Catalina Island (Isla Catalina) is located about 100 kilometers from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, spanning an area of approximately 10 square kilometers. It boasts a balmy tropical climate, rendering it an uninhabited paradise yet prepared with all crucial services for traveler indulgence. The atmosphere is humid, with a median temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Accessible inside a swift half-hour boat ride from nearby La Romana, Catalina Island occasionally serves as a stop for cruise liners traversing Caribbean routes, presenting secluded seashore enclaves for passengers. While now not expansive, it ranks as the Dominican Republic's second-largest island, surpassed only by Saona Island.
Map of Catalina Island
| Name | Catalina Island (Spanish: Isla Catalina) |
| Country | Dominican Republic |
| Province | La Romana |
| Coordinates | 18°21′36″N 69°00′17″W |
| Area | 9.6 km2 (3.7 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-4 |
| Population | 0 |
| Airport | N/A |
Best Things to Do on Catalina Island
To experience the pleasures of Catalina Island, you may embark on short tours from ports such as Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, or La Romana. These outings might also consist of sampling Caribbean delicacies and tropical drinks or even taking part in merengue dance and bachata training. The average duration of exploring the island is 10 hours, but it is positive that traffic wouldn't need to go away.
Catalina Island boasts three primary beaches - north, east, and west. While the west seashore reviews the fastest improvement and attracts the maximum number of visitors, we can not brush aside the massive boom capability of different beaches. You can decorate and enjoy yourself by partaking in professional tours and activities provided through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Eden of Flora and Fauna
On Catalina Island, the spell-binding surroundings, delicate white sand seashores, and tranquil heat waters represent a habitat for a numerous array of flowers and fauna. This island serves as an ecological reserve and is part of a nationally included region, web hosting over 500 species of vegetation and more than 300 bird species.
The terrestrial fauna of Catalina Island is predominantly specific, such as a type of frog, a land turtle, two snake species, six lizard species, ten chicken species, 4 turtle species, and some mammals.
Speaking of fish, a myriad of colorful sorts awaits visitors: seahorses, sponges, fantastically hued pufferfish, pairs of darting butterflyfish, queen angelfish, boxfish, sea urchins, trumpetfish, yellowtail snappers, and painted fish. Chapín and different fish species also thrive within the warm and clear waters around Catalina Island.
As for the botanical realm, tropical dry forests beautify the entire geographical area of Catalina Island, offering abundant chaparro trees, resbalamano bushes, and olive trees. Mango timber, coconut arms, and palms (including Pactá) also make this locale crucial, alongside mangroves and shrubs. Deep inside the waters around Catalina Island lies a picturesque coral reef garden.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The transparent waters of the eastern, western, and northern beaches make snorkeling a satisfying revel in. The surrounding coral reefs are the number one members of the abundance of marine lifestyles. Here, one could come across quite a few sea creatures, from lobsters and colorful fish to giant rays.
However, the island is most famed for its diving spots. Diving activities on Catalina Island reach the top at sites like El Muro and El Acuario.
El Muro also referred to as the Catalina Wall features a submerged slope descending to depths of a hundred meters, teeming with marine lifestyles—the diving intensity tiers from 20 to 40 meters, on hand only to the most experienced divers.
El Acuario offers an extra diving opportunity, with depths that are the highest at 11 meters. Here, you can examine a myriad of colorful fish around the coral reefs. Lionfish, frogfish, and seahorses are the real stars of this spot.
Adding to its attraction, Catalina Island is the website of a historical shipwreck—the Quedagh Merchant, commanded by Captain Kidd in the past due 17th century. The discovery of Captain Kidd's cannon inside the Smash is considered the most regarded pirate cannon discovered within the Caribbean.
While the underwater international of Catalina is indeed astonishing, its surface beauty is equally captivating. Pristine beaches surrounded with the aid of lush plants invite visitors to loosen up and revel in the white sands for hours.
Morgan's Head
For those who prefer not to disembark, Catalina Island offers a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and landscapes among its rock formations, such as Morgan's Head. This colossal rock, resembling the contours of a human figure, features fine sandy beaches and lush vegetation.
This immense rock formation, sculpted by wind and waves, resembles a human face. It is named after the pirate Henry Morgan, who sailed these waters in the 17th century.
Fishing and Walking
Fishing enthusiasts can also find the thrill and relaxation of their sport in this Dominican paradise.
More traditional visitors can enjoy the sensation of fine powdery sand on their feet after a relaxing swim, dreaming on the beach.
Catalina or Shona Island?
You do not need to pick out. Why should you?
Much like Catalina Island, quite a few services offer brief journeys to discover Saona Island. In this case, most excursions go away from the beaches of Bayahibe town. Some of these trips encompass a stop at Palmilla, a white sandy seaside with a big herbal swimming pool. Another need-to-see spot is Mano Juan, the handiest inhabited area on Saona Island.
Animal fans should be aware that Saona Island is the most important nesting site for sea turtles in the Dominican Republic.
As you can see, Saona Island has its deserved allure, as does Catalina Island. The latter is a haven for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, making it a need to go if these activities are your priority. However, this doesn't prevent a visit to Saona Island some other day.
So, when asked about approximately Saona Island or Catalina Island, the solution is each.
Tour Tips for Catalina Island
- When heading to the beach, wear snug shoes and flip-flops.
- Apply sunscreen, as the island's tropical weather usually is sunny.
- Carry a go-well with you and a change of garments to wear after your go-to.
- Please bring a towel to lie on the sand or dry it off after swimming. The island's surroundings are pristine, so you might not discover solar loungers or different locations to lie down.
- Wear a cap or hat and sunshades.
- Use insect repellent because the island usually has many mosquitoes.
- Take a water-resistant digicam to seize underwater pix.
- The exceptional time to go to Catalina Island is from January to April when rainfall is minimal, and temperatures decrease. Nonetheless, any time of the 12 months is suitable for exploring those herbal wonders.
