Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic

By Dave Pipitone

Are there only tiny and isolated beaches in the Dominican Republic?

Consider this. The entire coastline of Dominican Republic measures more than 300 miles (or 1,288 kilometers) of beach sand.

When you take your next Caribbean vacation, imagine yourself with your family or friends sun tanning on white sand beaches as the crystal blue water laps at your feet.

If fact, if you wanted to explore one-fourth of the beaches, it would take much more than one encounter in this Caribbean heaven to walk the sands and take in the sweet sun tanning spots.

And, in case you wondered, the island's government watches the development activity closely so that the beach front is protected and the natural beauty and allure of the beaches is preserved.

Since Haiti borders the west side of the Dominican Republic, you can find most of the beaches on the north and south sides of the island.

The main beach areas of the north side include Monte Christi, Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan, Cabrera, Samana and Miches on the east. The east side of the island contains many first-class resorts built right on the beaches.

On the northern side of the island, strong trade winds blows in from the Caribbean Ocean. The windy climate creates an ideal beach for an action-packed Caribbean vacation that includes kiteboarding, surfing, and windsurfing.

Just look at the beach at Playa Cabarate, located on the north side of the island near Puerto Plata. This beach features constant wind speeds of 15-20 knots, driving large waves toward shore and making this area a significant part of the world-class windsurfing circuit. Staying at one of the Dominican Republic resorts offers a care-free way to take in the surfing scene.

Another beach on the north coast is Playa Grande, located near the towns of Rio San Juan and Cabrera. The waterfront on this beach is undergoing real estate development-- so get there soon to experience it while it is still fresh.

You can enter the beach at the public entrance. The beach is located in a cove that is surrounded by tall cliffs on either sides. The water is still in summer which makes for excellent swimming and lounging on the beach. Make sure to visit this beach on a weekday, since the local crowds fill the beach on Sunday.

The Playa Sosua beach offers excellent snorkeling with a pretty above-water view of mountains, cliffs and miles of coastline in the background. The best spots to snorkel are off-shore, but snorkeling from the beach can be good.

Punta Cana-Bávaro is on the east side of the island. Punta Cana is 20 miles long and offers the farthest stretch of white sand beaches in the Caribbean. Coconut palm trees tower above the beach and luxurious resorts line its boundaries.

On the east side of the island, many beaches are accessible to the public. Just be aware that undeveloped beaches can have strong undertow and dangerous currents.

The beaches on the south side of the island are found in several more places, especially in Santo Domingo, San Cristobal and several other places.

If you are an adventurer or a sun lover, the beaches in the Dominican Republic are for you. People from all over the world travel here to to improve diving skills or to learn windsurfing.

Others simply want to spend the day sunning on a lounge and sipping a tropical drink. If you want the ultimate beach experience, consider the Dominican Republic for your next Caribbean vacation.

Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic

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