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A scuba diver interacts with tropical fish in an underwater setting, showcasing marine diversity.
📷 sofiya walrus · Pexels

Aquarium

3.6 — based on 17 community signals
4.2 12 especies 26 colaboradores

Aquarium is a year-round dive site in the Dominican Republic, protected within Monumento Natural Isla Catalina, known for diverse marine life and healthy corals.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Monumento Natural Isla Catalin… updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Principiante
Visibilidad
20 m
MPAFamily-friendlyShore entry

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
beginner
Visibilidad
20 m
Mejores meses
Todo el año

Mapa

Este spot Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de Aquarium © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
4.7 kn
Olas
0.98 m
Agua
29.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (23%)
Now: ESE (109°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 0.25m

Próxima: Baja a las 04:00 (+0.35m)

+0.6 m+0.3 m
▼ 04:00 · +0.35m ▲ 07:00 · +0.36m ▲ 18:00 · +0.58m ▼ 05:00 · +0.35m Ahora +0.4m
Vie 18Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24
UV6.65 · high Aire PM2.523 · moderate 06:24 18:35
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-18 9 1.1 7 0mm
09-19 7.7 0.9 8 3mm
09-20 6.3 0.68 8 3mm
09-21 9.6 0.68 9 3mm
09-22 5.7 0.66 8 7mm
09-23 5.7 0.62 8 8mm
09-24 8.8 0.56 9 6mm

About this spot

Aquarium sits within Monumento Natural Isla Catalina, a marine protected area off the Dominican Republic coast. The site draws divers year-round thanks to stable conditions and vibrant reef ecology. Because it sits inside an MPA, the reef receives legal protection from fishing and anchoring damage, which helps sustain coral health and fish populations. The name Aquarium reflects what you'll see: an active reef with varied marine life across shallow and moderate depths. Coral bleaching stress is currently low, meaning the reef structure remains intact and colorful. Local community footage documents the site's character, with 12 species observations on record showing the biodiversity present. Access is via boat from the nearest mainland port. The protected status means there are rules—check current permit and operator requirements before planning your trip. Conditions remain favorable throughout the year, making Aquarium accessible to divers across different seasons and schedules.

Mejores meses

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Tipos de buceo

ArrecifeBarco

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 6640km · ~1527kg · €27

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 89/100
  • Visado: Sin visado · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 11h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 1h este · 1 día de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Aquarium?

Aquarium is diveable year-round. The Dominican Republic's tropical location keeps water temperatures and conditions stable across all seasons, so plan based on your schedule rather than weather windows.

What depths and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Aquarium isn't documented in current records. Contact local dive operators near Isla Catalina for site-specific details before booking.

What marine life will I see?

Aquarium supports diverse reef life. Twelve species observations are on record, and community video evidence shows active fish populations and healthy corals. Specific species vary by depth and season—ask your operator for current sightings.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Yes. Aquarium lies inside Monumento Natural Isla Catalina, a marine protected area. You must use a licensed local operator and follow MPA rules. Check with Dominican authorities or your dive operator for current permit requirements.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

14 registros · 12 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Nerita versicolor

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Última observación:
26 ene 2026
×1registros

Echinometra lucunter

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Última observación:
11 ene 2026
×1registros

Aplysina fistularis

Demospongiae · Aplysinidae
GBIF
Última observación:
9 ene 2026
×1registros

Dendrodoris krebsii

Gastropoda · Dendrodorididae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×2registros

Chiton tuberculatus

Polyplacophora · Chitonidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×2registros

Pseudodiploria clivosa

Anthozoa · Faviidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Acropora palmata

Anthozoa · Acroporidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Tripneustes ventricosus

Echinoidea · Toxopneustidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Iotrochota birotulata

Demospongiae · Iotrochotidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Nerita tessellata

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Palythoa caribaeorum

Anthozoa · Sphenopidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Parazoanthus swiftii

Anthozoa · Parazoanthidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 ene 2026
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

SCUBA Diving At Aquarium Dive Site, Catalina Island, Dominican Republic

Serge The Diver

Scuba Diving in the Dominican Republic w/@GoDominicanRepublic

Scuba Diver Magazine

Scuba Dive Isla Catalina | Dominican Republic | Travel

JenThereDoneThat
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Mar (100/100) Worst: Oct (0/100) Now: Sep (6/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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