Dominican Republic
There is an always growing number of known water filled caves in the Dominican Republic, literally spread all over the island. To mention some of the areas with underwater caves are Santo Domingo, Pedernales, Cabrera, Bayahibe and others.
The most active exploration is being conducted by an organization called Dominican Republic Speleological Society DRSS and is working together with local institutions as well as international scientists to further explore all the cave systems possibilities and focusing in the preservation.
The actual longest cave in the island is El Toro with around 6,000 ft (1,800 m) in length which was discovered by the DRSS as well as many other cave systems following this one in length.
The most known caves in the island are Cueva Taina, El Tildo, El Chicho and El Dudu, all the easy access to the water and with a good level of safety (outside of the water) being all in private properties or national parks.
Cave diving is playing a very important role in science in the DR, in the last 3 years the DRSS team together with international scientists and "Museo del Hombre Dominicano" has found to mention some: a new specie of cave bacteria, a number of new and extinct bat species, extinct crocodiles found for a first time in the DR, fossil snakes, birds, sloths and several remains of long extinct monkeys and other ancient cave life that is all under research. DRSS has cataloged over 120 new springs all over the island in which many have caverns and cave systems attached.
Safety concerns in Dominican Republic
An important safety issue is happening all over the island and is untrained cave diving, principally lead by unprofessional dive stores and guides risking their customers life's. When diving a cave is mandatory to stick to the safety standards provided by training agencies and not to trust dive stores. Cave training and cave diving gear is needed to penetrate the cave, safe cavern zone does not go beyond 130 ft (40 m) from surface and is always in sight of sunlight. If you see a warning or a Stop sign, do not go beyond no matter what your "guide" says, do not risk your life and report that dive operator and/or instructor that wants to take you there to all diving agencies, including the DRSS.
Read more about this topic: Cave Diving, Cave Diving Venues
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