fishing sailboat

by Mike Virgintino,

The Dominican Republic is known for its beaches, water sports, golf and eco adventure. Now it is more attractive to those who enjoy sailing. From leisure to adventure activities, from luxury to laid-back fun and from quiet waterfront towns to cities that hop with action, the Dominican Republic has become a hot travel destination for North Americans seeking new experiences and new places to explore.
Key tourist attractions in the country include pristine beaches, water sports, a variety of golf courses and areas that focus on unique environmental features. Sailing continues to grow in popularity as people increasingly choose to explore and enjoy the Dominican Republic from the sea. The country can accommodate experienced sailors who bring their boats to ports throughout the country. People with little sailing experience also can enjoy the sea by renting boats and experienced crews.

Sailing in the Dominican Republic

A long-time sailor who is very familiar with the Dominican Republic has created its first sailing guide — the Dominican Republic Cruising Guide. This guide is unique from any other sailing manual or tourist guide for the country, because the author, who has lived in the country and sailed the area and throughout the Caribbean for more than 20 years, actually has visited all of the harbors included in the overview.

Information in the guide is derived from personal research and direct knowledge of the Dominican Republic. While the guide is a unique source of information for this vast and beautiful island, it should not be used for navigation. All charts, latitude and longitude positions, and inserts that are exhibited in the guide should be used only as reference. Navigation should be undertaken only with the appropriate charts of the area.

Dominican Republic Beaches

Many travelers consider the country’s beaches among the world’s finest. More than 1,000 miles of sand are gently tapped by warm, clear and blue waters. Among the most popular beaches are:

• The La Minitas beach, which has many activities along its stretch of shoreline. This includes scuba diving.
• Bayahibe, which offers a more relaxed atmosphere than that of La Minitas Beach. It is secluded and is mostly undeveloped. It also is the home to Casa de Camp, which is considered one of the finest golf resorts in the world.
• Punta Cana, which has the majority of the beachfront resorts. The area includes nightclubs, shops and restaurants.

Water Sports in the Dominican Republic

Many adventure seekers consider these waters to be the “kiteboarding capital of the world.” In Puerto Plata, water lovers find a perfect blend of wind, water and waves to create incomparable conditions. Windsurfers in huge numbers  flock to the water surrounding the Dominican Republic for annual competitions.

Dominican Republic Golf Courses

The country has become one of the best places for golfers to play 18 holes in the entire Caribbean. Nineteen courses have oceanfront fairways and swaying coconut palms. Some courses are designed by golf pros, including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo.

Eco Adventure in the Dominican Republic

The country’s nine ecological zones offer unique diversity for exciting eco and adventure tourism. The Dominican Republic has the Caribbean’s highest and lowest sea level points, with Pico Duarte at 10,128 feet above and Lake Enriquillo at 144 feet below. In between, the environment includes a tropical rain forest and an arid desert.

Learn more about Dominican Republic
vacations at Hispaniola.com.