Santa Catalina Wall
Boat dive · Drop-off wall
One of the Dominican Republic's most spectacular drop-offs, off Catalina Island — a reef wall draped in sea fans and black coral, with turtles cruising the edge.
About this site
Catalina Island, a short boat ride from Bayahibe, is a protected reserve of sand dunes, mangroves and reefs — and it features one of the Dominican Republic's most spectacular drop-offs, the Santa Catalina Wall. The wall falls away into deep blue water, covered in gorgonian sea fans and black coral, with sea turtles gliding along the edge and reef sharks occasionally passing in the blue. A memorable dive for intermediate divers and above.
Marine life spotted here
- Gorgonian sea fans & black coral
- Sea turtles
- Reef sharks (occasional)
- Reef fish
More in Bayahibe & Catalina Island
St. George Wreck
A 1962 cargo ship sunk in 1999 and now one of the favourite dives in the whole Dominican Republic — an upright artificial reef in 30 to 40 metres, home to big schools of barracuda.
Atlantic Princess
A small wreck resting upright on a pale sandy bottom in shallow, calm water — an easy, atmospheric wreck dive that doubles as a great snorkel site.
Aquarium Reef
Catalina's shallow coral garden, named for the clouds of tropical fish that fill the water. Easy, bright and perfect for every level — and for snorkellers too.