At a glance
- Best for
- Diving, snorkelling, calm beaches and island trips
- Nearest airport
- La Romana International, about twenty minutes; Punta Cana about an hour
- Time needed
- Three to five days
- Best time
- December to April; diving is good all year
- Getting around
- Walking, taxis and boat trips
- Good base for
- Saona Island, Catalina Island and Altos de Chavón
The village and beaches
The old fishing village is compact, with a small bay where the excursion boats come and go, a handful of seafood restaurants and dive shops. A short walk or ride away, **Playa Dominicus** is a long, calm beach with resorts and a public section, recognised for its clean water. The sea here is the Caribbean, so it is generally flatter and clearer than the Atlantic coast.
Saona Island and the national park
Bayahibe sits on the edge of the **Parque Nacional del Este**. Boats leave each morning for **Saona Island**, with palm lined beaches, the shallow starfish **natural pool** and, on some trips, the village of Mano Juan with its turtle conservation project. Trips run by catamaran and speedboat, and quality varies, so choose a reputable operator. On land, the **Padre Nuestro** trail and the **Cueva de Chicho** hold Taíno cave drawings and freshwater pools.
Diving and snorkelling
Bayahibe is one of the country's diving centres. Sites include coral reefs and walls, and the **Guadalupe Underwater Museum** and **St George** wreck. Off **Catalina Island**, the **Captain Kidd Living Museum in the Sea** protects the remains of a 1699 shipwreck. Snorkellers find good reefs near Catalina and off the national park.
Altos de Chavón and La Romana
About twenty minutes away, **Altos de Chavón** is a re-created Mediterranean village built in the 1970s and 1980s above the Chavón River, with an amphitheatre, church, archaeology museum, galleries and views. **La Romana** itself is a sugar town with a lively local feel and the large Casa de Campo resort.
Where to stay and eat
Stay in the village for guesthouses and local life, or at Dominicus for all inclusive resorts. Eat fresh fish, lobster in season and **pescado con coco** (fish in coconut sauce) at the beach restaurants, and try the local colmados for a cold drink in the evening.
Getting around and safety
The village is walkable, and taxis link Bayahibe, Dominicus and La Romana. Buses run along the main highway to Santo Domingo. Bayahibe is relaxed, but use common sense with valuables on beaches. Respect the marine park rules: do not touch or lift starfish or coral. Follow your government's current travel advice.
A suggested three days
Day one: settle into the village, swim at the public beach and watch the sunset with fresh fish. Day two: a full day trip to Saona Island and the natural pool. Day three: a morning dive or snorkel trip, then an afternoon at Altos de Chavón, with views over the Chavón River.
Diving tips
Bring your certification card and logbook, and book dives a day ahead in high season. Water is warm all year, so a thin wetsuit or shorty is plenty.
Practical tips
Bring reef safe sunscreen, cash in pesos for village restaurants and tips, and a dry bag for boat trips. Book Saona trips a day or two ahead in peak season, and ask what is included. Mosquitoes can be busy at dusk, so pack repellent.
Shape your route with the free trip planner.
Questions about Bayahibe
Is it better to visit Saona Island from Bayahibe or Punta Cana?
Bayahibe is much closer, so you spend less time on the bus and more on the water. Many Punta Cana tours drive to Bayahibe first anyway.
Can I touch the starfish in the natural pool?
No. Lifting starfish out of the water harms them, and park rules ask visitors to look but not touch. A good guide will remind you.
Is Bayahibe good for families?
Yes. The water is generally calm, Dominicus has resorts with children's facilities, and Saona and snorkelling trips suit most ages.
Is Bayahibe good for diving beginners?
Yes. Several dive centres offer introductory dives and courses, and the calm water and good visibility make it a comfortable place to learn.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
