Thinking of the Dominican beaches automatically brings to mind a tropical paradise where time passes more slowly. I am not exaggerating when I say that on this Island, I have seen some of the most beautiful beaches of my life. Bahia de las Aguilas to the south, with that turquoise tone that seems to have just been painted.
The virgin cove Playa Fronton is embraced by a cliff, only accessible by boat. These are some of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic that I visited during my 15-day tour of the Island.
So, are you heading to the blue Caribbean? In this post, I will highlight 12 best beaches in the Dominican Republic that will make you fall in love with this Island. Read on!
Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic
1. Bavaro Beach
I did my research on Bavaro beach heading there, and I can confidently say that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. According to TripAdvisor, Bavaro beach is on the list of the ten best beaches in the world. In addition, it was declared by UNESCO as one of the best beaches in the world.
I loved the picturesque wide coastal strip covered with snow-white coral sand of this beach. The azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean in different shades of deep blue amaze with their crystal clearness. Tall, slender palms create a pleasant, relaxed environment.
In addition, there is a coral reef stretching along the coast, reliably protecting the resort area from large waves. The natural swimming pool favors optimal swimming conditions for both young and adult holidaymakers.
I spend my night in one of in luxury hotels that are erected in the immediate vicinity of Bavaro. I was happy with their services as I had the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of a comfortable infrastructure: sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, and showers.
All kinds of water activities are available to fans of active recreation: riding on catamarans and hydro scooters, diving, and snorkeling. In short, Bavaro is one of the liveliest beaches in Dominica.
2. Rincon Beach
On the second day, I visited El Rincon beach. Another that is placed on several lists as one of the best beaches in Dominica. It really is a piece of paradise. Upon arrival, it was a mix of emotions because the beach is very beautiful, but the weather was ugly, and there was a lot of dirt on the beach.
It is almost 3 kilometers long of white sand and lush vegetation. The dazzling white strip of coral sand is washed by the turquoise waters of the sea bay. The calm waters are great for safe swimming for children, as well as diving and snorkeling.
While Rincon Beach is a beautiful place, it is very sparsely populated. I stayed there for over 3 hours, admiring its beauty. I didn’t feel like leaving, but I had to because the weather was getting worse.
Still, you can have a drink in some of the bars that are located in the surroundings. On a good day, they provide vacationers with sun loungers and sun umbrellas.
3. Bahia de Las Aguilas
A visit to the amazing Bahia de Las Aguilas, also known as the Bay of Eagles, left me with an indelible impression. This beach, over five kilometers long, has preserved its pristine beauty and purity.
Protected as part of Jaragua National Park, it has white sand and crystalline waters of an intense turquoise color, surrounded by giant rocks, converting the landscape into an impressive piece of paradise. I enjoyed endless bathing in the calm emerald waters while enjoying the extraordinary silence. I just fell in love with this authentic and wild place.
By the way, this bay contains some of the best-preserved reefs in the country and the largest number of hawksbill turtles in the Caribbean, making it the perfect destination for diving and snorkeling.
4. Beach on Catalina Island
Just a few kilometers south of La Romana, I found this beauty of white sands and crystal clear turquoise sea.
When arriving at Catalina Island, an entrance fee must be paid as a collaboration for the maintenance of this natural park. The Island has a little less than 15 square kilometers. It is ideal for spending the day, and you can do the tour with different agencies.
Personally, I recommend not waiting until the last minute to book the tour. If you show up at your hotel or in the surroundings and ask for prices to visit the Island, the price will surely be close to twice what you can book in advance online.
On one occasion, I asked the hotel for the price of Isla Saona, and they charged me $100/person. The same services contracted online, I got $62/person. And I think that this usually applies to everything.
Swimming off the coast of Catalina Island is an incomparable pleasure, because thanks to the coral reef that surrounds the Island, there are practically no waves here. Without a doubt, Isla Catalina is an excellent option to enjoy a full day of activities, sea, beaches, sun. I recommend you visit it.
5. Playa Salinas Beach
Just an hour’s drive from the Capital, Santo Domingo, I found another gem of the southern region. With navy blue waters, small waves, and strong wind, this beach is perfect for those who prefer calmer waters or for kite surfers.
But the great compliment that I liked most was the surroundings. Just ten minutes from the sea, I found a surprising landscape of and dunes that rise up to 35 meters, and that, in a few moments, took me from the Caribbean to the desert. These are the Bani dunes, a protected area located in the village of Las Calderas.
Furthermore, before reaching the heart of the village, I suggest visiting the famous Bani salt flats and discover how sea salt is made.
6. Playa Grande
I had not gone to the beach for four days, and I told my friends that I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, from the options closest to the Capital. And among three options on the Atlantic Ocean, I decided on Playa Grande in Rio San Juan. A couple of friends also on the same wavelength ended up cheering me on the same.
I was marveled at the colors, transparency, and depth of the water, of the sand, and the waves that are neither too constant nor too big to disturb nor too peaceful that they don’t allow to play.
This beach has all the amenities and services you need to spend an entire day here: several kiosks with food and drinks, sun lounger and umbrella rental, snorkeling equipment rental, a shop where you can buy sunscreen, towels, and some souvenirs.
There are times of the year when it becomes world-famous for its big waves, and it becomes the scene of intense water sports. A boutique hotel shares space on the beach, a very good option for those who want to spend the night or a few days like royalty. I think this is one of the best beaches that you must visit when in this country.
7. Las Galeras Beach
My next stop was at Las Galeras, which is located next to the charming village of the same name. I enjoyed this beautiful beach sunbathing while sipping refreshing cocktails.
The entire coastal area of Las Galeras is decorated with coconut trees, and the local shallow waters shimmer in various shades of greenish-blue. It will be difficult to find something similar on the northern coast of the Island.
There are several restaurants and hotels on the beach, so you can spend the whole day here or even stay for a few days. Undoubtedly, if you want to enjoy your holidays in contact with the nature of the Dominican Republic, then Las Galeras beach is the perfect place to do so.
I also advise you to visit the charming little town of Las Galeras, which, without exaggeration, is a little-known treasure of the Dominican Republic.
8. Cayo Levantado
The small island of Cayo Levantado is very popular and one of the leaders in the ranking of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.
I took a small taxi boat that departed from Samana every day that take visitors to this small island characterized by its brilliant white sand, crystal clear waters, and beautiful coral reefs. It is an excellent excursion to spend the day swimming, sunbathing, sailing in a kayak, or doing stand-up paddle.
The developed infrastructure offers guests of Cayo Levantado a first-class vacation. There are restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops on the shore. In addition, the beach area is equipped with all the necessary amenities for visitors: sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, and showers. Cayo Levantado is ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday on a beautiful beach.
9. Macau Beach
The highlight of the southeastern part of the territory of the Dominican Republic is the Macau beach. This is a marvelous uncrowded place where every tourist can get real pleasure.
This beach is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is one of the few beaches that boasts unspoiled nature, despite excellent transport accessibility. Secondly, Macau, unlike many others, is not protected by coral reefs. This means that the waves of the open ocean cascade unhindered onto the coast. The waves sometimes rise several meters and attract surfers of all skill levels.
The beach itself has been divided into two zones, for swimming and for surfing. A part of the beach is protected by a rock from waves and underwater currents, so nothing will disturb the lovers of calm rest and a quiet sea in Macau Bay. This is an ideal place for a romantic getaway, gorgeous photoshoots, and even a real wedding ceremony.
10. Boca Chica Beach
I was attracted to this beach’s amazing coastline. It is located in a picturesque bay surrounded by tropical vegetation. The length of the beach area is more than two kilometers. The coastline is covered with white velvet sand, which contrasts dramatically against the backdrop of lush palm trees with bright green leaves.
Boca Chica is like a huge pool. The emerald hue of the natural lagoon of the Caribbean Sea is distinguished by its special calmness and shallow waters.
This is facilitated by the coral reef, which forms a natural breakwater near the coast. The absence of high destructive waves makes Boca Chica an ideal place for families with children, who can safely frolic in the warm turquoise bay.
The seabed is covered with fine sand, pleasant to the touch. Some of the water activity I had the opportunity to enjoy was canoeing, jet skiing, kayaking, as well as order fishing.
Although I did not snorkel, the underwater world of the resort amazes me with its diverse world of marine fauna.
11. Dominicus Beach
The resort area of La Romana is home to one of the best beaches in the Dominican: Dominicus. It became the first coastal strip of the republic to be marked with the prestigious international Blue Flag award for the pristine cleanliness of the territory, comfort, and safety.
I was mesmerized by the amazingly picturesque natural landscape: a long snow-white sandy strip, a grove of tropical palms, and an aquamarine bay of the Caribbean Sea. The beach area is divided between hotel complexes and public areas where local residents relax.
I realized that Dominicus is popular with swimmers. If you love diving, you can enjoy a variety of exotic underwater inhabitants and a sunken cargo ship. Bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops are at your disposal. The beach is equipped only with sun loungers and sun umbrellas.
12. Kite Beach
When it comes to water sports, I can say that this beach is one of the most widely known in the entire Caribbean. It is considered the best kitesurfing destination and is also popular with windsurfing enthusiasts.
It is here that the annual Master of the Ocean Aquatics Championship is held, which includes competitions in various types of surfing. The championship is held almost annually at the end of February.
I loved the atmosphere on the beach, which was very friendly. If you are interested in taking kitesurfing lessons, you can do that at local sports schools.