Marinarium Marine Park
The Marinarium Marine Park in Punta Cana offers a shark snorkeling tour. Visitors cruise along the beaches of Bavaro on a catamaran while being introduced to marine life and kitted out with snorkeling equipment. The marine park has 40,000 square meters of snorkeling area for guests to use. Initially, visitors will begin by snorkeling in these waters, getting used to the equipment and seeing all the local fish life, before being taken to the aquarium, where visitors can then swim with nurse sharks and sting rays.
Marinarium Marine Park
Cabeza de Toro Bavaro
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
(809) 468-3983
www.marinarium.com/english/english.htm
Bavaro Reef
Another excellent way to swim with sharks is to go scuba diving. Bavaro Reef is a popular Punta Cana dive site just a few minutes from shore. Depths reach 50 feet at Bavaro Reef and along the reef you will find cavernous holes large enough for you to swim through and even some shipwrecks. One of the best dive sites along Bavaro Reef to spot sharks is at Cavernas, where there is a good chance you can see a sleeping nurse shark. Also, keep an eye out for moray eels and rays at Rondana dive site and eagle rays at Paradise. The U.S.-based tour company Gray Line organizes dive trips along Bavaro Reef.
Gray Line Worldwide
1835 Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 394.6920
www.grayline.com/Grayline/interests/adventure.aspx?mode=activityDetail&apid=3672&sid=691
Catalinitas
For the best chance of seeing sharks on your dive, take an excursion to nearby Catalinita Island which is home to a dive site named Shark Point. At Shark Point you will come across numerous species of shark as well as spectacular coral and shoals of fishes. The area is also famous for large marine life such as dolphins, turtles and eagle rays. One popular company that offers dive trips to Catalinita is Dressel Divers.
Dressel Divers
Playa Bávaro
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
(809) 221-6500
www.dresseldivers.com/en/punta_cana_bavaro.htm
Article Written By Shiromi Nassreen
Shiromi Nassreen has been writing professionally since 2005. She specializes in travel and outdoor topics, and her articles have appeared in various print and online publications, including "DISfunkshion Magazine" and Matador Travel. Nassreen holds a Bachelor of Arts in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama.
