Bayahíbe

Saona Island (Cotubanamá National Park)

The paradisiacal island par excellence, with its natural pool of starfish, a boat ride away.

Saona Island is the great star of the excursions from Bayahíbe, which is its most natural departure port. It's an unspoiled island, without large buildings, protected within Cotubanamá National Park, with beaches of dazzling white sand, coconut palms and turquoise waters that look like they came out of a painting. It is, for many, the very image of the Caribbean. The classic full-day trip combines the boat ride —out by speedboat and/or back by catamaran with music and open bar— with a star stop: the Natural Pool, a sandbank in the middle of the sea where the water reaches your waist and where you traditionally see starfish (which, for conservation, must not be taken out of the water). A buffet lunch on the island and free time on its beaches, like the idyllic Canto de la Playa, are usually included. Because it leaves directly from Bayahíbe, the boat ride is shorter and more direct than from Punta Cana, which leaves more time to enjoy the island. It's an unforgettable day and the area's must-do excursion. Getting there: from the Bayahíbe pier, with an organized excursion. Best time: days with good weather and calm seas (year-round). Tips: biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, water and small cash. Respect the starfish (don't take them out of the water) and choose operators who are responsible toward the national park.

ℹ️ Distance: Off Bayahíbe; departure from the town's pier · Best time to go: Days with good weather and calm seas (year-round) · Entry: US$ 60–90 per person, full day with lunch and drinks (market range, verified July 2026); leaving directly from the Bayahíbe pier is usually a bit cheaper than from Punta Cana · Duration: Full day

Catalina Island

A small protected island with unspoiled beaches and one of the best reefs for snorkeling and diving.

Catalina Island is the other great excursion from Bayahíbe, off the La Romana coast. It's a small uninhabited, protected island, with white-sand beaches, coconut palms and a transparent sea, less crowded than Saona and highly valued for its marine setting. It's ideal for a day of beach, snorkeling and diving. What sets Catalina apart is its reef: the so-called 'The Wall', a coral wall that drops to depth and is one of the country's most famous dive sites, with abundant marine life. The 'The Aquarium' area, shallower (2–5 meters), is perfect for snorkeling and seeing colorful fish, sea urchins, starfish and rays without needing to dive. The typical excursion combines the boat ride from Bayahíbe with beach time, snorkeling and, for divers, dives on its reefs. It usually includes a buffet lunch on the beach. It's a somewhat quieter and more 'marine' plan than Saona, highly recommended for lovers of the seabed. Getting there: from Bayahíbe or La Romana, with an excursion or dive outing. Best time: days with good weather, calm seas and good visibility. Tips: biodegradable sunscreen, snorkeling gear (usually provided) and respect for the corals (don't touch them). To dive 'The Wall', a certain level is required; check with the center.

ℹ️ Distance: Off La Romana; departure from Bayahíbe or La Romana · Best time to go: Days with good weather, calm seas and good visibility · Entry: US$ 89–145 per person (snorkeling, full day with lunch, drinks and gear; market range, verified July 2026); diving version (2 dives) from US$ 100–140 not including full gear · Duration: Full day

Diving on the reefs and wrecks (the scuba capital)

Bayahíbe is the country's great diving base, with reefs, walls, caves and sunken ships.

Bayahíbe is considered the diving capital of the Dominican Republic, thanks to its proximity to a remarkable variety of dive sites in Cotubanamá National Park and its surroundings. There are coral reefs, walls (like Catalina's 'The Wall'), underwater caves, coral gardens and, above all, several wrecks (sunken ships) that have become artificial reefs full of life. Among the area's famous wrecks are the Saint George, a cargo ship intentionally sunk to create a dive site, and the Atlantic Princess, accessible for different levels. The marine fauna includes colorful tropical fish, moray eels, lobsters, rays and, occasionally, turtles. Visibility is usually good and the waters warm year-round. The town concentrates several professional dive centers (Dressel Divers, Scubafun, Coral Point Diving, ScubaCaribe, Go Dive Bayahibe, all PADI-certified) offering everything from discovery dives (introductory dives with an instructor) and certification courses to dives for advanced divers. It's one of the best places in the Caribbean to learn to dive or add dives at a good price. Getting there: with the dive centers in the town of Bayahíbe itself, which include equipment and the boat outing. Best time: days with calm seas and good visibility (year-round). Tips: choose centers with good references and PADI/SSI certification; respect the corals and wildlife; always follow the instructor. To get certified, allow several days.

ℹ️ Distance: Dive sites near Bayahíbe, inside and outside the national park · Best time to go: Days with calm seas and good visibility (year-round) · Entry: Discovery dive (Discover Scuba) from US$ 70–90; one dive with full gear US$ 50–70; PADI Open Water course (3 days, with gear) US$ 350–450 (Bayahíbe dive center prices, verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day (several days for courses)

The town of Bayahíbe and its pier

The charm of the old fishing village, with colorful houses, a pier and a Caribbean atmosphere.

The town of Bayahíbe itself is one of its attractions. Despite the tourist development, it keeps the feel of a Caribbean fishing village: colorful houses, a picturesque pier where the excursion boats and catamarans moor, a small church and quiet streets where locals, divers and travelers mingle. Strolling through the town, watching the boats leave and arrive, having a drink by the sea or eating fresh fish at one of its restaurants is part of Bayahíbe's charm. The atmosphere is relaxed and human-scaled, very different from that of the big complexes of Punta Cana, which endears it to those seeking a more authentic Caribbean. From the town there's also access to nearby beaches, such as Bayahíbe Beach and Dominicus, and to trails that go into Cotubanamá National Park. At sunset, the sky over the pier and the sea offers beautiful scenes. Getting there: the town is the center of everything; it's walkable. Best time: sunset for the best light; mornings to see the pier activity. Tips: ideal to combine with the excursions (which leave from here). Watch your belongings as in any tourist area and enjoy the calm pace.

ℹ️ Distance: Center of the destination; walkable · Best time to go: Sunset (best light); mornings for the pier activity · Entry: Free (walking around the town) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Playa Dominicus and nearby beaches

One of the best beaches in the country, of white sand and calm waters, with a Blue Flag.

Very close to Bayahíbe lies Playa Dominicus (in the Dominicus Americanus area), considered one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic and once distinguished with the international Blue Flag certification for its quality. It's a beach of fine white sand, coconut palms and shallow, very calm turquoise waters, ideal for families and for swimming peacefully. Along the beach there are some resorts, but also public stretches where you can enjoy it freely, rent loungers and eat at beach bars. It's a good place to spend a beach day when not going on an excursion, with a quieter atmosphere than the big beaches of Punta Cana. Bayahíbe Beach itself, next to the town, and other nearby coves complete the area's coastal offering. The combination of calm beaches, a charming town and paradisiacal islands a boat ride away makes this one of the most complete areas of the Dominican Caribbean. Getting there: a short distance from Bayahíbe, by taxi, car or on foot depending on the stretch. Best time: any sunny day; mornings are quieter. Tips: sunscreen, hydration and watch your belongings. Pairs perfectly with a day without excursions, to rest between so many outings.

ℹ️ Distance: Next to Bayahíbe (Dominicus area); on foot, taxi or car · Best time to go: Sunny days; mornings quieter · Entry: Free (public beach; stretches in front of resorts are organized); lounger/umbrella on the public stretch US$ 5–10/day · Duration: Half a day or more

Altos de Chavón and the Chavón River (La Romana)

The replica Mediterranean village above the river from the movies, a short distance from Bayahíbe.

A short distance from Bayahíbe, in La Romana, is Altos de Chavón, a recreation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village built in stone in the early 1980s, on a cliff overlooking the Chavón River. With its cobbled streets, its stone houses, its artists' workshops, its church and its Greek-style amphitheater (where great music figures have performed), it's one of the most photogenic corners of the country. The Chavón River, which winds at its feet between walls of tropical vegetation, was the setting for famous films such as 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Rambo'. You can take boat trips along its waters, surrounded by mangroves and jungle, in a setting of great beauty that contrasts with the open beaches of the coast. The area is part of the Casa de Campo complex, one of the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean. It's a cultural and scenic excursion that complements the beach-and-island days of Bayahíbe very well. Getting there: a short distance from Bayahíbe, in La Romana; with an excursion, by taxi or car. Best time: morning or sunset, with good light for photos. Tips: comfortable shoes for the cobblestones; pairs very well with the boat trip on the Chavón River. Check the amphitheater's schedule and events.

ℹ️ Distance: La Romana, a short distance from Bayahíbe (excursion, taxi or car) · Best time to go: Morning or sunset (good light) · Entry: Approx. US$ 25–50 per adult (waived if you book a table at a restaurant there; Casa de Campo guests pay less; verified July 2026); boat trip on the Chavón River from US$ 65–110 separately (half day to full day) · Duration: Half a day