La Altagracia · Dominican Republic
- Position
- 18.5°N · 68.4°W
- Region
- La Altagracia, Dominican Republic
Overview
Where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean
Punta Cana is the resort area at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, formally the Verón–Punta Cana municipal district in La Altagracia province. Its coast faces the Atlantic to the east and the Caribbean to the south.
The name is used loosely for a long stretch of coast. Bávaro, to the north, runs from Cabeza de Toro to Macao with about 10 km of beaches; Uvero Alto lies further north; and Cap Cana, south of Punta Cana Village, is an upscale planned community with its own marina. A coral barrier of around 30 km runs offshore, creating shallow natural pools where boats stop for a swim.
Charters here range from relaxed catamaran days along the Bávaro coast to serious sport fishing out of Cap Cana. Saona Island, the region's most famous boat trip, lies on the Caribbean coast to the southwest inside a national park, and is usually reached via Bayahibe.
Departures
Three parts of the coast
Departure points differ along this long coastline, so we match the boat to where you are staying.
Marina Cap Cana
A protected inland harbor in Cap Cana and a sport-fishing hub with a catch-and-release culture and annual tournaments.
Cap CanaPuntacana Resort & Club
The resort community near the airport has its own marina; access arrangements for charter guests are confirmed per vessel.
Punta CanaThe Bávaro coast
Many catamaran and party-boat days run along Bávaro. We confirm exactly where your boat will meet you.
BávaroWhere you'll cruise
Pools, islands and blue water
The natural pools
Shallow sandy areas inside the coral barrier where boats stop so guests can swim and wade. Conditions and visibility vary from day to day.
Sport fishing
Billfish trips from Marina Cap Cana, a member of the Billfish Foundation, with catch-and-release widely practised.
Saona Island
A large island inside Cotubanamá National Park, renamed from Parque Nacional del Este in 2014, with long beaches and the village of Mano Juan. Trips usually embark at Bayahibe; park rules and fees apply.
Isla Catalina
An island off La Romana known for snorkeling and the protected wreck site of Captain Kidd's Quedagh Merchant, usually visited from the La Romana side.
Juanillo & Macao
Beaches at Cap Cana and at the north end of Bávaro, for a scenic cruise or a sunset.
Seasons
Planning your Punta Cana day
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; Hurricane Fiona made landfall in the east of the country in September 2022.
Warm season: May to October is hot and humid, with the most comfortable charter weather usually in the drier winter months.
Sargassum varies a great deal from year to year and beach to beach. We keep an eye on current outlooks and suggest the calmest, clearest options.
Whales: humpback whale watching in the Dominican Republic takes place in Samaná Bay, a separate region in the northeast, rather than in Punta Cana.
For your Punta Cana quote
- Where you are staying: Bávaro, Punta Cana, Cap Cana or Uvero Alto
- Date and group size
- Natural pools, fishing, Saona or a celebration
- Preferred vessel style
Current fleet & availability
Ask about boats in Punta Cana
Tell us where you are staying, your date and group size, and whether you would like natural pools, fishing or Saona. We will check the vessels available.
Related destinations
More of the Caribbean
Punta Cana FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Charters in Punta Cana
Straight answers to the questions travelers ask most about chartering in Punta Cana. If yours is not here, ask us when you request a quote.
Where do Punta Cana boat charters leave from?
From Marina Cap Cana, the Puntacana Resort marina or the Bávaro coast, depending on the vessel and where you are staying.
What is the "natural pool" in Punta Cana?
Shallow, sandy areas inside the reef off Punta Cana and Bávaro, where boats stop so guests can swim and wade.
Can we go to Saona Island from Punta Cana?
Yes, as a day trip. Most Saona trips embark at Bayahibe on the Caribbean coast, so the day usually combines road and boat travel.
Is Saona Island a national park?
Yes. It is part of Cotubanamá National Park, formerly known as Parque Nacional del Este, and park rules and fees apply.
Is there good sport fishing in Punta Cana?
Marina Cap Cana is a well-known billfishing hub with a catch-and-release culture and annual tournaments.
Will there be seaweed on Punta Cana's beaches?
Sargassum is highly variable from year to year. We check current conditions and suggest the best options for your dates.
Can we see whales from Punta Cana?
Whale watching in the Dominican Republic takes place in Samaná Bay, a separate region in the northeast, rather than in Punta Cana.
When is hurricane season in Punta Cana?
June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
Is Punta Cana on the Atlantic or the Caribbean?
Both. It sits at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, where the coast faces the Atlantic to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Saona Island and Bayahibe lie on the Caribbean side, to the southwest.
Is Cap Cana part of Punta Cana?
Yes, in the loose sense that the name covers this whole stretch of coast. Cap Cana is an upscale planned community south of Punta Cana Village, with its own marina and Juanillo Beach, while Bávaro and Uvero Alto lie further north.
Can we visit Isla Catalina from Punta Cana?
It can be done as a day trip, but Isla Catalina lies off La Romana and is usually visited from that side. The island is known for snorkeling and the protected wreck site of Captain Kidd's Quedagh Merchant, and we confirm what is practical from where you are staying.