Catalina Island

Catalina is a small uninhabited island — under 10 km² — off La Romana, inside Cotubanamá National Park, and it is the day to book if snorkelling is what you actually want from your trip. It is rockier, greener and far quieter than Saona: pocket beaches and a rugged shoreline rather than an endless strand. The draw is two reef sites, and most tours put you in the water at both before beach time. 'The Wall' is a dramatic vertical drop-off that divers come for; 'The Aquarium' is a shallower coral garden teeming with fish, and visibility at both is excellent. Bring water shoes for the rocky entries and a rash guard — you will be face-down in the sun for a while. Our photographers cover everything above the surface: the crossing, the boat, and the calm beach hours between reef stops, with the clearest water and easiest crossings in the December-to-April dry season.