Bayahibe is the iconic Caribbean paradise. Here the picture postcard comes to life, with white sands, clear sea a palm-tree fringed beach and colourful wooden boats bobbing up and down in the water.
Founded in 1874 by a family from Puerto Rico, this tiny fishing village has evolved into a tourist attraction that offers some of the best scuba diving in the Dominican Republic.
The water in Bayahibe is calm and clear. A variety of diving excursions are available, ranging from cave dives and shark dives to an exploration of the coral reef ecosystem located off Catalina Island. There are a handful of dive schools in the village, and most cater to all skill and experience levels.
A must-see attraction is the 1724 Guadalupe Underwater Archeological Preserve, the first underwater shipwreck museum in the world. The museum, created by students and staff from the Indiana University, centers around the wreck of a Spanish galleon that sank during a hurricane in Samana Bay in 1724.
The site is approximately 15 feet (4.5 metres) underwater, so it’s easily explore by snorkelers as well as divers. Among other things at the wreck, you will see cannons, cannonballs, ballast stones and an anchor. These artifacts were placed here when the museum was created.
Enjoy the laid-back pace of life when you’re back on dry land. Pick a spot in the harbour and watch the fishermen working on their traditional fishing boats. Dine in the open-air seafood restaurant, and do what most people do when they come here: relax on the beach.
Located on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe is roughly 25 minutes’ drive from La Romana International Airport.
The weather is reliably warm and sunny, with a year-round tropical climate. Summers are wet and the hurricane season lasts from June to October. Winter is the best time to visit, since the weather is cooler and drier then.
