8 of the Dominican Republic's very best beaches
Ask people to name a place in the world with great beaches and the chances are that many will plump for the Caribbean. This fabled land of epic, puffy white-sand beaches is an undeniable beach escape star, but it can be hard choosing one destination.
The Dominican Republic* boasts over 1,200 km of coastline, and offers an incredible amount of diversity with shallow stretches for families, exclusive coves for honeymooners to hide away in, and other beaches that offer myriad watersports.
So dig out your swimwear and dust off your beach towels as we set off in search of sun, my fellow beach bummers. Here, we look at some of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.
Getting there: find affordable breaks to the Dominican Republic* with TUI, which offers Caribbean escapes for all budgets.
Playa Boca Chica
For city slickers, the narrow strip of sand that is Playa Boca Chica lies handily close to the capital of Santo Domingo. It's certainly no secret and is often very busy, so don't come here looking for peace and quiet.
A big positive is that, thanks to a sweeping offshore coral reef, it is super shallow so families can wander out for ages and still not risk getting into deep water. It's so shallow that locals refer to it as 'The Pond'! Another plus point is that there are plenty of simple snack bars on hand selling local fish and shellfish.
Playa Dorada
It's time to head north now to the Amber Coast, where beach tourism really first took hold in the Dominican Republic. Playa Dorada is our destination, and it's a stunner, for me the best beach on the Amber Coast, spreading its sandy feet for two miles around a bay.
There are plenty of facilities here to help you make the most of the celebrated sands. There are often decent conditions for a variety of watersports for those looking to do more than sunbathe.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is one of the more exclusive beaches on the island. Think fancy, refined hotels and stalls that serve lobster rather than fried fish. It's perfect for golfers too, with a Robert Trent Jones Snr designed course on hand.
The sands themselves are sprinkled around a mile-long crescent that looks like it has been touched up for a postcard. Once you realise the sands really are that white and the waters really are that blue, you will love it!
Beware, especially with kids, that the waves can be a bit rougher here.
Playa Rincón
Whether Columbus landed here or not, as some local historians say, is something of a moot point; he really should have, as it's gorgeous! It's no surprise that this remote gem often appears in top beaches of the Caribbean* lists.
Plan on a full day for Playa Rincón as getting here is not easy. You will need to catch a boat from Las Galeras or take a 4x4 ride. The starched white sands on the eastern shores of the Samana Peninsula are backed up by swaying coconut trees and high cliffs, making it feel every bit the Caribbean beach idyll.
If you're very lucky, you may spot humpback whales on their migrations from January to March.
Playa Bahoruco
Ok, first up I have to make it clear that this is not a sandy beach. Still with me? I hope so, as there are two big reasons to come to this three-mile-long fine white pebble beach of Playa Bahoruco in Barahona Province in the west of the country.
The first is that the brilliant white pebbles are superb for photographers, who can contrast them against the turquoise waters. The second is that the area offers some of the Dominican Republic's best surf conditions.
Cabarete
Staying on the watersports theme, Cabarete is arguably the windsurfing capital of the Caribbean, a globally renowned oasis for lovers of flying around on a surfboard with a sail tagged on.
It doesn't end there at this sandy oasis, as it also offers kiteboarding, glass-bottom boat tours, kayaking and the thrill of deep-sea fishing.
Après-surf there's an array of chic bars and restaurants to check out in a resort that has a distinctly European and multicultural vibe thanks to the large expat community.
Cayo Levantado
If you're old enough to remember the Bacardi rum adverts, then this idyllic escape may seem familiar, as it starred on the screen.
The small island of Cayo Levantado in Samana Bay is also popular with honeymooners as it feels like a real getaway, as you have to take a romantic boat trip to get out here. There are three strips of sand to experience. From January through to March you can look out for humpback whales on their annual migrations.
Punta Cana
Ok, so I'm slightly cheating again here and including a resort area with a trio of beaches. We're finishing up with what is the Dominican Republic's most popular beach resort hub; I wanted to show you some great alternatives before the most popular.
It is easy to see why Punta Cana* is so renowned with 20 miles of sweeping shoreline dotted with great beaches.
Backing up the sands and sea are renowned golf courses and a smorgasbord of tourist facilities. A whopping two-thirds of all visitors to the Dominican Republic are said to come here. Three of my favourite beaches in the whole country are here: Playa Macao, Playa Juanillo and Playa Cabeza de Toro.
Climate in the Dominican Republic
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  28 |
28 |
29 |
 30 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
29 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  16 |
 12 |
12 |
11 |
 13 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
| Sea temperature °C |  26 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
27 |
 28 |
28 |
28 |
29 |
29 |
28 |
27 |
The above guide shows the climate in Punta Cana. Find out more about conditions across the island in our complete guide to the climate in the Dominican Republic.
Ready to experience these beautiful beaches? Check out the latest offers on holidays with TUI, which departs for resorts across the island nation.
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