Just south of La Romana is an island paradise that gives an idea of what these environs were like back in 1698 when pirate William Kidd anchored his ship offshore and fled his English pursuers. While less than six square miles in size, Isla Catalina supports diverse ecosystems including sand dunes, mangrove forests and impressive coral reefs. The entire island is a national park and rich in wildlife with numerous species of birds and tropical fish. Catalina is a haven for diving and snorkeling, and equipment can easily be rented. Popular dive sites are the appropriately named Wall, a vast coral reef, and Aquarium, where divers may encounter lobsters, stingrays and eels. Lying less than 20 feet below the surface, the wreck of Kidd’s vessel, the Quedagh Merchant, is now a living museum. For those who prefer to relax, great food, cool drinks and beach chairs are easy to find as well.
