Scuba Diving Punta Cana: 4 Sites Not To Miss Out On

Scuba Diving Punta Cana is section of our Prime Dive Sites of the Earth

1 of the lesser-recognized Caribbean diving locations, scuba diving Punta Cana is nevertheless one of the most incredible destinations to dive in the Caribbean. Found on the Jap suggestion of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is blessed with idyllic weather and diving ailments.

You can take a look at Punta Cana 12 months-spherical, with wintertime temperatures ranging from 70F/2C to 80F/26C, whilst in the somewhat hotter summer time, temperatures vary from 79F/26C to 83F/28C. Items are similarly enjoyable in the water 12 months-spherical, with the drinking water temperatures ranging from a reduced of 70F/21C to a warm 79F/26C. Even though you can go to Punta Cana year-spherical, the ideal time to visit in terms of weather conditions and marine encounters is between December to March. Whilst the dry year runs from December to Might, you can continue to have a fantastic time browsing in April and May.

The waters off Punta Cana are teeming with rich marine existence. The stars of the show are humpback whales that migrate previous the island in December and March, and divers can expertise diving to the soundtrack of humpback whale tunes. Apart from that, you can regularly come upon barracudas, eagle rays, dolphins, and turtles. There are numerous species of sharks in the waters, the most typical becoming nurse sharks. The reefs all over Punta Cana are property to numerous reef fish, corals, and critters!

Place

The Astron Shipwreck

The Astron shipwreck is the finest wreck dive in the drinking water off Punta Cana and is typically just one of the highlights of any scuba diving Punta Cana excursion. This monster wreck actions an impressive 139 yards/127m long and is a pleasure to investigate. The previously Russian freighter was not sunk on purpose but owing to an accident. In 1978 the ship ran aground, and pursuing a storm, she broke up into two components. Interestingly, the ship’s bow lies over the drinking water, though the stern is underwater and a good dive.

The wreck is open up to all levels of divers, with the stern lying at a depth of 50ft/15m, even though most dives on the wreck are in the 40ft/12m vary. Around the decades, the wreck has become a minimal artificial reef, and you can regularly come upon snappers, rays, and barracudas hanging about the wreck. Even though the major curiosity of the dive is checking out the genuine wreck, just one of the most extraordinary facets is the enormous propeller, which makes for some excellent photograph opportunities.

Saona Island

Just one of the highlights of any scuba diving Punta Cana trip is the close by Saona Island. The island is reached by velocity boat and is dwelling to some superb diving with many dive websites. The island is open to all concentrations of divers. Rookies will commit a lot more time on sheltered western aspect die sites and supply far more benign diving conditions. Although intermediate and advanced divers can venture to the island’s east, the place the a lot more exposed location implies extra considerable currents and fish.

Lifestyle on Saona island is very assorted, such as some gorgeous geography. Some dives characteristic lots of drifts, while other folks element a broad assortment of tunnels and swim-throughs in a abundant and healthy reef. There are also mangrove beds and enormous seagrass beds to practical experience, together with all the wildlife that can be identified lurking in the grass. Specialized divers with cave instruction can also explore some freshwater caves and penetrate some of the range of wrecks in the waters of Saona island.

The Enriquillo RM-22

Formerly the USS Stallion, the Enriquillo RM-22 Navy tug was gifted to the Dominican Republic after a long and illustrious vocation in the US Navy. Exploring the Enriquillo is normally the highlight of lots of scuba diving Punta Cana outings. The 143ft/44m tug was delivered to the Dominican navy in 1980 and served 26 years in advance of getting sunk off the coastline of Playa Blanca to act as an synthetic reef. In Dominican assistance, the ship is named after a well-known Taino cacique who, in the 16th century, rebelled towards the Spanish occupation.

The wreck likes in 60ft/18m of drinking water having said that, it is only proposed for experienced divers considering that the spot has solid currents that would be challenging to newbie divers. Diving the wreck, there is a good deal to see. You can generally come across 3 species of turtles as they take a look at the area to breed, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Environmentally friendly turtles. Also, divers can come upon both Atlantic and Caribbean species, like yellowtail snappers and Atlantic horse mackerel.

Scuba Diving Punta Cana Artwork: The Underwater Museum

You can also discover some art on your upcoming scuba diving Punta Cana excursion by having a dip or two at the  Igneri Caribe Taino Underwater Museum. The website is found in the waters amongst Playa Serena and Playa Balance. The dive web page is extremely shallow, ranging in depth from 10ft/3m to 23ft/7m, producing it suitable for all concentrations of divers, which includes newbies, and a fantastic put for a lazy afternoon snorkeling.

The museum functions 22 statues/ sculptures that are the function of award-successful Dominican artist Thimo Pimentel. The sculptures rejoice the Taino heritage and depict a variety of Taino figures. the sculptors serve a dual reason, to rejoice Taino heritage, and give sanctuary for neighborhood fish populations. A number of coral patches have been planted amongst the statues to produce a habitat for the fish to increase curiosity to the web page. Presenting one thing unique, the museum supplies divers a thing various on their up coming scuba diving Punta Cana vacation.

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Our Top rated Dive Internet sites of the Globe guide is introduced to you by Suunto. We recommend that you use a Suunto Dive Laptop or computer when scuba diving or freediving at one particular of these dive sites. Suunto is the world’s primary dive computer system designer and company providing diving instruments for recreational, complex, and freediving.  You can discover out more at Suunto.com.