The beaches
White sand and palms.
Danu Widjajanto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dominican Republic's best-known island, a tropical isle of about 110 square kilometres off the south-east coast and a nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park, with long white-sand beaches lined by coconut palms over clear turquoise water, and forest, salt lagoons and mangroves inland. Only a small fishing village, Mano Juan, with colourful wooden houses and a sea-turtle hatchery, and a naval post at Catuano are on the island, so its beaches have stayed quiet and natural despite the visitors. Trips leave Bayahibe by catamaran and speedboat, usually stopping at the «natural pool», a sandbar in open sea where the water is knee-deep and starfish live, before heading to the island's beach for a day of swimming and rest. The trip takes a full day, and most include lunch. Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not lift starfish or other sea creatures out of the water. Use licensed operators; sea trips are cancelled in rough weather, and the hurricane season runs from June to November. The sun is strong all year, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
White sand and palms.
Knee-deep water.
Fishing village.
Cotubanamá National Park, off the south-east coast
On a day boat trip from Bayahibe, or from Punta Cana with transfer to Bayahibe; most trips include lunch.