6 of the Best Snorkelling Spots in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. But did you know it also has some great spots for snorkelling? While it may not be as famous as other snorkelling destinations in the Caribbean, the underwater world surrounding the Dominican Republic is definitely worth exploring!

Ready to learn more? Grab your snorkelling equipment and dive in — we've rounded up six places for you to swim and take in the sights.

Despite being home to the longest coral reef in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is not considered to be a snorkelling destination. Thanks to heavy boat traffic, it’s neither safe nor ideal for viewing marine life. That said there are many snorkelling excursions that leave from Punta Cana. So, if you’re staying in this resort town, there are still plenty of opportunities to get your toes (and your flippers!) wet.

Best snorkeling spots on the Caribbean coast

• Isla Catalina
• Isla Saona
• Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta

Best snorkeling spots on the Atlantic coast

• Cayo Levantado
• Cayo Arena 
• Silver Bank

Sheltered from trade winds, the south coast of the Dominican Republic offers some of the best snorkelling conditions. Plus, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea provide an optimal habitat for a diverse range of marine animals.

How to get here: Take a boat trip from La Romana, Bayahibe or Punta Cana.

There are a few reasons why Catalina Island is a popular snorkelling destination. For one, it’s suitable for travellers of all ages and skill levels. For another, it’s home to a vibrant coral reef area known as “The Wall”. Whether you choose to view the reef from the shallows or dive down deep, you’re guaranteed to see a variety of tropical fish and other marine life. Butterflyfish, scorpionfish, moray eels, nurse sharks, purple sea fans and vase sponges can all be spotted here.
 
There’s also a shipwreck to explore! The remains of the Quedagh Merchant ship, abandoned by pirate William Kidd in 1699, are located just off the coast of Catalina Island. Considered to be a “living museum”, you can see anchors, cannons and natural reefs. This site is probably better suited to scuba diving, but it’s not impossible for snorkellers to get in on the action — the wreck is only eight feet under water. 

If not all your travel companions are fans of snorkelling, no problem! In addition to The Wall reef, Catalina Island also boasts some wonderful beaches. 

How to get here: Join an excursion from Bayahibe or Punta Cana.

Unfortunately, the reefs around Saona Island have suffered from bleaching (a reaction caused by changes in temperature, light or nutrients), meaning much of the coral in the area has turned white. But just because you won’t find a huge number of brightly coloured invertebrates here, doesn’t mean the area isn’t worth exploring. In fact, Saona Island is still thought to offer some of the best snorkelling in the Dominican Republic.

From striped angelfish and spiny lionfish to spiked porcupinefish, there’s a lot of unique underwater life to view. The biggest draw is the large population of starfish that surround Saona Island. Whether you’re on the deck of a boat or snorkelling just below the surface of the turquoise waters, you’ll be able to spot these incredible sea creatures (it’s nicknamed “Starfish Island”, after all!). 

Some tour companies will encourage you to interact with the species, but we recommend you politely decline. Holding starfish above the water can damage their tissues — not to mention, the sunscreen on your hands may be toxic to marine life. It’s best to admire them in their natural habitat. Look, but don’t touch!

How to get here: Drive from Santo Domingo (approximately 60 minutes). 

La Caleta Underwater National Park is a popular diving site near Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. While many other snorkelling spots on this list can only be accessed after taking a short boat ride, this ecotourism park is right off the coast. Don’t let this proximity to the shore fool you — there’s plenty to discover, including underwater caves and terraces. There are also several shipwrecks in the area:

• The Hickory
• El Limón
• Capitán Alsina
• Don Quico

The Hickory is especially interesting, as the ship was submerged by a group of researchers in 1984 to help with the proliferation of marine life. Artificial reefs like this help the local sea turtle, octopus, stingray and fish populations thrive.

Both beginner and advanced snorkellers can appreciate this spot, which stretches across 10 square kilometres and ranges from six to 180 metres in depth. 

If you’re visiting the north coast, you should set your snorkelling sights on the Samaná Peninsula. Some of the best coral reefs in the Dominican Republic can be found around this beautiful stretch of land.

How to get here: Take a water taxi from Santa Bárbara de Samaná or a boat tour from Punta Cana.

Cayo Levantado is not only one of the best snorkelling sites in the Dominican Republic — it’s also one of the top places to relax and soak up the sun. In fact, it’s idyllic beaches are commercial-worthy. This small cay off the south coast of the Samana Peninsula was featured in a Bacardí Rum ad in the 1970s, and has been called “Bacardí Island” ever since. 

While much of the island is owned by a Bahia Principe resort, there are two public beaches where anyone can go snorkelling. Both have shallow and calm waters, and are therefore perfect for beginners. These conditions also contribute to good underwater visibility, meaning you’ll have great chances of seeing blue tangs (hello, Dory!), peacock flounders, cushion sea stars and other tropical fish.

In short, Cayo Levantado has got it all: small coral patches, shallow reefs, diverse sea life and gorgeous beaches. You may go here for the snorkelling, but you’ll get to experience so much more.

How to get here: Catch a boat ride from the small fishing town of Punta Rucia or book a snorkel tour from Puerto Plata.

It’s easy to see why Cayo Arena is nicknamed “Paradise Island”. This tiny sandbar off the north coast of the Dominican Republic looks like a private beach paradise. All day long, boats from Punta Rucia take travellers to this small but amazing spot, where they can swim and snorkel to their hearts’ content.  

Starting at a depth of five metres, the surrounding coral reefs are home to damselfish (such as the sergeant major), yellowtail snapper and more. Make sure to throw a GoPro or other waterproof camera in with your snorkel gear! Whether you’re exploring the underwater world or taking a break on the sandy shores, you’ll want to take more than a mental picture.

While most of the snorkelling sites around Paradise Island are shallow, more advanced divers can head over to the area known as Melissa Insight. This steep wall reef section is approximately 30 metres deep.

How to get here: Join a week-long whale-watching expedition from Puerto Plata.

Humpback whales may not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think about snorkelling in the Dominican Republic — but they’re exactly what you can expect to see at Silver Bank. This protected marine mammal sanctuary in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 120 kilometres off the coast of Puerto Plata) is a historic breeding and calving area for the species. In fact, it’s visited by 5,000–7,000 humpback whales every year.

That said, you’ll have to do some careful planning in order to catch sight of them. The whales only migrate through Silver Bank between December and April, and many expeditions (which typically last a week) are reserved well in advance. It’s truly a sight to see, as the whales tend to exhibit a lot of surface activity, including breaching and fin slapping. 

Not to mention, it's one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. If that doesn't make this a once-in-lifetime experience, we don't know what will. 

Now that you know where you can experience the best snorkelling in the Dominican Republic, it’s time to start dreaming of your next trip! Learn more about this amazing destination or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when deals drop. Your centre for travel is like a well-packed suitcase — we've got everything you need in one place, from flights to insurance (and everything in between).