Diving in DR
Most people hear of the humpack whales of the Silver Bank off Dominica Republic
as their first introduction to the undersea worlds off this mountainous country that dominates the eastern half of Hispaniola. The whales come every year from December to April and fill the water with their intriguing and haunting whalesong. But keep heading toward land. The DR, as it’s called has several regions for diving.
Sosua, which is on the north coast, has the most dive shops and a large number of dive sites for divers of all levels. Wreck aficionados will love the 148-foot, intact and upright cargo ship, the Zingara, which is in 90-120-feet of water. A great place for caverns and swim-throughs is the Pyramid, which is nicely covered in hard and soft corals. The Dominican Republic is noted for it large schools of soldierfish and other schooling fish, especially on the wrecks and other artificial reefs. Nurse sharks and sea turtles frequent the area, too.
La Semana off the eastern cape area is well known for its shipwrecks. In Semana Bay, you’ll find wrecks from the 16th to 18th Century all the way through time to the wreck of the modern Cayo Levantado Ferry. It’s not uncommon to see cannons from Galleons, anchors and reef in the same day. Viz can vary quite a bit here with the rains, but wreck divers will not mind at all.
Another wrecky place off Juan Dolio on the southern coast, you’ll find the piles of wrecks, the most written about are the Hickory and Limon, which are always covered in marinelife, and frequently dived in the same day.
The shallow waters off Punta Cana, also have plenty of artificial reef action, with the Monica topping the list, but the caverns and swim-throughs at La Cueva are also must dives. Winds make this a season place and it’s best to avoid December to January.
Visibility off the DR can vary from 40 to 150-feet, sometime one day to the next, with the best visibility during the dry season from December to April. Check current weather here.
Passport and/or Visa Requirements
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: All U.S. citizens are required to present a passport, and do not need to obtain a visa. EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All persons leaving the DR, pay a Government Departure Tax of approximately USD $20.
Immunizations
Vaccinations are not required for entry into the DR. Check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at
cdc.gov.
Culture and Customs
This was Spain’s first officially inhabited island, and the cultural experience is very laid back, which is why so many people come here to enjoy these relaxed attitudes and soak up the beach life. You’ll also find lots of all-inclusive resorts that cater to Europeans that come for several weeks at a time. You’ll find colonial architecture well preserved in most of the town, especially the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santo Domingo. Music, and especially the merengue, get people moving here more than just about anything else. You’ll find dance halls scattered throughout the country where entire villages show up on a Friday night to dance. The unique sounds of Bachata come from the Dominican Republic. The island also has nine distinct ecological zones, so there’s plenty of adventure from mountain climbing to birdwatching to waterfalls.
Electricity, Telephone and Internet Access
Electricity in DR is 110 volts, 60 cycle, so no adapter will be needed for US visitors. The country code for DR is 809 and direct dial service is fast and clear. Check with your service provider for long distance/roaming information and costs. Internet service is available in most towns, and large cities, as well as internet cafes, but remote villages only have sporadic service.
Water Quality
Bottled water is recommended.
Language & Currency
The official language is Spanish, though English is widely spoken. The local currency is the US Dollar.
History, Art, and Culture
Christopher Columbus established the first permanent European Settlement in the Americas in the town of Santo Domingo, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dominican Republic has grown into the Caribbean’s largest tourist destination. The Spanish ruled for three hundred years after arriving in 1492. Before that the Taino Indians had thrived on the island beginning about 650 AD. They were virtually eliminated by smallpox after the Spanish arrived. The US took control in 1916, and despite widespread guerilla warfare, the US improved the roads, By about 1978 tourism thrived and the economy has generally improved. The blue colored larimar stones and amber jewelry are highly regarded worldwide. You’ll also find wood carving, weaving and other crafts throughout the DR. Read about DR historical sites here.
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