Catalina Island, also called Ikiita Island (also called by the indigenous locals such as Toeya), is an island that is located in the Caribbean Sea southeast of the province LaRomana.

This island has an area of 9.6 square kilometers and is uninhabited. Has various natural beauties, such as its paradisiacal beaches and white sands, also a wall of corals of the most extensive in the country.

History

The island was baptized «Santa Catalina» by Christopher Columbus, who visited it in May 1494.

William Kidd’s Quedagh Merchant

On December 13, 2007, the shipwreck of a 17th-century merchant vessel was found at a depth of three meters roughly 70 meters off of the island.

It has since been identified as the pirate Captain William Kidd‘s 1699 Quedagh Merchant, also known as the Cara Merchant, according to Kidd’s original testimony during his trial prior to his hanging on May 23, 1701.

A team of researchers from Indiana University led by Charles Beeker, Director of the Office of Underwater Science at Indiana University.

First discovered the wreckage in 2007 and have since established a Marine Protected Area in an attempt to preserve both the archaeological remains of the shipwreck and its surrounding reef ecosystem.

Living Museums in the Sea is a program started by Charles Beeker with the goal of protecting submerged cultural and biological resources around the world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bring bathing clothes
• Clothes to change
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cap
• Sun Glasses
• Bring money
• Always follow the excursion program