The Dominican Republic has over 200 miles of spectacular beaches along the coastline of the island that stretches for over 800 miles. To list the top 10 beaches is indeed a daunting task, and surely a matter of taste, as they are as diverse as the geological makeup of the interior, and each has its own style, attractions, and beauty. Nevertheless we will try, and beg forgiveness if we have neglected one of your favourites.

Starting from the southeast coast and moving around to the north coast of the country, our choices are:

Punta Cana and Bavaro

The largest tourist destination in the country boasts over 20 miles (32 km.) of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Powdery sugar white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, fringed by a multitude of swaying coconut palms describes this spectacular beach that stretches from Bavaro to Punta Cana to Macao. Unfortunately access to many of the spots along this coastline are blocked by the all-inclusive resorts that have built up over the past years, and each resort has laid claim to its private strip of beach.

Most visitors arrive by charter flights from around the world, however it is easy to drive there along the Las Americas Highway out of Santo Domingo to Higuey, then east from Higuey to the Bavaro turnoff. Road signs are clearly marked.  All variety of watersports are available to hire - sailing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, canoes, waterbikes and parasailing.

Soana Island

Excursions to the island are available from all the resorts or you can arrange your own directly from the beach at Bayahibe. It is about a one hour sail by catamaran to reach the island and a shorter trip back by speedboat. Saona is absolutely beautiful, it is truly a “paradise” island! Again, crystal clear turquoise waters, soft white sand and swaying palms await. The island is a protected park in the Dominican Republic with only a small fishing village inhabiting the territory and further development prohibited. 

If you plan to get there on your own, just follow the Las Americas Highway out of Santo Domingo until you pass through the city of La Romana. Drive for about another half hour till you see the roadsigns for Bayahibe. It is well marked. There are no active watersports from the island itself, although the surrounding area is a well known scuba diving destination. Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine named Isla Saona as one of the Caribbean’s Eight Dream Beaches.

Boca Chica Beach

Driving east out of Santo Domingo on the Las Americas Highway will bring you to the seaside town of Boca Chica. There are a few all-inclusive hotels along the beach but also access is easy to walk in off the main street for those not staying in the resorts. The beach is a very wide expanse of soft white sand and beautiful clear turquoise waters. It is very shallow and great for kids as you can walk out forever it seems before reaching deeper waters. Many beachfront bars and restaurants serving good food and cold drinks at reasonable prices! Deep sea fishing is popular here and you can chose to hire one of the many boats that are anchored along the pier. Other smaller watersports are available from the resorts such as waterbikes, hobbycats and small kayaks. cuba diving trips can also be arranged from beach vendors or through the watersports departments at the resorts.

Bahia de Las Aguilas

Situated in within Parque Nacional Jaragua in the province of Pedernales, southwest corner of the Dominican Republic, this beach, which translates to Eagle Bay, is one of the few unspoiled virgin beaches left on the island. It is absolutely stunning in its beauty and serene calmness - the sea runs the gamut of Caribbean blues, greens, turquoises and all shades in between. A white sandy beach contrasting with the sea and surrounding cliffs and rugged landscape is a photographer’s dream.

Its remoteness is one of the reasons that, up till now, it has remained untouched by tourism, however that will soon change with the up and coming development of the region. Driving from Santo Domingo you take highway 2 to the west passing through the towns of San Cristobal, Bani, Azua, and Barahona. Eventually it changes to highway 44 and will take you along the coast past Enriquillo and Oveido, then crossing the peninsula on the way to Pedernales. It is about 20 miles past Oveido to the turnoff for Parque Nacional Jaragua and eventually to a small fishing village of La Cueva. From here you can rent a little boat from one of the fishermen who will take you to Bahia de las Aguilas. This is a very long day but well worth the trip. And the only footprints in the sand will be yours!

Punta Rucia

Another out-of-the-way beautiful beaches on the north of the Dominican Republic, Punta Rucia is a very small fishing village, population around 150, set on a beautiful white sand stretch of beach with clear turquoise waters.  It is now popular as a dive and snorkel area due to Paradise Island, which is a small spit of sand surrounded by a spectacular reef, a 40 minute boat ride from shore.  There is a couple of small seafood restaurants and one larger one that caters to the tourists from the many excursions that are sold from the resorts on the north coast to this area, but it is worth it to take the time to explore on your own.

You can book your own snorkel trip to the island right from the beach. There is also an enormous area of mangroves that is very interesting and boats are available for hire to explore that area.  Driving west from Puerto Plata on the main highway, and just pass by the town of Imbert there is a roadsign on the right to the town of Guananico.  It is a large highway sign and easy to spot.  This is a beautiful paved road that takes you through many coffee and cacao plantations, very lush and green and hilly.  Once in Guananico you will see a sign directing you to Punta Rucia.  The road is gravel but in fairly good condition.  It is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Puerto Plata.

Sosua Beach

One of the most famous beaches on the north coast, the bay of Sosua divides the town in two, the older section of Los Charamicos and the newer tourist side of Sosua known as El Batey.  Golden sand beach and crystal clear turquoise water with a great snorkeling reef right smack in the middle of the bay.  Backing the beach are boundless bars, restaurants, gift shops, scuba diving outfits, and snorkel rentals.  Also glass bottom boat trips and fishing trips can be booked right from the beach.  Sosua is a very popular dive spot and excursions are sold from all the resorts, along with catamaran and snorkeling trips. Located right on the main highway going east from Puerto Plata, and only 10 minutes east from Puerto Plata International Airport.

Cabarete Beach

This is one of the top ten windsurfing and kiteboarding beaches in the world and hosts many international competitions.  A wide beach that stretches for a couple of miles along the coast, with golden sand and blue waters, it is a very pretty beach to sit and watch the hundreds of colourful kites and windsurf sails out in the bay.

There is a myriad of bars and restaurants right on the sand so you can eat and drink till your heart’s content, and so beautiful at night when they’re all lit up.  Many guest houses, beach houses, small hotels, and a few all-inclusive resorts also line the strip.  This is not a snorkeling beach so the only rentals available are either windsurf or kiteboard equipment.  Cabarete is on the main highway east of Puerto Plata and just a short 10 minute drive from Sosua.

Playa Grande

Conde Nast Travel Magazine ranks Playa Grande one of the ten best beaches in the world.  Soft honey-coloured sand and clear turquoise waters with lots of palms to shade you while sipping a refreshing pina colada made right in the pineapple!  Now that’s paradise!  Depending on the time of year, this beautiful stretch of beach can lull you with calm tranquil water or toss you around in huge surfing waves.  When the surf’s up however there can be a strong undertow, so take heed.  The beach is 1-1/2 miles long with an all-inclusive resort at one end bordered by the famous Robert Trent Jones Playa Grande Golf Course.  At the opposite end of the beach you can treat yourself to a fresh fish or lobster lunch from one of the many food vendors that are located to the side of the parking area.  There are no watersports for hire here but you will see surfers when the ocean kicks up.  It is a little over one hour’s drive east from Puerto Plata on the main highway, and just past the town of Rio San Juan you will see a road sign directing you to the right turnoff to the beach.

Playa Bonita

This beach is an absolute dream, eight miles of coconut palms, fine white sand and crystal clear water in all shades of turquoise and aquas.  It is a very relaxing and quiet beach and stunningly gorgeous. There are a few small beachfront hotels and guest houses and a selection of bars and restaurants. Eating seafood there is a must, right from the ocean to your plate!  Playa Bonita is located on the north coast of the Samana peninsula, just before you reach the town of Las Terranas.  It is about a 3 hour drive east from Puerto Plata on the main highway (actually there IS only one highway).  Once you reach the town of Sanchez there is a road sign at the Texaco station that directs you to the left to Las Terranas.  This is also a paved road in fairly good condition and will take you over the mountains to the north of the peninsula, about a half hour drive.  This area of the Dominican Republic is extremely lush and beautiful and the views will absolutely take your breath away!  Just as you enter the town of Las Terranas there is a road sign with an arrow to the left that directs you to Playa Bonita.  It is a sand road and usually in good condition unless there has been a lot of rain, but even then it is passable in any type of vehicle. There are no watersports on this beach to get in the way of your view (thank you thank you!).  Scuba diving and snorkeling trips can be arranged to the outer reefs and to Las Ballenas (the Whales) which is a small group of islands off the coast (about 15-20  minutes by boat

Playa Rincon

Located in the Samana peninsula, this is another Conde Nast Traveler favourite as one of the world’s best beaches.  Approximately 2 miles long, with fine white sand and pristine clear turquoise waters, and backed by coconut palm filled mountains and hills, it is postcard picture perfect! There are a number of small reefs within swimming distance from shore that are good for snorkeling and also some very fine food vendors that serve delicious fresh fish and lobster.  Some will also rent beach chairs.  At one end of the beach there is a clear freshwater lagoon that’s refreshing for rinsing away the salt and sand.  You can drive to Playa Rincon though a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.  Keep on the highway through the town of Samana east towards Las Galeras and watch for a roadsign at a fork in the road.  It’s about a 10 minute drive once you are through Samana and it is not a very big sign so be on your toes!  Once you’ve made the turn the road deteriorates pretty quickly and if there’s been a lot of rain may not be passable in some spots.  The easiest way to reach Playa Rincon is by boat.  Just drive all the way to Las Galeras – the highway ends at the beach, and there you will find various boats for hire that will take you to Playa Rincon.