Slow Dive
Casa Chihuahua
Eco-friendly dive school, dive center in Bayahibe – Dominican Republic
Scuba diving in very small groups, Personalized PADI courses, authentic private-style land & sea excursions, snorkeling and boat trips,
Marine conservation programs, courses and internships
What we do
Scuba diving
Fun dives, diving courses, marine conservation dives
Maximum 4 divers + 1 instructor on our boat (Private boats available for larger groups)
Excursions
Boat trip, snorkeling trips, outback excursions
Maximum 5 snorkelers + 1 guide on our boat (Private boats available for larger groups)
Accommodation
Room for rent at Casa Chihuahua or Apartment in Residencial Paraiso
Who we are
We are Julie & David, a Belgian couple passionate about the ocean and the environment. After travelling around the world, we decided to make Bayahibe our home and create our own boutique dive center, Slow Dive, in the Dominican Republic.
We created personalised diving trips and excursions in very small groups, with no rush and focusing on safety and respect for the ocean. As a PADI Eco Center and Green Fins Gold Member, we are also actively involved in local marine conservation and educational projects.
The Dominican Republic is our second home, and we want to share a part of it with you, and make you discover its natural beauty, culture, and people.
Another idea of the Dominican Republic
For many people, the Dominican Republic means all-inclusive resorts, beautiful beaches, and rum. And while we certainly enjoy a good Dominican rum, there is so much more to discover!
We love the Dominican Republic for its people, culture, and incredible natural beauty — from caves, mangroves and mountains to coral reefs and crystal-clear waters. There are so many ways to explore it, from diving and snorkelling to eco-tours and discovering the country beyond the usual tourist paths.
Small like a chihuahua
We want to stay small… like a Chihuahua! In a world increasingly dominated by big companies, we want to remain a small family business — sustainable, ethical and fair — offering quality services at reasonable prices.
We chose to buy a little Dominican-style house in the village rather than an apartment in a closed condominium, because we wanted to live among the local community and be part of Bayahibe’s everyday life. We also want to help preserve the authentic character and architecture of the village. The name Casa Chihuahua comes from our small dogs, whom we rescued and adopted with the help of Collares Rojos.
Eco-friendly
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From reducing single-use plastic to choosing local food and products, we try to make every part of our activities environmentally friendly.
We are one of the few PADI Eco Centers in the Dominican Republic and a Green Fins Gold Member. We work and volunteer closely with FUNDEMAR on coral conservation and restoration, including with the collection and monitoring of coral spawning and the restoration of coral nurseries. We also volunteer in local non-profit projects and offer marine conservation courses and internships.
You can join us during your holidays and take part in some of these projects, adding something more to the country than just money.
In the Top 10 most environmentally friendly dive centers
Slow Dive – Casa Chihuahua is a Green Fins certified Gold Member and is ranked among the Top 10 most environmentally friendly dive centers in the world!
Green Fins provides international recognition to dive centers that actively work to reduce their impact on the marine environment. We are proud to be part of the Green Fins family and to follow its Code of Conduct, helping to protect the coral reefs and marine life we love.