Catalina Island Snorkeling Tour from Punta Cana
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ADULTS US$ 109 - CHILDS US$ 59
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Duration: 10 hours
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Available: Thursdays
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Ages: 10+
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STARTS: 8 am
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The Wall, White Sand Beach & Dominican Lunch
If you’ve ever wanted to see what the Caribbean looks like under the surface, Catalina Island is the answer. And La Pared — The Wall — is exactly where you want to be.
Catalina Island sits off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic near La Romana, surrounded by some of the clearest water in the Caribbean. The offshore waters are a registered national marine park and the snorkeling here is genuinely exceptional — not because someone says so, but because the coral formations, the visibility and the sheer variety of marine life make it stand apart from every other snorkeling spot in the country.
This full-day tour from Punta Cana takes you there and back with everything included — snorkeling, beach time, Dominican lunch and open bar from start to finish.
What Happens on the Tour
After hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro, you travel to La Romana where you board a comfortable catamaran and set sail for Catalina Island.
Your first stop is La Pared — The Wall. This is a dramatic coral wall on the east side of the island that drops from the surface of the Caribbean Sea into deeper water. The visibility here can reach up to 20 meters and the marine life is extraordinary — vase sponge, fire coral, elkhorn coral, green parrotfish, moray eels, stingrays, trumpet fish, lionfish, porcupine fish and dozens of other species. The guides are PADI-certified and in the water with you throughout, pointing out marine life and making sure everyone is comfortable. Bread is fed to the fish during the snorkeling session — expect them to swim right up to you.
After The Wall, the catamaran takes you around to the west side of the island to Catalina’s private beach — a two-kilometer stretch of white sand with the kind of turquoise water that looks fake in photos but is completely real when you’re standing in it.
The afternoon is yours. Swim off the shore, relax on a sun lounger under the palm trees, explore the beach or head back to the water for more snorkeling at The Aquarium — the second snorkeling site on the island’s west side, shallower and perfect for anyone who wants a more relaxed underwater experience.
At 1:00 PM, lunch is served on the beach by the island’s own chef — a proper Dominican feast of barbecued meats, grilled chicken and pork, rice, pasta, fresh salads, tropical fruits and an open bar with rum, beer, Cuba Libre, fruit punch, mamajuana, sodas and water.
The catamaran picks you up in the mid-afternoon and heads back to La Romana with drinks and music on board, dropping you back at your hotel in Punta Cana by early evening.
What’s Included
- Hotel pickup from Punta Cana and Bavaro resort areas
- Round-trip air-conditioned transportation to La Romana
- Catamaran ride to and from Catalina Island
- Snorkeling at La Pared — The Wall — all gear provided, PADI-certified guides
- Snorkeling at The Aquarium (west side beach)
- Full afternoon on Catalina Island’s private beach — sun loungers available
- Dominican BBQ lunch on the island — grilled meats, rice, pasta, salads, tropical fruits
- Open bar all day — rum, beer, Cuba Libre, fruit punch, mamajuana, sodas and water
- Return catamaran ride with music and entertainment
- Return transportation to your hotel
Good to Know
- Duration: approximately 10 hours including transportation
- Adults: US$ 109 | Children: US$ 69
- Available daily — departure from La Romana at 10:00 AM
- Snorkeling not recommended for pregnant women or children under 10
- Moderate swimming ability required for The Wall snorkeling site
- Life jackets available for all guests
- Book 2 or more activities and save 10% with promo code BOOK2SAVE10
What to Bring
Swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, towel, sunglasses, comfortable sandals and a waterproof camera or phone case. You’ll want photos at The Wall and the beach — the water color is something else.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is La Pared — The Wall?
La Pared is a coral wall on the east side of Catalina Island, considered one of the finest snorkeling sites in the Dominican Republic. It’s part of a protected national marine park with exceptional visibility, dramatic coral formations and an extraordinary variety of Caribbean marine life. The guides feed the fish during the snorkeling session so they swim right up to you.
- What is The Aquarium?
The Aquarium is a shallower snorkeling site on the west side of Catalina Island near the beach. It’s perfect for less experienced snorkelers and features beautiful coral formations, lionfish, sea horses and a wide range of tropical fish species.
- How is this tour different from the Catalina Island & Altos de Chavón tour?
This tour is entirely focused on Catalina Island — more beach time, more snorkeling and a longer, more relaxed day on the island. The Catalina & Altos de Chavón tour combines the island with a cultural visit to the 16th-century Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavón. If you want pure island and snorkeling time, this is the one. If you want island plus culture, go with the combo.
- Is there a famous shipwreck near Catalina Island?
Yes. The Quedagh Merchant — the last ship of the pirate Captain Kidd — sits in just 9 to 10 feet of water less than 100 yards from the island’s shore. It’s visible while snorkeling and is one of the most historically fascinating underwater features in the entire Caribbean.
- Do I need snorkeling experience?
No experience is needed for The Aquarium snorkeling site near the beach. La Pared requires moderate comfort in the water as it involves deeper open-water snorkeling. PADI-certified guides are with you throughout and life jackets are available for everyone.
- Is Catalina Island crowded?
Catalina Island receives fewer visitors than Saona Island, making it a quieter and more exclusive experience. The island is uninhabited and no overnight stays are permitted, which keeps it in pristine condition.
