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Full-Day Catalina Island Scuba Diving Tour from La Romana

Name: Full-Day Catalina Island Scuba Diving Tour from La Romana
Brand: Passion Paradise Adventures
SKU: 18359P6
Price: 130.50 USD
Rating: 3.5 (19 reviews)

Dominican Republic

Special Offer

From $130.50

$145.00 Save $14.50

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

9 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Catalina Island is one of the most popular spots for scuba diving in the Dominican Republic and this full-day tour from La Romana is ideal for certified divers. Set sail aboard a catamaran, enjoy two thrilling scuba dives at ‘The Wall’ and ‘The Aquarium’; then swim and snorkel on one of the island’s private beaches and tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Full-day Catalina Island scuba diving experience from La Romana
Cruise around Catalina Island on a catamaran
Enjoy two thrilling scuba dives led by a PADI-certified instructor
Visit two popular dive sites – The Wall and The Aquarium
Tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch and enjoy unlimited drinks
Swim, snorkel, and sunbathe at a private beach
Tour suitable for participants with dive certification only
Great-value tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, and all activities

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Moto Catamaran boat ride
Full diving equipment, including 2 tanks and weight belts
Access to beach on Catalina Island
Professional PADI dive masters
Use of snorkeling equipment
Dominican BBQ lunch
Unlimited drinks (alcoholic drinks served on beach and return boat trip | non-alcoholic drinks served through the day)
Beach lounger

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Speciality beers (available to purchase)
Snacks (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We offer pick-up services from all locations in Punta Cana, Bavaro, Ulverto Alto, Cap Cana, La Romana, Casa de Campo, Boco Chica, and Juan Dolio. All you have to do is provide us with your hotel name and room number.

What To Expect

Your scuba diving adventure begins with morning pickup from your La Romana hotel. Accompanied by a team of PADI-certified dive masters, set sail aboard a fully equipped catamaran, enjoying spectacular views across the Caribbean.

The first stop of the day is ‘The Wall’, a popular dive site off the east coast of Catalina Island, with depths from ranging from 5 meters (16 feet) to 40+ meters (131+ feet). After listening to the safety briefing and getting suited up in your dive gear (all equipment is provided), enjoy just under an hour to explore the underwater wonders. Glide past dramatic vase sponges and colorful sea fan coral, and look out for exotic marine life including octopus, porcupine fish, moray eel, scorpion fish, southern stingray, blue parrotfish, lionfish, and sea horse.

Continue to the second dive site, 'The Aquarium', where you’ll have just under an hour to explore, with depths from 8 meters (26 feet) to 12+ meters (39+ feet). As you probably guessed from the name, the ‘Aquarium’ is renowned for its abundance of tropical fish and marine life, and you might spot tube worm, spiny lobster, sand star, frogfish, trumpet fish, barracuda, mackerel, and tiger moray eel.

After working up an appetite, head to a private beach on Catalina Island, where you’ll be served a delicious BBQ lunch, including fresh lobster (VIP package only), pork and chicken, accompanied by pasta salads and fresh tropical fruits.

Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming and sunbathing on the beach, where you can make the most of the open bar or go snorkeling (equipment provided) around the coast.

As you set out on the return cruise, get in the party mood with on-board music, entertainment, and refreshments. Arrive back in La Romana, where a driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

Catalina Island

9 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Passion Paradise Adventures

9 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Minimum age is 13 years
Not wheelchair accessible
Minimum drinking age is 18 years
Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive

Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
Your pickup time will be confirmed after booking
Please note that there are no refunds for cancellations of less than 24 hours notice, or if you do not turn up at the pick-up point at the specified time
Can accommodate passengers with disabilities. Please contact local supplier to make all necessary arrangements.
It is recommended that you bring a bathing suit, sunblock, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, cash and a camera
Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Dianne_K

I never dove in DR and after reading some of the reviews I was pleasantly surprised. I was by myself.. Transportation to and from the hotel was great. The trip was organized, staff was great, dives were good, food was good. Met some great people, got some good pictures and overall had a wonderful day.

Reviews

3.5

19 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 19 reviews

Relaxing Dive Trip

Dianne_K, Feb 2024

Thanks for a great time...

Ruthie_M, Feb 2024

Thanks for a great time and Joel was kind, helpful and made my day ! The island and dives were both beautiful. See ya next time !

Great with some hiccups!

Emily_P, Jun 2022

My husband and I had a fantastic time on this trip. Couple hiccups - My husband is not an experienced diver (which was known to the guides). Our guide did not speak English so the guide was deflating his vest and essentially pushing him under water while he was explaining that he wasn't comfortable yet. My husband ultimately did not dive either dive and he's not one to quit out on stuff like that. So we wasted money where I felt like had we had a guide that we could have communicated with, he would have been able to taken some extra time to get him comfortable. The equipment wasn't great. My respirator broke in my mouth mid-dive so i had to bite down extra hard on one spot or hold it in place to give my jaw a break. I saw rips and tears in numerous wet suits and had a couple people point out broken fins. Ultimately the tanks and vests seemed to be in good condition because no one died ;) but it was a little disconcerting. Our tour had a lot of non-divers that were just snorkeling. We did two dives, but they were only able to snorkel at one site. So my husband missed the first site because of our diving issue and then couldn't even snorkel at the second so he missed all of it. All that being said, I would recommend for experienced divers. The guides were nice, Catalina Island was beautiful. There were free booze on the island and on the boat ride back.

Joel is a fantastic dive guide

Keith_S, May 2022

Joel was fantastic at showing us everything along the reef for both dives! He was friends with all the fish! We went through the dive plan for a dive at the Catalina wall and Aquarius and both were incredible spots.

Most chaotic diving experience

Clara_P, Jan 2022

The scuba sights were great- saw seahorses and lion fish. The overall experience was pretty bad. They never even checked our certifications. We were on a crowded boat with about 40 other snorkelers, they rushed us through the entire process of gearing up, barely explained our route plan, and pushed my friend off the boat after she had her gear on because she wasn’t moving fast enough. The guide didn’t take a safety stop on the first dive, making my friend feel ill. The beach at Catalina Island was also very crowded, and not very nice. They ran out of beer at the “open bar” and only had rum and coke or sprite. Definitely would recommend any other diving company as I can’t imagine a worse, more chaotic or potentially dangerous diving experience.

Well worth the trip

Paul_A, Nov 2021

Trip was awesome and well worth it. Was told to be ready by 7:15 and picked up by 7:30, so that’s good. Ride was great, they picked up a couple more people then we went to a meeting place and they placed us in a bus with those going to the same excursions, which was expected. Was supposed to start by 10:30 and we started by 11 so all good. Guides are very friendly. A lot of yelling going back and forth but that seems how they speak to one another. Divemaster was good but a little careless in the second dive as I ran out of air and hod to use my partners reserve to go up. Catalina beach was beautiful but with the two dives we maybe had 30 min to enjoy. Food was ok nothing special but all around very well worth it. I recommend.

Nice Trip

Anthony_R, Jul 2021

Great experience and no problems! The wall and Aquarium dive sites was amazing! Pickup and drop off from hotel was perfect.

No regrets

Bart_G, Jun 2021

I went to Isla Catalina with Passion Paradise in May 2021. The tour was okay and I had no complaints. The pickup driver arrived almost on time. During my second dive, I got to see three stingrays as well as some other unusual animals - thanks to the tour guide who spotted them. The lunch was fine - nothing special but I didn't get sick either.

Bad

Carlos_R, Jun 2021

Bad experience the company you guys booked me with does not work on the weekends and you booked me for the weekend. I need a full refund as promised by the company you guy made the reservation with thanks

Response from Host, Jun 2021

Dear Carlos, We are deeply sorry to hear of this. We have investigated into why Viator's has made an error on the website. On Behalf of Passion Paradise Adventures we have issued you a Full Refund and have ensured this doesn't pass again with any of our future clients. Many Thank Chantel

Scuba dive at Catalina Island

Davis_M, Feb 2020

I booked through trip advisor instead of our resort and after visiting with other guests I’m glad I did. We Stayed at the Casa de Campo and a bus from Passion Paradise Adventure arrived on time to pick me up. My drive to the boat was maybe 10 minutes. (Booking from Casa de Campo would have been about an our over to the dive shop, then an hour back to the boat.) The price at my resort was cheaper, but the taxi was not included and would have been another $45. So in the end I spent less and spent less time driving around. We were on a boat with snorkelers too but that was no problem. We had dedicated crew for our dive and for my group the dive instructor was Edwar. Super nice guy and he took very good care of us. Each Dive lasted about 45 minutes and the sea life and plants were very good. Saw my first Eagle Ray up close. The beer on the boat was cold, and included (nothing before the dive of course!!) The lunch at Catalina Island was good and provided lots of opportunity for beach time or shade (nice after all of the boat time in the sun) All in all. I’m very pleased.

Disorganized and dangerous

Companion689954, Jan 2020

We had booked a dive trip with Passion Paradise. Although the pick-up location was specified when booking, no one came for pick-up. Plus $ 4 per person for a taxi. If you hadn't gone there yourself, money would probably have been gone. Then the boats were loaded for 1 hour on arrival and you had to wait. There were many boats at the dive sites. We had to dive with very inexperienced divers in a very large group (9 people) with only one instructor. It is irresponsible. The dive was messy and ineffective. The diving area and the island were nice, drinks and food average.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to review our excursion to Catalina Island, your feedback is valued in helping us to improve the way we run our excursions. Firstly, I like to state that our instructors alway's does a license check before any dive. If Clients are mixed certificate we always have 2 instructors on site. Groups are organized by qualifications, they are never mixed. Secondly, Your pick up location was at the cruise liner, We are not permitted to enter in the port, the regulations at the cruiser is extremely strict. For this reason we informed you of our location and the costing prior to your excursion. We provided a return bus back in the afternoon. Thirdly, All groups come from different location on the island , some 5 minutes away and others 2 hours away. cruiser line is only located 5 minutes we also state that clients need to be there at 9:30 am this day you where there at 9:10 am. We thank you for your feedback and aim to use this to help provide a better service.

Nice dives but transportation killed the whole experience

Rodolphe D, Oct 2019

The diving center answered quickly and efficiently to my questions. Dive site is nice but I could have wished that they had organised the dive by levels so I had ended up with new beginners. Well the site was so nice that I did not give much care about it. I ended doing my dive slightly away from the group. Diving site should absolutely do a licence check... The worst was transportation back to the hotel... And it killed the whole experience. Transport picked up drunk tourist and one got sick. It took me 3 hours to drive me back to hotel

Response from Host, Nov 2019

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to review our excursion to Catalina Island, your feedback is valued in helping us to improve the way we run our excursions. Firstly, I like to state that our instructors alway's does a license check before any dive. If Clients are mixed certificate we always have 2 instructors on site. Groups are organized by qualifications. Secondly, On return to the hotel the client that was sick was not drunk they had motion sickness and was extremely sick, we apologies that you experienced this , however this was out of our control. Thirdly, Transfer to and from Hotel can be anything up to two and half hours because of the location of the hotel. We are trying to minimize the time spent in the bus by providing a meeting point where there is a change of bus to directly take you back to your hotel, rather than waiting. Many thanks

Non Responsable diving center

Tomaz C, Jan 2019

The departure from marina LA ROMANA to ISLA CATALINA was delaied for 30 min without any explaining or diving operator information. It was planty of time to get a lot of info and to make all checks required..The diving masters from the PASSION PARADISE ADVENTURES did not demand the divers to present their diving lycence, so there were some participents introducing thamselves as licenced divers, but admited once in the water, to be on their first dive. It was a real problem to the whole group, when it became obvious that divers are with no dive experisnces at all, and diving with the others open diving licenced divers...The diving masters did not make groups with more or less same level of skils..There were only 2 dive masters for more than 20 divers, which is absolutly not enaygh.. I belive the diving center should act more responsable in providing all the divers good conditions for diving, which means the skilled divers should not have to sacrifice their dive time due to being pushed into the problems under water with the non skilled divers..I expected a lot from the diveing in ISLA CATALINA, but this kind of organization can realy deminish the chance to enjoy diveing in the beautiful underwater world..