In addition to discovering exceptional beaches along the DR’s thousand-mile long coastline, you’ll soon realize that the DR’s underwater world—a handful of which is protected as a national park—is equally fascinating, revealing features such as coral reefs, caves, remains of galleons, shipwrecks, and a world of multicolored marine life. Explore 40-meter (131-foot) wall dives off the islands of Catalina and Saona, spot turtles and eagle rays off the remote Playa Frontón in Las Galeras, or snorkel amid colorful fish at Cayo Arena. Whether south, east, or north, PADI-certified dive and snorkel shops know the best underwater adventures.

While you can dip in our waters year round, the best time to dive is between June and September, when the waters are calm and offer good visibility—optimal conditions for immersion. Year-round sea temperatures range between 24°C to 29°C (75°F and 84°F), allowing diving even in the middle of the North American “winter,” when temperatures hover around 25°C (77°F).