Cabo Rojo, the Best Diving in the Dominican Republic

Cabo Rojo is one of the most popular places in the region and a favourite among diving enthusiasts. We’ll tell you why it deserves to be taken into account when deciding where to visit on your next holiday to the Dominican Republic!

How to get to Cabo Rojo

Cabo Rojo is located in the southern part of the country, very close to the city of Pedernales, on the border with Haiti

You have to bear in mind that Cabo Rojo is located in one of the most remote regions of the Dominican Republic, which is likely part of the reason why much of its appeal remains intact. To get here from Santo Domingo, the capital, the best option is to rent a car or hire a taxi service since the trip is 300 kilometres and takes 4 hours and 45 minutes.

From Santo Domingo there are no options to get here by public transport, since the buses end their journey in Barahona. If you still decide to take the bus, from there you’ll have to use a taxi that can drive you the remaining 123 kilometres to Cabo Rojo.

One thing is for sure, getting to Cabo Rojo will be well worth the effort.

What to do Cabo Rojo

Cabo Rojo is known for its incredible white sand beach, but it actually owes its name (Cabo Rojo in English means “Red Cape”) to the presence of a mineral called bauxite, which gives the paths that lead to the beach a characteristic reddish colour

When you arrive, you’ll completely fall in love with this place. You’ll feel that you’re in a special spot when you admire the views of the coast, bathed by the turquoise blue water while listening to the sound of the sea… A true delight for the senses!

Font: Godominicanrepublic.com

Diving in Cabo Rojo

It is precisely the qualities of the sea in this area that make Cabo Rojo one of the paradises for those who enjoy diving. The sea bottom has some of the best preserved coral reefs in the Caribbean. And not only that, but they are full of life as they are home to West Indian manatees and the prized hawksbill turtles who come here to mate.

In this area you can enjoy a scuba diving experience like none other and rent equipment to be able to dive deep into the waters and enjoy a perfect day. But if you have never practised this sport and want to learn, or if you are travelling with other people who would like to start, you can also sign up for diving classes to try your hand at this activity that makes thousands of people travel to Cabo Rojo every year

Once you dive underwater, either in a class or on your own, you will discover a completely unique world before your eyes. The corals will be the first thing to grab your attention, but it’s very important not to touch them, since they are extremely delicate and any friction can cause great damage to the reef. It’s also highly recommended that you use reef safe sun protection, because often the chemicals in sunscreen are one of the major causes linked to coral reef deterioration.

Continuing with your journey under the sea, if you have the opportunity to see a hawksbill turtle, you’ll be able to admire the beauty and grandeur with which these animals move under the water. Hawksbill turtles have been captured throughout history to make luxury objects with their shells, which has turned them into a protected species that we must take special care of in order to preserve them and facilitate their procreation so that they are no longer in danger of extinction and we can continue to admire these impressive animals on the coasts of Cabo Rojo.

Other attractions near Cabo Rojo

Since the trip to Cabo Rojo is quite long, you can take the opportunity to go to other nearby places, and if you haven’t done enough diving, here you can find some of the best places for enjoying this sport in the Dominican Republic and a dreamy holiday in paradise.