Sandy strolls, sunset dinners, palm-side naps, and restorative swims. That’s the beach in Punta Cana.
Forging into the sea like the pursed lips of a reef fish, this sun-blushed region in the Dominican Republic is all about life by the water. From sun worshipping with a rum punch in hand to snorkeling technicolour reefs, this is what you can expect on Punta Cana’s beaches.
Discover Punta Cana’s beaches
The best of the Dominican Republic
What is it about Punta Cana? The palm-speckled easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic tempered by the vast turquoise where the Atlantic and Caribbean seas meet. The water’s balmy and shifts in glittering blues and greens. And travelers come from far and wide to squelch their toes in sand the colour of honey, sip on coconut water in the shade of a palm and windsurf, swim, and sail its aquamarine waters. Life here really is a beach. Slip on your sunglasses, order a rum cocktail, and dig deep into our beach guide to Punta Cana.
What to expect on the beach in Punta Cana
Beach life
Rippling down the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana has the best beaches on the island. And just to make sure you don’t suffer even a glimmer of FOMO, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide. One thing’s for sure, whichever beach you head to, you can expect long, languid afternoons on surreal turquoise bays. Where waterside rum shacks dole out barbecued chicken and just-caught seafood. And sun worshippers lie spread-eagled on the sands, snorkelling, SUPing, surfing. Or doing absolutely nothing at all.
Head to the long blonde sands of Bavaro if you want to be in the centre of the action. Explore the underwater reefs of Playa Blanca, where the water is calm and as clear as glass. Catch a catamaran to the tropical paradise of Isla Saona. Test out the surf on Macao Beach. And dive along the ethereal underwater walls that forge into the seas around Isla Catalina. Honeymooners, families, adventure-seekers, and beach aficionados. We promise there’s a beach for every one of you.
Top eight beaches in Punta Can
Our top picks
Stretch out on the sands at one of our favourite beaches in Punta Cana.
Bavaro Beach
Top Punta Cana beach
20km from Punta Cana Airport
If you’re looking for the quintessential Punta Cana experience, (hair-braiding, sea swimming and rum-drinking), you’ll find it on this long sweeping stretch of sand as silky as a pearl. This is where the top resorts have landed, and thousands of travelers descend here every year to lark about the beach, wallow in the turquoise waters and slurp on rum punches next to mammoth pools.
Playa Blanca
Less crowded
15km from Punta Cana Airport
Far less crowded than Bavaro, Playa Blanca is an enchanting strip of sand to slip on a snorkel and cast off into its infinite blues. Beautiful coral reefs lie hidden below the surface and salty-haired swimmers float just offshore before hopping on a paddleboard, stopping to refuel in one of the easy-come-easy-go waterside hangouts. You can also horse ride along the sands.
Macao Beach
Surfer’s paradise
25km from Punta Cana Airport
For a different beachy vibe, head north to this surfer’s paradise, where the swells are powerful and an easy-breezy rhythm swirls about the place. Even if you’re not into surfing, it’s a fun spot to fling yourselves through the waves before flopping on the blonde sands and staring at the surfers beetling over the waves.
Isla Saona
Tropical island paradise
118km from Punta Cana Airport (day trip from Punta Cana)
The epitome of a tropical island paradise. All powder-soft sands, azure waters, and palm trees casting shadows over travelers taking respite from the sun. Day trippers arrive in their droves, some on all-frills catamarans, others on rambunctious party cruises to spend hours on this slip of land, stopping at the piscina natural – a shallow sandbank spearing into the sea.
Uvero Alto Beach
Great for water sports
50km from Punta Cana Airport
Unhurried, uncrowded Uvero Alto is the antithesis of Bavaro. Wander along its golden shore and you’ll find just a smattering of palm-frond-parasols dotted here and there, a handful of upscale hotels, and smoky seafood restaurants dishing up grilled shrimp and lobster to diners sitting with their toes in the sand. Water sports are a big deal here too thanks to steady breezes and a strong undertow.
Playa Juanillo
Beautiful beach
30km from Punta Cana Airport
Little feet love to pad about the mellow shallows of this long stretch, often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana. It’s not private but it’s only accessible via the Cap Cana Resort with a $20 price tag, which means fewer visitors and more swathes of sand to claim as your own.
Isla Catalina
Snorkeling and scuba
83km from Punta Cana Airport (day trip from Punta Cana)
If you’re looking to linger below the waves of this region, beeline to this bone-white speck, haloed with an otherworldly coral reef. Snorkellers slip off from shore, gawping at shoals of rainbow fish and flopping back on land for a BBQ lunch. Divers, on the other hand, are drawn to The Wall – a steep drop-off, laced in coral and sponges where nurse sharks, turtles, and stingrays hover in curiosity.
Playa Arena Gorda
Luxury hotels and beach walks
30km from Punta Cana Airport
To the very north of Punta Cana, this long wide beach unravels with ribbons of white sand that’s overlooked by all-inclusive resorts. Even if you’re not staying in one of the all-singing all-dancing hotels, it’s a lovely place to walk along the shoreline. You can scot unique shells that have washed up and nibble on barbecued crab.
Top tips:
Try local cuisine, from fresh seafood to ‘la bandera’ (rice, beans, and meat).
Hire a car to give you the freedom to explore Punta Cana’s beaches.
Remember hurricane season runs from June to November.