Bahía de las Águilas

Bahía de las Águilas (Eagles Bay) is the beach most Dominicans name when you ask for the most beautiful one in the country, and it earns the reputation. About 8 km of pale sand curves along a bay of clear, shallow, turquoise water at the far south-west corner of the Dominican Republic, inside Parque Nacional Jaragua in Pedernales province. There are no hotels, bars, vendors or chairs, which is the whole point and the reason to plan the day properly.

The water is usually calm and very clear, with a gentle sandy entry that suits casual swimmers and kids who are watched closely. The rocky points at either end are the best snorkeling, with fish around the cliffs. There are no lifeguards. Sargassum is rarely a factor here compared with the east coast, though no Caribbean beach is fully immune in a heavy year.

Getting there: drive to the fishing village of La Cueva, about 25 to 30 minutes from Pedernales town, past Cabo Rojo. Pay the national park fee at the small hut (around RD$150 per person, roughly $3, in 2026; you get a wristband), then hire a boat. Boats are priced per boat, not per person, and cost roughly RD$2,000 to RD$4,000 (about $35 to $85) round trip for up to five to eight people depending on the operator, cash only. The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes. There is no dock, so expect to wade in and out. Agree on the pickup time before the captain leaves; boats run roughly 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A rough track also reaches the bay from the land side, but it needs a 4x4, dry weather and ideally a local guide, and the boat is easier.

What to bring: everything. At least two liters of water per person, food (or order lunch by boat from La Cueva the day before), a sun umbrella or beach tent, reef-safe sunscreen (required in the park), snorkel gear and a bag for your trash. There are no restrooms, shops or shade on the beach itself, so use the facilities at the La Cueva restaurants before you board. Phone signal is weak to nonexistent. Fishing is prohibited and shells and coral stay where they are.

The development question: the government's Cabo Rojo tourism project is building large resorts a few kilometers north, and the first hotel is now expected in early 2027. Bahía de las Águilas itself is protected land, and President Luis Abinader has said there will be no construction in protected zones.

Best for: travelers willing to spend a long day for a beach with nobody on it, snorkelers and photographers. Not for: anyone who needs shade, food service or a short trip. Go early in the morning, when the light is soft and the wind is lighter, and in the drier months from November to April. Base yourself in Pedernales or at the glamping lodge at La Cueva, and see our boat trip page for the logistics.