Reef Explorer Half Day Trip

Spoiler alert: The reefs in the DR are not like Belize, Turks, or similar, they are not colorful and full of soft corals, the water is simply too hot. The beaches at this time are covered with sea grass, you almost cannot find a clear beach from shore to water, so, you most likely need to do something like this to get out and see anything. That said, is it worth the cost, in my opinion, no. They do a great job of making it sound great and some of the pictures are good. The location is about 5 minutes by boat from the beach, you can see the location from the beach, so do not expect a isolated or remote feel. The reality is, half our group sat in the sun, drank, and did very little water activities, extreme waste of money for them. The water was pretty clear, they feed the fish to attract them, so that was good. They have several activities to break up the 3 hours, you can paddle board, sea kyak, need little snorkle boards (viewing window). they have maybe 5 or 6 nurse sharks in a small paddock, and 4 or 5 rays, in another. I'm a assistant scub instructor, seeing the way they go and grab a ray and bring it up did not settle well, I'm sure they are fed well, but the exploiting for photos and tourism was a bit much. We got wrapped up into it, but refused to pay the $30+ for a photo. The massage was 15 min, and very limited, still okay, I guess. Overall, it was a fun experience for the kids having never been in warm water before. For me, it was just, ok. I have no comparison to other providers or excusions to base it on. Do your research and make sure this is something you really want to do.

Recommended to us by the butler. Great choice! The customer service was great … and the snorkeling was perfect - lots of fish and beautiful reef nature.

Amazing opportunity to snorkel and visit with nurse sharks and sting rays. Also had an amazing massage as well! Thanks to Ramon for his snorkeling guidance!

FUN day of snorkeling with sharks, stingrays, and over coral reefs with gorgeous fish! We also kayaked and received short but refreshing massages. The smoothies were delicious and refreshing and while there was very little food, we weren't there to eat. Immensely enjoyable experience

It was all well organized, but that's about it. This has more to do with the taxi to and from the excursion. The 'reef' is not there. They are 2 closed basins, one contains stingrays and the other nurse sharks. The animals are not treated with respect. You could have a photo taken with a stingray. This involved one of the employees hitting the other with the tail of the stingray. The massage was fine. It was supposed to take 15 minutes but unfortunately it wasn't 15 minutes. (This had nothing to do with people waiting or lack of time) The smoothie was tasty. The rest of the food had dried out. It's not a cheap excursion and what you get for it is truly disgraceful. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

Our trip out to the reef was delayed about 45 minutes. The trip out on the boat was fine. If you are used to snorkeling in crystal clear water, you'll be a bit disappointed when you go into the enclosures on this excursion where they have the sting rays and nurse sharks--the water was murky so it was difficult to see them clearly. The staff was nice. I wouldn't recommend the complimentary 15 minute massage--it was too rough--unless that's what you like. The highlight of this excursion was being able to feed the fish that are under the floating dock with leftover day old bread. Creates quite the frenzy.

Over priced. The snorkeling was awesome and the staff assisting with the nurse sharks and stingrays were great. The snack food was mediocre and could be improved for the price. Massages were nice but beds are not hygienic where you put your face.

Very fun! Was my boyfriend and I we did most of the offered experience. Eat before you go, they do offer food but more like snacks. Water was beautiful and staff was friendly.

Amazing trip!!! The best trip whilst visiting Punta Cana. The staff on the boat were so fun and so happy. We had a good few hours snorkelling in the sea seeing the tropical fish and snorkelling with the sharks and sting rays before we then got back on the boat and had a good dance with everyone including the staff, had lots of drinks which were included and got in the clear blue sea by bavaro beach. Make sure you do the half day trip!! Could not recommend enough!! 10/10

Absolutely amazing from start to finish. Everyone that works there is great and made the experience fantastic . We did everything except the massage but that was only because we wanted to do all the others activities. Snorkelling was out of this world from the moment we entered the water. Feeding the fish out of your hands gets you up close with so many different fish. Swimming with rays and sharks was fantastic. Watching the rays just appear from underneath the sand, then with the staffs help we were able to get close to them, again amazing. We then did power snorkel in with the sharks was great, helped to keep up with them and move about the space easier. Next we attempted to paddle board, this was so much fun trying to balance and stand up on the boards was hilarious and not as easy as it looks. Last was kayaking nice and relaxing after all the other activities. Got to be the best thing we have done on this holiday and would 100% recommend it