North Coast Diving

Dressel Divers. One of the best of the area dive centers, Dressel Divers is on the beach in front of the Iberostar Costa Dorada. Spanish-owned, it has an international, English-speaking staff and a PADI five-star rating. Every morning Dressel Divers offers a two-tank dive in the region’s best dive spots such as Sosúa Bay, night dives, cavern dives, and Paradise Island dive and snorkeling excursions. Certification from beginner to instructor level is available. Also in the morning, nondivers can rent snorkeling gear. For Iberostar guests, one hour per day of snorkeling equipment, kayak, catamaran, and windsurf is free. The company can arrange a third-party pickup at resorts other than Iberostar. Playa Costa Dorada, Carretera Luperón, Km 4, , on the beach of Iberostar Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata, 57000. 809/320--1000; www.dresseldivers.com.

Northern Coast Aquasports. Located on the main street of Sosúa, this PADI 5-Star dive center with a well-stocked retail store offers all levels of PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Instructor, with diving and snorkeling seven days a week. Professionalism is apparent in the initial classroom and pool training. Moreover, the company offers trips to a selection of outstanding sites in the calm, protected waters of Sosúa Bay. This location is not too far from the new Amber Cove cruise ship port in Maímon. All activities are guided by (multilingual) PADI professionals. Calle Pedro Clisante, 8, Sosúa, Puerto Plata, 57000. 809/571–1028; www.northerncoastdiving.com.