Catalinita Island

Catalinita is a tiny uninhabited cay 12 kilometres southeast of Bayahibe whose surrounding walls and pinnacles remain among the most pristine coral structures in the Dominican Republic, untouched by anchor damage and far enough offshore to deter casual snorkellers. Eagle rays cruise the sandy channels between the island and the outer reef crest in pairs and loose aggregations, while hawksbill turtles rest on the hard coral ledges at 12 to 18 metres. The visibility here regularly exceeds 30 metres, allowing divers to take in the full sweep of staghorn and elkhorn meadows that have recovered substantially under the protection of the Del Este National Park.