Isla Catalina, the best diving spot in the Dominican Republic

What can you do there? Take advantage of the island's heavenly beaches, protected by the coral reef. On the programme: swimming in crystal-clear waters, lazing on the fine white sand on deckchairs in the shade of palapas (free equipment), picnics and barbecues on the beach, snorkelling, massage, kayaking, banana boat, beach volleyball...

An exotic touch? The adorable little colourful houses (red, blue, yellow and green for the comandante), so Instagrammable! You can also take a stroll along a 500-metre-long ecological trail with several viewpoints, to discover the island's unspoilt flora and fauna. Rest assured, there are no dangerous or venomous animals, and the snakes you may come across are nothing more than harmless snakes.

Le Mur and L'Aquarium are two of the best dive sites in the Dominican Republic. Their names are no coincidence: Le Mur plunges 100 metres into the deepest part of the Caribbean Sea. L'Aquarium is home to numerous corals and a multitude of multicoloured fish, including lionfish, frogfish and seahorses.

⭐ 5* Casa De Campo Resort & Villas

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is the country's leading resort with four golf courses, a 23-metre long infinity pool, the famous Altos de Chavon, a replica of an Italian medieval village, thousands of hectares, a 90,000 m² marina, a cinema, a ranch, a spa, seven restaurants and as many bars, food trucks and other ice cream vendors... What interests us most here is its beach, ideally located just opposite the sumptuous Catalina Island. It's from here that you take the boat to get there - it couldn't be more convenient!

⛵ How do we get there?

Catalina Island is located 10 km off the coast of Bayahibe and 45 minutes by boat from the port of La Romana. It's a popular excursion for the cruise ships that call there. The most privileged are the guests of the Casa de Campo resort, just opposite. The boats leave directly from the hotel beach at 9am, 11am and 1pm, returning at 11.45am, 1.45pm and 3.45pm. The journey takes around 45 minutes.

👛 How much does it cost?

A minimum of 75 dollars a day from La Romana and Bayahibe.

🎒 What should you take with you?

Sunglasses, sun cream and a hat are compulsory! It would also be a shame to forget your swimming costume... Otherwise, don't forget your flip-flops so you don't burn your feet! You can then leave the sand behind and set off to explore the island on the footpaths that criss-cross its interior and periphery.

👉 What to bring back?

Many naive paintings are for sale on the beach. In the Dominican Republic, most houses, from the most bourgeois to the most modest, are decorated with these brightly coloured paintings. In galleries, but also in the streets, the lively and colourful naive paintings are everywhere.

Like Haitian paintings, naïve art depicts simple landscapes as well as scenes of everyday life, in the bright colours that tourists love. Many take their inspiration from the Taino Indians. An excellent souvenir to pack in your suitcase!