La Romana dive sites

Catalina Island is reached by boat from La Romana or Bayahibe on the Dominican Republic's southeastern coast. Dive operators from both towns run regular day trips to the island, with the boat ride taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes depending on departure point. Most trips include two tank dives on the wall, surface interval on the island's beach, and lunch. La Romana is approximately 90 minutes by road from Punta Cana and two hours from Santo Domingo, making it accessible from multiple tourist areas.

The wall at Catalina Island is a near-vertical coral cliff that drops from a shallow reef top at around 8 to 10 metres down into extremely deep water. The wall face is covered in a spectacular display of Caribbean sponges including barrel sponges large enough to sit in, purple tube sponges, yellow rope sponges, and encrusting varieties in every colour. Hard corals, sea whips, and gorgonian fans add to the visual complexity. Most recreational diving takes place between 15 and 35 metres along the wall face, where the concentration of marine life is highest.

Hawksbill turtles are the signature species, frequently seen feeding on sponges along the wall face. Caribbean reef sharks patrol the deeper sections and are regularly spotted at 25 to 35 metres. Nurse sharks rest on ledges and in small caves along the wall. The reef top hosts queen angelfish, French angelfish, and schools of yellowtail snapper. Green moray eels occupy crevices throughout the wall, and spotted drums are found in their characteristic hiding spots under ledges. Eagle rays occasionally pass along the wall edge.