Went last year -

Would certainly recommend for Open Water cert - quiet compared to somewhere
like Mexico and so much more relaxing for a newbie!

Diving is mixed and some site (such as those "local dives" near Bahia
Maimon) do lack aquatic life, particulary after a 40min boat ride!

Having said that make sure you dive in Sosua, the dives we did there
particulary stand out. The dives there are shore, and about 15min max, but
the reefs are excellent and more fish than you can imagine (like diving an
aquarium)

Food was a problem a number of year ago, but after so much food poisoning
the Dominican Govt stampted down and now standard are very high. Having said
that I would recommend the RIU hotels, where IME the food in particulary
excellent.

outfit with good dive and training facilities. IIRC we got their details
from www.PADI.com.
HTH,

I am a PADI MSDT and recomend the north part of the Island. It is a very clear
dive and good food. I would also take a trip to La Romana and from there you
catch a dive boat to The Aquarium...very full of life..good Cubans...watch out
for the fakes though....Casa de Campo would be best place to stay...real real
nice. I studied Medicine in San Pedro de Macoris and started diving in that
area in 1980 when it was all Virgin..south has been over dived and is getting
better but the North part of the Island is Great
MSDT#160547