The Dominican Republic is well known for its beautiful tropical beaches and crystal clear waters.
With it’s gorgeous year round climate and golden sandy beaches, it’s no wonder that the Dominican is the most popular tourist destination within the Caribbean.
It’s wonderfully diverse landscape includes the Caribbeans tallest mountain peak (Pico Duarte), and also it’s largest lake (Lake Enriquillo).
For ocean lovers, a trip to the Dominican wouldn’t be complete without snorkeling or scuba diving at one of it’s many idyllic beaches and reefs.
The best snorkeling in the Dominican is via boat trip to explore one of the many beautiful coral reefs that are located just off shore. But, you don’t have to leave the island in order to experience its stunning marine life.
In this guide we’ll break down the absolute best places for snorkeling in the Dominican Republic – both for those looking to explore nearby, and for those willing to venture a little farther out.
Check it out!
Best Snorkeling On The North Coast/Atlantic Side
The Atlantic Coastal side is home to a vast array of snorkel spots.
Snorkeling in the Dominican Republic along the northern coast is some of the very best on the Island.
The snorkel spots here vary from peaceful and serene bays, coral reefs accessed right off of pristine sand beaches, or boat tours to miniature island paradises.
Here are some of the best snorkeling spots:
Sosua
Playa Sosua is approximately 20 minutes East of Puerto Plata.
Set in a sheltered crescent shaped bay, Playa Sousa is the perfect spot to spend an entire day, with plenty of activities in the area.
The beautiful golden sands here slope gently into the vibrantly colored turquoise ocean, with a healthy reef that’s located just 100 meters from the shore.
The reef is full of plenty of tropical marine life, and is one of the best snorkeling sites which doesn’t involve having to leave the island.
Playa Sousa is well renowned for its restaurants, bars, shopping and its spectacular sunsets. It’s a really popular area with residents at night and even more so on the weekends with tourists.
Also located within the same bay lies Playa Alicia, which is equally as beautiful as Playa Sousa (and a little less crowded).
Cayo Arena [Paradise Island]
Cayo Arena, also referred to as Paradise Island is a one of the best places for snorkeling in the Dominican Republic.
There’s a very good reason this little island of sand is known as Paradise Island. You don’t earn a nickname like that for nothing after all!
This tiny little island sandbar is surrounded by crystal clear shallow waters all around, with a reef not much further far off shore.
The reef offers some deeper snorkeling and the ability to explore the many fish that inhabit this peaceful area.
There are a few beach huts here for shade, but not much else. A day trip to Paradise Island is really all about relaxation, swimming and snorkeling!
In order to get to Cayo Arena it’s just a short boat ride (around 20 minutes), which leaves from Punta Rucia, or you can take a snorkel tour that departs from Puerto Plata.
Playa Fronton
Playa Fronton is an idyllic and secluded beach with crystal clear blue waters.
The remote shores of Playa Fronton can be reached via boat from Las Galeras. The boat ride between Las Galeras and Playa Fronton can get quite bumpy so is something to be aware of if you suffer with motion sickness!
You can also reach this beach by hiking to it. The hike to this remote beach is approximately one hour but it’s a really scenic journey through the jungle.
Once you reach the beach, it is quite rocky in some places so bringing your water shoes would be a good idea.
The beach is lined by palm trees and you will have a stunning backdrop of the steep cliffs behind them. The dramatic views are truly breathtaking and the views under the waves are pretty good too!
The coral isn’t the vibrant healthy coral reef it once was, but there is still a decent amount of sea life to be seen here. This also includes a fair few sea urchins – So all the more reason to wear those water shoes!
There’s plenty of shade among the coconut groves along the shore, and there is a also a beach side restaurant located here.
Fun fact! Pirates of the Caribbean and the tv show ‘Survivor‘ have both used this stunning location for filming!
Playa Rincon
Playa Rincon has previously been named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
But as well as being one of the most beautiful beaches, Playa Rincon also has some of the best snorkeling in the Dominican Republic too.
This 3 mile (5km) stretch of powdery white sand, lush green coconut trees and bright turquoise waters is a must visit!
There’s plenty of fun to be had at this pristine beach too. One side of the beach provides the perfect setting for peaceful snorkeling, being that it is well sheltered, and the waters are calm.
And the other side provides a bit more action and the opportunity for bodysurfing amongst the small waves.
With plenty of places to eat right along the beach front, and picnic tables along the beach shaded by coconut trees. Playa Rincon is the perfect location to spend the day.
Silver Bank
Silver Bank is one of the most iconic snorkel spots in the world, and offers a once in a life time experience.
Silver bank, which is located in the Caribbean sea about 80 miles from the Dominican Republic is one of the only places in the world where you can go snorkeling with Humpback Whales.
Over the course of January to April each year as many as about 3000 north Atlantic humpback whales will migrate to these warmer waters in order to gather, mate and give birth.
This important breeding zone is a marine mammal sanctuary and their breeding grounds are highly protected.
As such, the amount of vessels that may visit the area is limited, and the amount of visitors also limited to only 60 per week. This serves to protect the whales, but also means that the area will never be overcrowded.
Scuba diving is also prohibited here for the general public, so snorkeling will be your only option.
The waters at Silver Bank are fairly shallow, with an average depth of around 30 meters to around 18 meters in shallower areas.
Snorkeling at Silver Bank is only via liveaboard, which depart from Punta Plata. The trips are usually around a week long, and as you can imagine, pretty expensive. But, this will be an interaction unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is home to the longest coral reef in the Dominican Republic.
You would assume because of this that Punta Cana would have some of the best snorkeling in the Dominican Republic, but this is sadly not the case.
But, Punta Cana is the most popular Caribbean tourist spot so we have included it in our list, as no doubt a lot of people that are staying here will still be looking to do some snorkeling in Punta Cana.
Now with all that being said, if you are a novice snorkeler then the options in Punta Cana are actually quite good.
The snorkel sites around Punta Cana generally super easy and beginner friendly – meaning there are little to no currents, the waters are usually nice and shallow, and you may be able to access these areas right from your hotels back doorstep.
Your best options if you are looking to snorkel more colorful and livelier reefs would be to take a boat tour or catamaran trip from Punta Cana to nearby Catalina, or Saona Island.
Cayo Levantado
Cayo Levantado is a tiny island within the Samaná peninsula.
This tiny picture-perfect island tucked away on the south coastline of the peninsula can be accessed by boat tours which depart from Samana.
Also known as Bacardi island, (thanks to a tv commercial that was filmed here), Cayo Levantado is a tiny slice of heaven, with extremely clear waters and some good snorkeling which is accessed right from the beach.
Bacardi Island has three beaches in total. The southern part of the island is owned by the Grand Bahia Principe Luxury Resort, where guests will have access to their own private beach.
The west, and north coasts of this small island have public beaches for non hotel guests to enjoy. Each beach is gorgeous and provides the opportunity to see plenty of marine life which reside around the small reefs located just off shore.
Best Snorkeling On The South Coast/Caribbean Side
The Caribbean side of the Dominican Republic offers much more favorable snorkeling conditions, being that that side of the island is more sheltered, and the ocean here much calmer than the North.
These are some of the best places to snorkel on Dominican Republics Caribbean coast:
Saona Island
Saona island is a very popular destination, with snorkeling being a very popular activity amongst those visiting this beautiful little island.
There are many day trips and excursions to choose from which travel to Saona island, including party boats, catamarans and private boat tours.
Another of the Dominican Republics famed beaches, with scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean and The Blue Lagoon having both been filmed here, Saona has a true tropical dessert island vibe.
The snorkeling here is excellent and will suit those of all abilities due to its peaceful and serene waters
The shallow reefs here are full of plenty of tropical fish and there are also lots of starfish which inhabit this area, and why Saona is also known as Starfish Island.
Isla Catalina
Catalina island is located about 1.5 miles offshore from the mainland, near La Romana.
Generally considered one of, or perhaps even the best Dominican Republic snorkeling spots for it’s amazing clear water, gorgeous golden sands, and decent amount of marine life.
Catalina island is reached via boat, and there are many different operators offering day trips and excursions to this beautiful island. Tour operators will also pick you up and drop you off from your hotel.
Drinks and lunch will be included, as will snorkeling equipment (although for the best time we always recommend that people invest in their own snorkel gear!).
As a protected location you can expect to be able to see a healthy and lively amount of marine life here, certainly much more than you will see at most other snorkel spots.
Bayahibe
The small fishing town of Bayahibe is an area sought out by those who love water sports.
There are many snorkel, dive and water sports operators within this area, as it this particular area is home to some of the best snorkeling on the mainland.
Bayahibe has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Dominican Republic. The water is ultra clear and there are little to no currents.
Whilst snorkeling Bayahibe you can expect to see some small coral patches and lots of interesting marine life. It is also one of the jump off points for trips to both Catalina and Saona (starfish) islands.
Why not round out your day at Bayahibe at one of the many restaurants serving the fresh fish caught that same day.
Best Time To Go Snorkeling In The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic enjoys a great climate year round making it a popular tourist destination at any time of year.
It experiences temperatures between 25-28°C year round, and for snorkelers and divers the Dominican offers an inviting sea temperature which rarely ever falls below 27°C.
There are two main seasons in the Dominican Republic. The dry season, which runs from December to April. (This is the peak season so you can obviously expect a few more crowds during this time).
And then there is the wet season, which runs from around May to November. The Dominican Republic sits within the Caribbean Hurricane belt, and the country is usually struck with a major hurricane once every decade or so.
Marine Life In The Dominican Republic
- Humpback Whales (Jan to April)
- Triggerfish
- Angelfish
- Butterflyfish
- Surgeonfish
- Rays
- Eels
- Starfish
- Damselfish
- Goatfish
- Grunt
- Parrotfish
- Scorpionfish
- & more!
Hopefully you found this Dominican Republic snorkeling guide useful!
Check out our other destination guides as well, and if you’re interested in purchasing your own snorkel gear then check out our gear recommendations too!
