by Susannah Schild

Created on: July 28, 2008   Last Updated: July 31, 2008

Dominican Republic - The Great Outdoors

With its white sand beaches, exotic ocean life, and well-preserved national parks, the Dominican Republic is a perfect place to enjoy a unique brand of natural beauty. Whether you prefer to explore the island in a scuba suit or by horseback, finding time to enjoy the exquisite natural environment is an essential part of any Dominican Republic vacation.

Diving and Snorkeling
The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular diving spots in the Caribbean. The waters surrounding the island are filled with colorful and varied marine life along with several shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.
On the East Coast, divers can take a dip at Saona Island, a protected sanctuary that provides a home to turtles, whales, sharks, and vibrantly colored coral formations. Near Bayahibe, there are two well known shipwrecks, The Saint George and The Embassy, along with some smaller and less well-known ones. Aside from discovering a bit of ancient underwater history, you'll also enjoy the large schools of fish that make the ships their home.
Other great places to dive include Punta Cana, which is home to the longest coral reef on the island, and Puerto Plata, which houses three Spanish shipwrecks from the 1500's. Near Sosua beach, you'll find diving spots that include shallow reefs for beginners and more advanced sites - this area is home to tropical fish, whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins.

Windsurfing, and Kiteboarding
Another popular way to enjoy the ocean environment of the Dominican Republic is by harnessing the power of wind and sea. Kiteboarding, which uses a large kite to catch the wind for a board surfer down below, is one of the most popular sports in the area. In fact, the Kiteboarding World Cup has been held in the Dominican Republic for the past several years.
Visitors to the area can take private lessons or attend a Kiteboarding and Windsurfing school. The most popular spots for exploring the windy waters are Cabarete on the North Coast, and Las Salinas and Las Calderas Bay on the Southwest coast.

Exploring National Parks
The Dominican Republic is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic national parks in the world. Explore El Choco National Park and the caves of Cabarete. You can swim in the water filled caves, ride the park on horseback, and take a look at many species of orchid that are unique to the area.
Del Este National Park is located near the popular tourist spot, La Romana. Here, you'll find an incredible inner island surrounded by dolphins and filled with 110 different species of tropical birds.
There are many more parks to visit when you're in the Dominican Republic. Make sure to come equipped with a flashlight for caves, good walking shoes, and binoculars if you plan on doing some bird watching. They'll come in handy - the Dominican Republic is home to many species of birds that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

Start planning your island vacation, and make sure to include these outings or others that will give you a chance to thoroughly enjoy the natural beauty of the area. From surfing and swimming to hiking, riding, and beyond, there are lots of ways for the curious Dominican Republic traveler to take advantage of the island's great outdoors.

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