Punta Cana, a village near Playa Blanca, is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. “The Pearl of the Southern Caribbean”, as it is affectionately known, is renowned for its clear and calm water and white sand beaches. Punta Cana is also the home of dive tours around the world and has been featured on TV’s worldwide. In this article, we’ll explore what it takes to enjoy scuba diving in Punta Cana.
Most people who decide to dive Punta Cana will first head to the city’s famous dive shops. In addition to providing competent service, these shops also sell T-shirts, accessories and memorabilia associated with scuba diving in Punta Cana. “Dive-nown” is their slogan, and their shop is open all day. If you’ve never seen divers wearing “Dive-nown” shirts, make sure you check them out! These shirts are really popular with divers and are available in a number of styles, including graphics and custom printed designs.
Next on your scuba diving in punta cana itinerary will be the various dive sites. The two most popular diving sites in Punta Cana are the Saona Island and the Papagayo Island. Both of these locations are well known throughout the world for their wonderful scuba diving experiences, and many tourists also choose to visit the small, secluded, diving hideaway at Saona Island, which is only reached by boat. There, divers can swim around and beneath many beautiful coral formations, including the “Great Blue Hole”. Saona Island also has a very unique attraction – the remains of a World War II-era U-boat shelter, which is now a popular tourist site.
The water temperature at both sites is perfect for scuba diving in Punta Cana. However, the waters at Papagayo are slightly more alkaline, which creates a slightly different environment. Diving sites at Papagayo are usually longer and deeper than those at Saona, but both offer incredible opportunities for divers to see the wonders below, including an incredible reef system, the Great Blue Hole, lush tropical forests, and numerous dive wrecks. Diving expeditions can take place year round, as the waters at both locations remain extremely warm, even during the cold months of the year.
Scuba diving around bayahibe reefs off of Punta Cana is a great way to enjoy the peace and calm of the surrounding area, which is also perfect for snorkelers and other underwater enthusiasts. One such dive site is located around Bolsa de San Diego, which is often nicknamed “The Little Bay.” This underwater park offers scuba diving enthusiasts the chance to view a variety of marine animals such as barracuda, wahoo, manta rays, sharks, turtles, and even a rare white-tipped sea snail.
Another option for Punta Cana scuba diving excursions is the Rainbow Islands Marine Park, which are not only home to a wealth of wonderful marine life, but it also offers great scuba diving adventures. In the northeast area of the island, you will find numerous islands and peninsulas that have been carved into by nature. These natural peninsulas offer perfect locations for snorkelers and other enthusiasts to explore.
If you are looking for some more excitement when visiting the region, then you should take a look at the numerous wreck sites off the coast of Punta Cana, which offer the opportunity to visit the sunken ship wrecks and explore their treasures below. One of the most popular wreck diving tours in the area is the wreck dive, which allows you to immerse yourself in all aspects of underwater science. Unlike other tours, this one takes you deep down from the surface, which means that you can see the creatures swimming below the coral gardens and learn about the history of the reefs. You can also experience a hands-on excursion to the submerged shipwrecks themselves, where you will be able to witness firsthand the wonders of nature and witness for yourself the beauty of the underwater ecosystem. This is also the perfect opportunity to see stingrays, sharks, turtles, and other fascinating marine creatures. Most of the wreck dive sites are not only popular for their beautiful scenery and unique natural settings, but they are also the perfect hiding spots for more unusual species.
Apart from the underwater delights offered by Punta Cana’s wreck dive tours and trips, there are several other ways to enjoy your time out at sea while learning more about the beautiful underwater ecosystem in the region. One of the best ways to get to learn more about the ecosystem is through open water scuba diving in Punta cana. The waters are a perfect place to witness life at its most vibrant stage as coral reefs. These reef systems are home to a wide variety of tropical fish and sea life, including octopus, barracuda, Marlin, mola, skipjack tuna, rainbow runners, albatrosses, wahoo, great barracuda, blue runners, and other forms of marine life. There are a number of dive companies that offer open water scuba diving in Punta cana and a wide range of other adventures, including snorkelling, diving with a school of fish, and more.
