Coral reefs are massive underwater structures and some of the most varied ecosystems worldwide. These configurations are made up of skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called corals and about 25% of ocean fish have healthy coral reefs to survive. Coral reefs can be discovered in all the world’s oceans, adding the Dominican Republic, where they are incredibly vital to biodiversity, habitat and beaches. Warm, it causes heat stress, which contributes to coral bleaching and disease.
“Climate replacement is the world’s greatest risk to coral reef ecosystems. Scientific evidence now obviously indicates that the Earth’s environment and oceans are warming and that those adjustments are basically due to greenhouse gases derived from human activities.
On our recent visit to the Dominican Republic, my son and I learned about the importance of coral reefs, visited a coral nursery, and swam in the Caribbean Sea among the fish we so desperately need to protect ourselves from climate change. We stayed at the five-star Iberostar Selection Bavaro hotel in Punta Cana, located in the magical place where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, and visited its Coral Lab on land in Playa Bavaro, a short walk from our adorable villa.
In 2017, Iberostar, a Spanish family-owned hotel chain, introduced Wave of Change, a movement to protect the oceans and coastal activity and move even further towards a style of tourism that is guilty of other people and the environment. Then, in 2019, Iberostar made great strides and introduced its first terrestrial coral laboratory in the Dominican Republic. By the end of 2021, they had 4 coral nurseries in 3 countries, adding two in Mexico and one in Jamaica.
“Iberostar is fully committed to helping locate responses and repair coral reefs that have declined at an unprecedented rate over the past century. . . Healthy reefs are a key component of healthy tourism, so Iberostar’s commitment to improving the fitness of coastlines (through the discovery, ionization and recovery of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds) is a key component of Wave of Change.
Coral lab wave
In addition to helping the overall health of corals, Iberostar’s Wave of Change movement aims to protect corals from bleaching, disease and hurricanes. Its scientists seek to save broken corals and be informed on how to repair climate-resilient reefs. His paintings are very important because a quarter of all marine species are found on coral reefs. Healthy coral reefs provide food, habitat and spawning grounds for more than one million species. Control systems where long-term marine situations are simulated. Guests who stop at the resort are encouraged to stop at the coral lab and receive more information on how to protect our oceans.
Coral Lab at Iberostar Selection Bávaro
In 2020, all Iberostar hotels free of plastic and in the hotel in Bávaro implemented a national mangrove recovery program that protects mangroves and seagrass beds. They even have their own composting plant that turns the station’s biological waste into compost for the lawn. Other sustainable tourism goals at Iberostar come with being waste-free by 2025 and carbon neutral by 2030.
Nice view of a pier and coastline in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
Some of the Dominican Republic’s most productive reefs are located in Bayahibe, about an hour’s drive from Punta Cana. This beautiful beach is away from the crowds and is surrounded by coconut palms, white sand, and amazing turquoise waters that sparkle in the sun. The domain is also home to stunning snorkeling and diving spots so you can see the marine life and ecosystems that other people are looking to protect. Dressel Divers offers diving trips and has a dive center directly on the beach at Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus, some five other stunning-star hotel with a coral nursery, but on the ocean.
Dressel divers in Bayahibe
Diving categories begin in the resort’s giant pool with the education of an experienced PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) instructor, before setting out by boat and sailing the Caribbean Sea. It is very important to know how to balance your ears and sinuses before descending into the water and familiarize yourself with the hand signals you will use with your instructor during the dive.
Departure by boat
This was my son’s first open water dive and he was taken to Coco Reef with his instructor, a position with a maximum diving intensity of 12 meters in calm waters. It is home to the magical coral nursery that is now teeming with tropical fish and sea. creatures such as squid, octopus and seahorses. My son has enjoyed reading about fish and watching videos of them and then told me that he identified several species swimming right in front of his face.
School of tropical fish in an underwater sea of coral reefs, Caribbean, Dominican Republic
We want to be informed about a whole new point when young people see firsthand the benefits of what other people are doing to protect our oceans from the climate, replace and repair coral reefs. Our adventures in the Dominican Republic have been incredible, but her time spent swimming at Coco Reef to learn how to breathe underwater surrounded by marine life will be what ignited her passion for diving.
Two divers highlight the sun as they explore a coral reef