Sharky’s Crew Diving

Located in the small fishing village of Bayahibe on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, Sharky’s Crew Diving operates in a region known for its calm Caribbean waters. The centre is positioned for easy access via the Coral Highway, serving as a base for exploring the varied marine landscapes of the area.

This family-run SSI Dive Center is designed for divers who value a more personal approach to their underwater adventures. Whether you are looking for a structured training programme or a private trip tailored to your specific interests, the team focuses on providing a bespoke service that moves away from the standard large-group model.

The team is led by owners Peter and Robert, who bring a wealth of practical experience to the boat and the shop. Peter manages the store, acts as a dive guide, and handles Nitrox blending and underwater photography, while Robert leads the customer service team and also serves as a guide and photographer.

Instruction and logistics are handled by a multilingual crew, including Nati, an Assistant Instructor Trainer who covers the range from Open Water Diver to Dive Guide courses. The boat operations are supported by Captain Eddy and guides Dominica, Gabi, and Paja, with Lenka coordinating the daily logistics and operations.

Communication is straightforward for international divers, as the team is proficient in English, Spanish, Czech, and Slovak. This multilingual support ensures that training and dive briefings are clear and precise for a wide range of visitors.

As an SSI Dive Center, the full range of professional and recreational training is available. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or progress through the Open Water Diver certification.

The curriculum extends to more advanced levels, including courses for Dive Guide and Assistant Instructor Trainer. This allows divers to transition from recreational exploration into professional roles within the diving industry.

The centre operates scheduled double tank dives starting at 8:30 AM, typically returning to the harbour between 12 PM and 1 PM. For those seeking a more flexible schedule, they offer planned 3-tank half-day trips or full-day adventures in small private groups.

Private scuba diving options are available, allowing you to tailor your dive spots, the duration of your exploration, and your specific dive times. This personalised approach is ideal for photographers or divers who prefer to control their own ascent rates and bottom times.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their no-decompression limits. The centre provides the necessary blending services to support your dive planning.

While the centre offers various services, they focus heavily on the personalised aspect of the diving experience, ensuring that your specific requirements for a trip are met through their flexible scheduling and private options.

The reefs around Bayahibe are vibrant, featuring extensive hard coral structures and fan corals. You will regularly encounter various reef fish, including snapper, grunts, sergeant majors, and blue tangs, alongside parrotfish and glassy sweepers.

Larger pelagics and mobile species are a regular feature of the area. Divers often spot great barracuda, jacks, and stingrays moving through the water column, while turtles are frequently seen near the reef structures.

For those interested in smaller life forms, the area supports a variety of sea slugs and diverse aquatic species living within the coral habitats.

The waters of Bayahibe are characterised by gentle currents, making it a reliable location for most divers. The region is accessible nearly year-round, operating approximately 320 days a year.

While the conditions are generally stable, the peak of the hurricane season in late September and October can affect operations. Outside of this period, the warm Caribbean environment provides a consistent setting for both reef and wreck diving.