Bavaro - Punta Cana
Crystal Rock, for us, is one of Komodo’s true main events. It’s a submerged pinnacle in the north, and when the current is running, it’s just absolutely electric. We’re talking giant trevallies hunting fusiliers so thick they turn the water silver, Napoleon wrasse cruising by, and often a few grey reef sharks patrolling the deeper edges. If you can handle a bit of a ride, it’s pure adrenaline. The trick with Crystal Rock is timing. Slack tide can be a bit quiet, but as the current picks up, the reef really comes alive. We’d always suggest dropping in on the protected side first, just to get a feel for it, then drifting around the pinnacle as the action builds. Keep an eye out for the white tip sharks resting under ledges and the huge schools of batfish that seem to hang suspended in the flow. It’s a site for experienced divers who appreciate big fish action and don't mind a little exertion.
- Location
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 18.722800, -68.406600
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Costa Azul
Best Time to Dive in Punta Cana
The warmest water temperatures in Punta Cana occur in January, averaging 26.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.7°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.7°C (air: 24.9°C)
- February: 26.7°C (air: 24.7°C)
- March: 26.7°C (air: 24.9°C)
- April: 26.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
- May: 26.7°C (air: 26.6°C)
- June: 26.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
- July: 26.7°C (air: 27.4°C)
- August: 26.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
- September: 26.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
- October: 26.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
- November: 26.7°C (air: 26.1°C)
- December: 26.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Punta Cana
- Acuario - 5-15m (reef)
- Astron
- ASTRON - 2m (wreck)
- Astron Wreck - 10-18m (wreck)
- Atlantic Princess (Wreck) - 13m (wreck)
- Atlantic Princess Wreck (Bayahibe) - 13m (wreck)
- Bavaro (reef)
- Bayahibe - 14m
- Channel - 10-25m (drift)
- CHANTAL - 1m (wreck)
- Chorizo (reef)
- Coco Reef - 13m (reef)
- Coral Garden - 5-20m (reef)
- Cuevitas - 10-25m (cave)
- El Peñon - Dominican Republic (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Bavaro
Marine Life in Punta Cana
Home to 253 recorded species including 207 reef fish, 28 hard corals, 5 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 whales & dolphins.
Notable Species
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Bicolor Damselfish (Stegastes partitus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
- Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Fairy Basslet (Gramma loreto) - Reef Fish
- Shark nose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) - Reef Fish
- Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Bavaro
Based on average water temperature of 26.7°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