Marinarium at Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

[Wahoo]

If you ever get to Punta Cana, even if you do no other tours, you must do the Marinarium. This is what a booze cruise is supposed to be! I had the pleasure of going on the Marinarium day trip a few years ago, and it was definitely one of the highlights of my Punta Cana vacation. The catamaran's first stop is at an off-shore pen to snorkle and swim with the sharks and rays. They're harmless nurse sharks, that just lie on the bottom and look like they're dead, but at least you can boast later that you survived swimming with the sharks and rays. The snorkling is superb, but you have to be careful to avoid the fire coral--the currents are strong and will force you into the fire coral if you're not careful. Next, the catamaran proceeds to a shallow spot about a half mile off-shore for an hour or two of swimming, but en route the music is cranked up for dancing and lunch and the Dominican Republic's national drink, Coco Locos, are served. Lunch, when I went, was a joke--just a couple of platters of white bread and slices of some mystery meat and cheese being passed around--but the Coco Locos hit the spot! Upon arriving at the shallow sandbar, that's where the serious drinking begins. The chest-deep water is deliciously soupy warm and relaxing, and the catamaran crew keeps the rum drinks coming. It's impossible to not have a good time on this booze cruise--interesting and fun people of all nationalities and the crew is entertaining and expert in creating the party spirit and keeping it going. Don't know if I'll ever get back to Punta Cana, but if I do, I'll definitely do the Marinarium tour again.

http://www.marinarium.com/

[ECO]

That sounds like fun Wahoo! Are they protective of the reef? I've been some places where they are really picky and others where they run boats into them with blinking an eye.

[Wahoo]

Well, the water depth where the catamaran anchors is I'd guess 20-25 ft, so there's no danger of damage to the reef. Actually, the Marinarium tour was my second choice that day. The one I really wanted was the Saona Island tour--a virtual paradise within paradise. But, even though I was unable to book Saona Island, I rate the Marinarium 5 Coco Locos, so all's well that ends well.

I had a great time in Punta Cana and would do it again, though if it were a toss-up between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, I'd go with Jamaica (where you can drink the water and the food is incomparable) in a heart-beat.