponges, and gorgonians, often surrounded by schools of jacks, barracudas, angelfish, groupers, and turtles. The top of the ship sits around 12 meters deep, while the keel reaches 40 meters, making it an ideal site for Advanced courses or experienced divers.
Conditions are generally calm, though moderate currents can occur at times. It’s definitely a must-visit for anyone looking for an exciting dive with a touch of history.
2. Atlantic Princess Shipwreck
- Location: Opposite the town of Bayahibe
- Depth: 12 to 16 meters
- Recommended level: All levels
The Atlantic Princess was a passenger ship that ran aground during a storm in 2008 and was later intentionally sunk for recreational diving. Its close proximity to the shore makes it one of the most accessible wrecks in the Dominican Republic.
Unlike the St. George, this wreck has a more compact layout, making it a safer choice for those new to wreck diving. It is home to marine life such as parrotfish, damselfish, morays, lionfish, nudibranchs, and octopuses, making it a fantastic spot for underwater photography.
Perfect for first dives, training dives, or relaxed dives, with crystal clear visibility and minimal currents.
3. Dominicus Reef
- Location: Opposite Dominicus Beach, a few minutes by boat from Bayahibe
- Depth: 6 to 18 meters
- Recommended level: Beginners and intermediate divers
Dominicus Reef is one of the most vibrant and healthy reefs in the area. Its sandy bottom and gentle slopes make it easy to explore and enjoy the scenery without worrying about depth.
The reef is full of butterflyfish, surgeonfish, gobies, crabs, cleaner shrimp, and hawksbill turtles, along with large sea fans and brain corals. Local dive schools often use this site for courses and first certified dives.
With calm seas and excellent visibility, this is the typical Caribbean reef that everyone imagines when they think of diving in the Dominican Republic.
4. Peñón Reef (Peñón I and Peñón II)
- Location: Inside Cotubanama National Park, off the coast of the park
- Depth: 8 to 25 meters
- Recommended level: All levels
The two reefs known as Peñón I and II are among the most iconic sites in Cotubanama National Park. Formerly called Parque del Este, this protected area stretches along about 80 kilometers of coastline and includes all of Saona Island.
Beneath the surface, the park’s waters feature interconnected hard coral formations that create walls, tunnels, and small underwater canyons. This makes Peñón I and II some of the top dive sites in Bayahibe.
In these waters, you can come face to face with stingrays, lobsters, green moray eels, and sea turtles, along with schools of tropical fish and healthy, vibrant corals.
Peñón I is shallower and ideal for beginner dives or relaxed explorations, while Peñón II goes deeper and draws more experienced divers. The marine life and underwater scenery place these sites among the top three dive spots in any Caribbean guide.
5. Viva Shallow Reef
- Location: Opposite the Viva Wyndham Dominicus resort
- Depth: 6 to 14 meters
- Recommended level: All levels
Just a few minutes by boat, this reef is perfect for beginners, with calm waters and plenty of marine life. The shallow depths let sunlight illuminate the corals, making it an excellent spot for underwater photography.
You’ll often spot pufferfish, trumpetfish, butterflyfish, as well as small turtles and seahorses. Thanks to its calm waters and close proximity, it is a favorite spot for beginner dives and Open Water courses.
6. El Aquarium Reef
- Location: Opposite Bayahibe, near Dominicus Reef
- Depth: 10 to 20 meters
- Recommended level: All levels
The name is fitting. This site resembles a living aquarium. With clear water, soft corals, and a dazzling variety of fish, every part of the reef is a stunning sight.
Here, you can see schools of surgeonfish, sergeant majors, angelfish, lionfish, and spotted morays. The gentle terrain and minimal currents make it ideal for relaxed diving or practicing macro photography.
7. Catalina Island
- Location: 25 minutes by boat from Bayahibe
- Depth: 5 to 30 meters
- Recommended level: All levels
Catalina Island is another gem of the Dominican Caribbean. Its southern reef, known as The Wall, drops vertically to over 30 meters, creating one of the most impressive underwater walls in the region.
This area is famous for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, including giant tube sponges, black corals, parrotfish, snappers, and hawksbill turtles. Most dive trips are full-day experiences, with two dives, a beach lunch, and time for snorkeling, making it a complete adventure.
8. Saona Island
- Location: 45 minutes from Bayahibe (Cotubanama National Park)
- Depth: 6 to 18 meters
- Recommended level: Beginners and intermediate divers
Saona Island is another must-visit spot for diving in the Dominican Republic. Its shallow reefs and protected natural surroundings make every dive feel like a picture-perfect scene.
The most popular spots are Catuano, Canal de Catuano, and Punta Cacón, all featuring clear waters, soft corals, and tropical fish. You can also encounter eagle rays, trumpetfish, seahorses, and sometimes dolphins. Thanks to its beauty and calm conditions, it is a favorite choice for divers who want to combine diving with sightseeing in a single day.
9. Guaraguao Reef
- Location: 15 minutes east of Bayahíbe
- Depth: 10 to 22 meters
- Recommended level: Intermediate
Guaraguao Reef is known for its well-preserved condition and varied terrain. White sandy patches alternate with large coral formations that provide habitat for stingrays, moray eels, groupers, and schools of parrotfish and surgeonfish.
With clear waters and its location away from the main harbor, this spot is less crowded, making it perfect for divers who prefer a more relaxed dive.
10. Cueva de los Pescadores Reef
- Location: Dominicus coastal area
- Depth: 12 to 18 meters
- Recommended level: Intermediate
A favorite among local divers, this spot features tunnels and natural cavities covered in coral. Lobsters, moray eels, and hermit crabs are commonly seen, along with turtles resting among the rocks.
Its irregular terrain makes it a particularly interesting spot for those who enjoy exploration diving and underwater photography.
Each location offers a unique experience of the Caribbean, from historic wrecks and colorful reefs to endless underwater walls. That is why Bayahibe is considered the heart of diving in the Dominican Republic, a destination where the sea is always inviting, whether it is your very first dive or your hundredth.
Connectivity in Bayahibe
For many, diving in Bayahibe is a chance to unplug. But if you want to stay connected to share your dives or plan trips, it helps to know what the internet and mobile coverage are like in the area.
Mobile and WiFi signals are reliable in the town center and at the main resorts. But if you are in Bayahibe to explore and dive, you will likely spend most of your day out of the hotel. On boat trips to Catalina Island or Saona Island, there is no WiFi, especially as you venture deeper into Cotubanama National Park.
For this reason, many travelers choose a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data in the Dominican Republic, giving you internet access as soon as you arrive. This option is perfect for a short trip focused solely on this destination. If Bayahibe is just one stop on a longer journey through the Americas, or if you plan to combine remote work with diving, Holafly Plans is the smarter choice.
Holafly’s monthly plans offer a convenient way to stay connected in over 160 countries, including the Dominican Republic, thanks to their global eSIM. You can choose between unlimited data or 25 GB and enjoy a reliable connection using the strongest available mobile network, with the flexibility to cancel whenever you need.
With Holafly, you can check the weather, send your location to the dive center, or upload photos without relying on the hotel’s WiFi.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
How much does diving cost in Bayahibe?
Diving in Bayahibe is one of the most rewarding and accessible experiences in the Caribbean. As one of the Dominican Republic’s top tourist destinations, prices remain reasonable, and most dive schools include equipment, boat transport, a certified guide, and insurance.
Here are some example prices to give you a general idea. Keep in mind that rates can vary by season and between dive schools, so it’s best to check in advance to avoid any surprises.
For example, a beginner discovery dive typically ranges from $95 to $110, including basic theory, shallow-water practice, and a guided dive on nearby reefs such as Dominicus Reef or Viva Shallow.
A PADI Open Water Diver course typically costs around $500 to $550. It usually lasts three to four days and includes study materials, pool sessions, four open water dives, and PADI certification. Classes are generally offered in multiple languages, depending on the school, and dives depart directly from the main piers.
An Advanced Open Water course generally runs between $480 and $520 and takes two to three days to complete. It includes five specialty dives, such as deep, night, navigation, buoyancy, and wreck diving, and comes with an internationally recognized certification.
A combined diving and snorkeling trip typically costs $130 to $150 per person. It includes either two dives or a dive and a snorkeling session, plus a beachside lunch on Saona Island, drinks, and boat transport. It’s perfect for travelers who want to enjoy diving while still experiencing a classic Caribbean beach day.
Overall, diving in Bayahibe offers great value for money, with options for all skill levels. The stable weather and warm waters make it possible to dive year round, making this destination an accessible paradise to experience the Caribbean from a whole new perspective.
Frequently asked questions about diving in Bayahibe
Yes. Thanks to its sheltered location on the south coast, Bayahibe offers year-round diving. Conditions are generally stable, visibility often exceeds 25 meters, and water temperatures range from 27 to 29 °C, so a thick wetsuit is not necessary.
The best time to dive is from November to May, when the sea is especially calm and visibility is at its best. From June to October, conditions are still good, but occasional tropical rains or short swells from southern winds can occur.
No. Anyone can try diving with a beginner discovery dive, guided by a certified instructor. No prior experience or knowledge is needed, and the dives take place in shallow, safe areas.
The most popular spots include the St. George and Atlantic Princess wrecks, El Peñón I and II reefs, Dominicus Reef, and the walls of Catalina Island. All are less than a 30-minute boat ride from Bayahibe’s harbor.
Local dives usually last three to four hours and include two dives. Trips to Catalina Island or Saona Island take most of the day and include transportation, meals, and time to relax on the beach.
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