Peñon: Diver Level: Any. Depth 12-14 meters/40-45 feet. Safely inside the National Park of the East, Penon is a must do when visiting the Bayahibe area.

Being in the national park means that this site is protected from fishing and thus the life at this site is abundant. The maximum depth here is 14 meters with the reef top starting at 11 meters. A small wall leads the way away from the buoy, turning back over the reef top, using any light current to return to the boat. The reef wall is a magical place to find fish large and small. Swimming just over top are parrot fish and wrasse. Bobbing in and out of the holes you can find eels, drumfish, and squirrelfish. Taking shelter in the soft corals you can find trumpet fish and baby filefish. Manatees and southern stingrays love the sand just to the side of the reef wall. One of the best sites to see big things, Peñon is one to look outward to the open water. Visibility usually 20 meters or more, looking out can boast glimpses of passing turtles and sharks. Eagle rays often come and visit the reef here as well. Sandy bottom stretches outward from the reef’s wall edge make it a perfect location for large stingrays to bury themselves in the sand. One of the best dive site in the Dominican Republic. Peñon is a dive site for divers of all abilities. Minimal current, great visibility, and amazing underwater life make this site you have to take your camera to. The shallow reef top makes Peñon a perfect place for snorkelers to watch the divers below and explore the reef.

Tortuga. Diver Level: Any. Depth 12-14 meters/40-45 feet. A known hot spot for turtles, Tortuga (meaning Turtle) is a must dive site location within the National Park of the East.

A half an hour boat journey from Coral Point takes you to the site that offers the best chance of seeing the larger life in the area. The maximum depth at this site is 12 meters, with the visibility often 20 meters or more. Due to its location inside the national park, fishing at this site is forbidden. The life underwater at Tortuga is healthy and lively. Without much current, this site is perfect for a nice leisurely dive where you can truly enjoy all the life that surrounds. As the name suggests, turtles can be found at this dive site. While looking for turtles and nudibranchs, don’t forget to look up as eagle rays have been known to swoop through. Large lionfish and green morays are also found at Tortuga tucked in and around the rocks and corals. The easy diving conditions and great reef at Tortuga invites divers of all abilities and levels. Snorkelers can even enjoy the reef from above with the visibility as good as it is here!