5 Best Islands Near Dominican Republic

Saona Island is a popular beach destination off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. If you’re looking for stunning natural beauty and crystal-clear ocean for snorkelling or simply basking in along the coast, this island is hard to beat.

As it’s larger than most other islands off the coast of the Dominican Republic, there is also more to explore on Saona. Palmilla Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline with shallow waters suitable for families. If you’ve had enough of the sea and sand, check out the Cotubanamá National Park. You can take a short hike to Cueva del Puente (Cave of the Bridge), which has ancient paintings to discover.

Cayo Levantado is a beautiful island in Samana Bay, off the north coast of the Dominican Republic. This tropical, palm-lined island is popular with couples looking to relax and unwind on a day trip. The calm waters are perfect for paddling, with several beachfront bars and restaurants serving tasty food and fruity cocktails.

There's not that much to do on Cayo Levantado, except for basking in the beauty of the coastline under the shade of the trees. Bring a good book and pleasant company for a full day of chilled island life.

Catalina Island (Isla Catalina) is one of the most popular spots off the coast of the Dominican Republic. At just 2.4 km of the south-eastern coast of the mainland, it’s an easy journey from either Punta Cana or Santo Domingo.

Although Catalina Island is uninhabited, it has simple but sufficient facilities to satisfy most day-trippers. There are different snorkelling spots on either side of the island, with a choice of restaurants and bars sitting on the wooded exterior of the island. It’s also a popular scuba diving destination thanks to the vibrant coral reef in the surrounding water.

Cayo Arena’s biggest draw isn’t the golden sand but the vibrant coral reefs that surround this tiny islet. The calm, azure waters around the island regularly allow for visibility of over 10 metres, which means that snorkellers can discover the fascinating underwater world of bright coral, schools of fish, and other sea life.

Cayo Arena has a few simple beach restaurants serving freshly grilled seafood, including grilled tuna and octopus for when you get hungry. Getting to the island is fairly easy as it’s just off the north-western shore of the Dominican Republic. It involves a trip to the pier in Punta Rucia. From there, you can board a boat to take you to the island in less than 30 minutes.