Where to stay for Scuba Diving

[billywinter]

Me and 3 dive buddies are planning annual spring dive trip and our considering
the DR for the first time. I heard the south east coast has some first rate diving. Where would be a good town to base ourselves? We will rent a car and would prefer non AI. I have heard Catalina island is good with access from La Romana and also an underwater park near Boca Chica and also some interesting fresh water cave diving from don juolio (cant remember exact name). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Matilda]

Juan Dolio would be a good place to base yourselves. Excellent cave diving around 1/2 anhour away. Good wreck diving in a protected marine park about 20 mins away plus Catalina island around 45mins away. In addition there is a good deep (30m) wreck off Juan Dolio itself and some Ok reef diving.

You could stay in an Aparthotel - Albatros or Playa Real where they have 2 bed apartments.

You could either go with a local dive school or contact Vic - an English Staff Instructor who offers personalised service around your schedule - and is also usually cheaper. You can contact him at H2O Diving - Dominican Republic scuba diving and PADI training

That site also has all of the accommodation details and options.

Matilda

 

[Kaki]

Might you want to do half a week in one location and half in another? Bayahibe might be worth looking into for the plethora of divesites locally and the quaint atmosphere. I recommend Villa Iguana as a non-AI accommodation (I have an album of pics at Villa Iguana and Bayahibe, Dominican Republic January, 2008 pictures, photos, and videos, from caribbean on webshots from a 10 day stay this year) and you can check out some dive maps at Scuba Caribe dive sites pictures from caribbean photos on webshots and Snorkel and dive sites pictures from caribbean photos on webshots and Bayahibe dive sites pictures from diving & snorkeling photos on webshots and Parque Nacional del Este map pictures from diving & snorkeling photos on webshots. From Bayahibe you have easy access to wrecks, as well as Shark Point and CatalinITa Island.

The owners of Villa Iguana are deep into diving themselves and are great resources!

Kaki