Bajo Largo - Bayahibe & La Romana

Turtle Reef. The name gives it away, doesn't it? It’s exactly what it says on the tin. We’ve had dives here where we've counted upwards of 15 green sea turtles, just cruising past, sometimes stopping for a scratch on a coral bommie. It’s not just a turtle spot, though. We love the sheer expanse of the staghorn coral here. It forms these incredible, intricate cities, stretching out in every direction, punctuated by the occasional massive stony coral head. Diving Turtle Reef often feels like navigating a maze built by nature. Look closely amongst those branching corals and you'll spot countless tiny blennies, particularly the striking crested sabretooth and banded blennies darting in and out. Keep an eye out for the dusky filefish, too; they're masters of camouflage amongst the coral. Our favourite tip for Turtle Reef is to take it slow. Find a comfortable spot, settle in, and let the reef come alive around you. The currents here are generally pretty mild, making it a relaxed dive suitable for newer divers looking for that classic GBR experience.

Location: Bayahibe & La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates: 19.066668, -69.266670
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Manglar de la Jina

Best Time to Dive in Bayahibe & La Romana

The warmest water temperatures in Bayahibe & La Romana occur in January, averaging 26.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 26.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
February: 26.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
March: 26.9°C (air: 25.0°C)
April: 26.9°C (air: 25.6°C)
May: 26.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
June: 26.9°C (air: 27.6°C)
July: 26.9°C (air: 27.8°C)
August: 26.9°C (air: 27.9°C)
September: 26.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
October: 26.9°C (air: 27.1°C)
November: 26.9°C (air: 25.9°C)
December: 26.9°C (air: 25.0°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Bajo Largo

CARIBBEAN DIVERS - ASOBUCA - SSI, CMAS, SEI
Profundo Blue
Scuba Libre
Seaklub Samana - ["PADI"]
Shark Juan Dolio Diver
The Dive Academy - NAUI

Marine Life in Bayahibe & La Romana

Home to 181 recorded species including 157 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) - Seagrass & Algae
manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) - Seagrass & Algae
Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) - Reef Fish
Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
Blue Parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Bajo Largo

Based on average water temperature of 26.9°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories