Catalinita

 
diving and deep sea fishing
 
 
     
     
     

Location. Parque Nacional del Este is on the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. This intact coastal ecosystem provides prime habitat for hundreds of species of plants, birds, fish and other marine animals.

Animals. As one of the Caribbean's largest marine parks, the park is a nursery for 112 of the Dominican Republic's 303 bird species. Eight species of birds are found only on Hispaniola, including the ashy-faced owl and the Hispaniolan lizard-cuckoo. Four species of sea turtles use the park's shores as nesting sites. Manatees, bottlenose dolphins, numerous fish species and an immense coral reef system live in the park's offshore waters.

Diving and deep sea fishing. From Bayahibe, in front of the north-west side of Saona island get by motor boat to Catalinita island not to be confused with isla Catalina. Catalinita is on the north-east end of Saona island it is on the Mona Passage side of the barrier reef that goes north-south along the eastern end of mainland Dominican Republic, so the eastern end of Catalinita is very close to very deep water and this is the best place to see bigger animals. Everytime you go to this site you see sharks, barracuda and large rays.

Forget for a moment the white sand beaches of the Saona south coast, with palm, catamaran and merengue. Visit the rocky north side of the island, parallel to parque national del este, creating a channel at the end of which you will see the fantastic small Catalinita island.