Nitrox Garden - Bayahibe & La Romana

Dumbéa's récif intérieur is one of our favourite spots in Prony Bay, especially when you catch that outgoing current just right. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs here, more a gentle, meandering drift along a channel that ranges from 6 to 14 metres. The sandy bottom on one side offers a lovely contrast to the coral wall on the other, creating these little pockets where all sorts of characters hang out. We've seen schools of twinstripe fusiliers so dense they seem to shimmer, and it’s a reliable spot for spotting those camouflage groupers blending perfectly with the reef. Look closer, and you’ll find High Hat Triplefins bobbing, and the vibrant flash of a Schlegel's Parrotfish. When the current really gets going, it turns into a lazy drift, perfect for just watching the reef life unfold around you. Keep an eye out for the Black-backed Wrasse, they're always busy. This site suits divers who appreciate a relaxed pace, where the joy is in observing the smaller details and the sheer abundance of reef fish. It’s a comfortable dive, ideal for photographers or those who just want to soak in the bustling lagoon ecosystem without any major challenges.

Location: Bayahibe & La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.415300, -69.603200
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: La Caleta

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 Nitrox Garden

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 Nitrox Garden

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