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Dive Review of Dressel Divers Club/Bavaro Princess in
Dominican Republic/Punta Cana\Bayahibe

Dressel Divers Club/Bavaro Princess, Jun, 2007,

by Donald A Ricetti, PA, USA (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 8 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 4242.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 1 stars Food 2 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments Dressel Divers Club is not located at the resort I was staying at but I was informed that it was a 15 - 20 minute walk down the beach. The actual walk was over an hour or a taxi ride was 20 minutes each way. Once at the resort where they are located I was not allowed to enter the compound via any entrance and had to have a shuttle from the dive operator pick me up.I eventually arranged a water taxi to shuttle from beach to beach which was faster and eliminated the gate problem. The reefs are all shallow with not many large groups of fish on the Punta Cana side. Defiantly recommend the Bayahibe side as the fish life is more abundant, dives are deeper with the option for night diving and there are more wrecks to visit. The dive boat has a covered area for shade, is fairly stable in the choppy conditions but it is a cattle boat so it gets crowded. Of the other dive operators I saw Dressel was the only operator who routinely utilized a decent boat as most other operators had open Boston Whaler type boats with entries made back roll and exits via nonfixed ladder. Most dive sites are located about 10 - 15 minutes away. Procedure is to assemble gear on shore then pack to dive boat which is pulled up on the beach. Dive briefing takes place on shore and you receive partner assignments as well. Groups were kept to 4 divers + DM and each group would enter the water, meet at the mooring and then descend. Rental gear looked good, tanks (AL 80's)were always topped off nicely. All staff speaks English but this is not their native language but this is not a problem. I was aware that this location was not popular with US visitors but is more popular with Europeans. On the Punta Cana side you would need a shovel to get deeper than 60' so expect shallow dives. The 2 wrecks available (Monica's & Alstrom) are interesting with Monica's being about 100 years old and was transporting a complete railway at the time of sinking which makes for some interesting exploring.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean, Hawaii, Great Lakes, St Lawrence Seaway
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, surge
Water Temp 81-85°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Surface with 500 PSI, First to 1000 PSI & whole group returns. If air remaining could continue to explore near anchor.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments No separate rinse facilities either ashore or on board. No secure/dry storage area for equipment.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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