Diving-Samana DR?? any suggestions???

[yogiesq]

We are planning to be on the Grandeur Aug. 10th out of Baltimore. Has anyone done any diving in Samana DR? I would love suggestions.

 

Thanks,

 

Yogi Esq.

[jpattigr]

We went to Samana last year on a cruise and had the best day at the beach on the little island that is at the mouth of the bay.

The ship did not have tours going there but we just walked down the street and hired a small boat to take us out and then pick us up at the end of the day!

It was awesome, and most folks did not enjoy the port and it was a great day for us!!

the diving is not very well organized here I was told (I am a diver) and thus skipped diving this port.

[cmdchiefthom]

I dived Cayo Lavantado (Samana) last year in April. To be honest, don't waste your time. Even our divemaster said the diving wasn't very good, but that was an understatement. I've dived in some very nasty water in my career, and this was not the worst by any means, but the trash and garbage in the water was everywhere, and the visibility was maybe 20' or less. The locals fish with explosives, and the result is almost a total absence of coral, sponges and sealife, with the exception of the bottom feeders such as starfish, and urchins. I can not emphasize how awful it was. Having said that, the island (Cayo Lavantado) was kind of neat, nice Tiki bar with cigar and trinket vendors in abundance, but I understand because of its' small size, the number of passengers allowed there is limited. In addition, Costa uses it as their private island, and should a Costa ship be anchored offshore, the island is closed to other cruiselines.:eek: