Paradise - Dominican Republic - Punta Cana
We love a good drift, and Sandy Island delivers a proper relaxed ride. You start north of Sandy Island and just let the current take you west, toward Mabouya. It’s mostly a sloping reef, dropping gently to about 17 metres, with stretches of coral mixed with open sand and patches of manatee grass. Visibility usually hangs around 18 metres here, a comfortable blue. What makes this spot special for us are the sheer numbers of blue creole wrasse and brown chromis. They’re everywhere, creating these shimmering walls of fish. Keep an eye peeled for nurse sharks tucked away under ledges, and we’ve often spotted eagle rays cruising by in the blue, sometimes even a stingray resting on the sand. The currents are generally mild, making it a great dive for anyone looking to just float along and soak it all in. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light on the sloping reef really pops.
- Location
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 18.674700, -68.392300
- Type
- drift
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)
- 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)
Nearest Dive Centres to Paradise - Dominican Republic
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 Paradise - Dominican Republic
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