8 of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic

According to its tourism slogan, the Dominican Republic “has it all.” It is not exactly an exaggeration either. The island nation is home to eight terrestrial ecosystems and hundreds of kilometers of enviable coastline along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. That’s a lot of beaches to explore.

Thanks to all of that biodiversity, each one of those glorious stretches of sand has a distinct attraction, suited for just about any adventure that tickles your fancy. That might mean surfing sand dunes along a wind-whipped coast, watching a leatherback turtle make its way through azure waters or peacefully soaking up the sun on a patch of sugary white sand. There’s really no wrong answer – just not enough swimsuits.

These eight are among the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.

1. Cayo Levantado

Best for paddleboarding

On the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, the small island retreat of Cayo Levantado is a picturesque paradise sitting off the coast of Samaná. Boat taxis to Cayo Levantado depart regularly from Samaná's port on Avenida Marina; if you're lucky, you might spot a leatherback turtle in these celebrated whale-watching waters.

Two-thirds of the island is owned by a luxury resort, and visitors flock to the other third to swim, sunbathe, paddleboard and listen to bachata in between sips of piña coladas from the colorful bars dotting the public beach.

Planning tip: January to March is prime whale-watching season in Samaná. Humpbacks flock to the warm waters of the Bahía de Samaná for mating and, eventually, birthing baby calves. Several operators launch tours from Samaná. It takes 15–20 minutes to reach the viewing territory – the surf can be quite choppy, so tuck some Dramamine into your bag – and keep your eyes peeled for the whales' telltale water spouts.

2. Playa Bávaro

Best for families

Playa Bávaro is one of the longest stretches of shore in the Caribbean, clocking in with 48km of coastline, and provides beach access for most of the resorts of Punta Cana. Quite a few pockets of the sand are off-limits to non-guests, but from the accessible entrances,families enter to build sand castles, dance to bachata and picnic on the sand. The calm turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and splashing about.

Planning tip: Cortecito and Los Corales beaches offer public access to the Bávaro shores.

3. Playa San Rafael

Best for natural pools

It’s hard to believe, but taking a dip in San Rafael feels more akin to an ice plunge than a warm bath. Here, the Caribbean Sea meets the crisp waters of the San Rafael River, which thunders down in a series of waterfalls from the chilly mountaintops in Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco. The water at the actual beach is much too rough to swim in, but the natural pools that form just where the river meets the sea are perfect for casually sitting around and cooling off on a warm day.

Planning tip: Try some of the coastal Dominican fare from the various food stalls situated around the natural pools. You’ll find fresh-caught fish, fried plantains and rice available for lunch.

4. Playa Encuentro

Best for surfing

Surf’s up at this bohemian little beach spot between the northern towns of Cabarete and Sosúa. To get to the shore, you’ll have to pass through a tropical woodland where vendors in colorful stalls sell souvenirs and snacks. Once you make it past the treeline, the Atlantic Ocean unfolds before you with its rollicking waters. Rows of surfers bob along on the water, waiting for the next wave to take them to shore.

Planning tip: Surf conditions at Playa Encuentro can be rough, so stick to the shallows unless you're an experienced surfer or taking a lesson with a guide – plenty of schools along the shore offer surfing lessons to novices.

5. Bahía de Las Águilas

Best for bliss

Bahía de Las Águilas is a strong contender for the Caribbean's most beautiful beach superlative. It’s tucked into the Parque Nacional Jaragua and requires a boat from Cabo Rojo to reach its 8km-long shore. But it's well worth the effort, as being nestled inside the preserve makes this beach blissfully quiet and stunningly pristine, the sand untouched by waste and the waters crystal clear.

Planning tip: Boats to Bahía de Las Águilas depart from Cabo Rojo at regular intervals and cost about 3200 Dominican pesos. You can opt for a tour that includes a boat ride to the site.

6. Kite Beach

Best for kiteboarding

Near Playa Encuentro, you’ll find a beach dedicated to a different adventure sport. Experienced kiteboarders from around the world flock to Kite Beach to catch powerful gusts of wind that propel them to heart-stopping heights. Simply watching their aerial acrobatics is a good time, but if you get the itch to try for yourself, kiteboarding lessons for beginners are offered by various companies around Cabarete.

Planning tip: The main beach in Cabarete sees a fair share of kitesurfers as well, but the windsurfers are the real show there. Look for them well offshore at the reef line, performing huge high-speed jumps and even end-over-end flips.

7. Playa Frontón

Best for snorkeling and scuba diving

A 20-minute boat trip from the sleepy coastal town of Las Galeras, Playa Frontón feels like an unspoiled paradise. Emerald-green waters lap against a 91m black granite rock formation while towering coconut palms sway in the breeze. The labyrinthine reefs beneath the surface teem with fish and stingrays – the perfect spot to bring your mask and spend a few hours snorkeling (or scuba diving) in Playa Frontón’s warm waters.

Planning tip: Las Galerias is about a 2-hour drive from Las Terrenas, a vibrant town with cafes and restaurants that dish out a variety of international cuisines and some of the best food on the island.

8. Dunas de Bani

Best for sand boarding

The sand dunes in Bani feel like a Saharan oasis – it’s unlike any beach you’ll ever encounter. The sloping dunes crest up to 35m high and are dotted with olive trees, goats and the occasional visitor surfing the sand. After you make it through the 10-minute trek over the sandy hills, you’ll find the rough currents of Bahía de Las Calderas. Desolate and wild, the beach here feels private and untamed. Swimming isn’t advised, but collecting the glossy pieces of quartz tumbling around the shore is.

Planning tip: People often leave wooden planks and boards on the dunes for others to surf on, but you can also pick up a board from one of the shops in the town of Bani.