Guaraguao I - Bayahibe & La Romana

Lighthouse Wall, out on Grand Cayman's East End, feels a little different from some of the busier spots. We love that it’s usually quieter, especially if you get there before the crowds. The wall itself starts around 15 metres, dropping into a deep blue, but it’s the jagged points and sandy channels before the main event that we always spend time exploring. Keep an eye out for Hogfish rooting around in the sand, and we’ve spotted Midnight Parrotfish here more than a few times, their scales shimmering as they cruise past. The unique razor-thin formations give the wall a distinct texture. You can see big plate-like deep-water star corals growing horizontally, and if you look closely, especially near the sponges, there are plenty of small invertebrates – we’ve seen Blackberry Drupes and Pearl Blennies clinging on. There's an old, encrusted rope hanging over the drop-off, which makes a good marker and adds to the site's character. Visibility usually sits around 24 metres, giving you a good view of the wall's contours and the abundant French Grunts and Grey Snappers schooling further out. It’s a solid wall dive for anyone looking for something a bit less manicured, with a real sense of exploration.

Location: Bayahibe & La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.332100, -68.818000
Type: wall

Marine Protected Area: Punta Bayahibe

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 Guaraguao I

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 Guaraguao I

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