Holidays in the Dominican Republic are synonymous with the sea and, of course, aquatic adventures.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience that will be fun and will remain in your memory forever, we invite you to discover the wonderful underwater world.

The warm waters of the country make it a year-round sport. Whether you’re a curious beginner or an experienced diver who wants to improve your qualification, our water sports centre has certified instructors who offer you the opportunity to make your dream come true and explore the depths of the Caribbean Sea.

Why should I get PADI certified while on holiday?

We could give you many reasons, but here are the main ones.

1. The convenience of being able to do it at the hotel’s facilities, with dives both in the pool and in the sea.
2. Whatever the month, the water will always be at the right temperature to inspire you.
3. You will receive the official PADI certificate (internationally recognised), which will allow you to practise recreational diving anywhere in the world. And what’s more, this licence will be yours forever.
4. As the Little Mermaid said, “Life is better under the sea” and you can discover an exciting new world of coral, fish, history and adventure. Click here to discover some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean.
5. Our water sports centres, managed by SeaPro Divers, are staffed by qualified professionals and have certified diving equipment to guarantee your safety. PADI certification is based on rigorous standards to ensure that your dives are safe and can be enjoyed with confidence.
6. We offer a free trial lesson in the pool so you can see if it’s for you.

What is the PADI dive course like?

The first thing you need to know is that PADI diving courses have different levels, which also allows for continuous training if you see that you like the sport and want to keep improving.

The first 3 levels and the most requested by our clients are:

1. Discover Scuba Diving (DSD): Beginner level and an excellent choice for the more indecisive. It is not necessary to take the next qualification (OWD).

This is an introductory course, where you can make your first dive in shallow water, learn the basics of scuba diving, and experience the sensation of breathing underwater. It is a short experience for anyone over the age of 10, and usually lasts one day.

      2.Open Water Diver (OWD): The most popular and recognised course. You can start at this level if you wish (it is not necessary to have done DSD first).

This course allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres. It takes a little longer than the previous course: between 3 and 4 half days. You will learn the basics of diving, develop your underwater skills further and acquire the essential knowledge, which you can then build on and improve.

     3.Advance Open Water Diver (AOW): This qualification requires a previous OWD qualification. If you already have this, then you can continue your training to gain more experience and confidence underwater.

On this course you will complete five different types of adventure dives (adventure dives are similar to regular dives but focus on different specialities). With this course you will be able to dive up to a depth of 30 metres. Of the five dives you complete, two are compulsory, underwater navigation and deep diving.

AOW is a great way to continue your diving journey and discover new interests.

What do I need to know before I embark on a diving course?

We understand that embarking on a new adventure such as scuba diving can be a little intimidating at first, and you may also be wondering if it is a good idea to do it outside of your country. For this reason, we would like to give you some guidelines that we hope will help you:

1. As we have already mentioned, PADI is an official internationally controlled certification, and the dive centres in our hotels are all official PADI authorised dive centres to teach you how to dive. Therefore, the qualification you gain here during your holiday is just as valid as the one you can obtain in your country or in any other country.
2. We must not forget that diving requires a minimum level of physical fitness, a poor state of health can prevent us from practising this sport. If you have any doubts, it is important to consult a doctor before embarking on the adventure.
3. Depending on your age or physical condition, you may face certain limitations when diving.
4. You don’t need to be a professional swimmer, but you do need to be able to handle yourself and feel comfortable in the water, anxiety and fear are not good diving partners.
5. Before starting your course, take as much time as you need to do your research and ask the instructors as many questions as you feel necessary.

At Princess Hotels Punta Cana, we are very pleased to be able to offer you the unique opportunity to discover the fascinating underwater world while enjoying your well-deserved holiday on the stunning beaches of Bávaro.

So, if you’ve been thinking about how to start your adventure, remember that the professionals at the aquatic centres on the beaches of our hotels in Punta Cana are waiting for you.

If you’ve already given it a try, share your experiences with us, and if you’ve not yet done it but want to give it a go, let us know!

Categories: Caribbean, Sports and Activities, Sports and Adventure, Sports & Wellness, Punta Cana