Best Beaches in Punta Cana

This huge thirty-mile stretch of powdery white sand, bright blue Atlantic Ocean and hundreds of palms is home to lots of hotels (Barcelo Beach, Barcelo Palace and Barcelo Punta Cana included), restaurants and shops. The water’s protected by coral reefs, creating what’s essentially a huge natural swimming pool. Besides the beachfront flea market, there’s oodles to do: speedboat rides, parasailing, kite-surfing, SUP, sea kayaking.

Great for: Swimming, diving, jet skiing

This stretch of Bavaro is called the ‘Fat sand beach’, because beneath the palm trees and gradually sloping down to the shallow water is a wide stretch of yellowy-white sand. Our favourite hotels include Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino, Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance, and overall three of the resorts are Blue Flag accredited. Activities include swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. One of the easiest ways to access the beach is through the Kukua restaurant.

Great for: Families, weddings, swimming

With the European Blue Flag label and hundreds of palms providing shade, the ‘Bull’s Head’ (after its shape) is a popular tourist spot. Between Bavaro beach and the easternmost point of the island, Cabo Engaño, it’s also home to Yacht Club and a departure point for fishing trips and excursions. Hotels include Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana.

Great for: Fishing, Marinarium excursions, snorkelling

In Cap Cana, Juanillo’s bright white sands paired with the super clear waters of the Caribbean Sea makes it one of the loveliest beaches in the country. Shacks and restaurants sell tropical food and drinks, live music and events add to the atmosphere and activities include volleyball, windsurfing and swimming. If you’re not staying in one of the beachfront hotels (like Sanctuary Cap Cana) to access the beach, they usually ask for some form of ID at the gate.

Great for: Idyllic Caribbean beach, beach restaurants, exclusive location

This yellow sand beach sits up at the northern end of Punta Cana. There’s undertow on some sections with waves for bodyboarding and surfing, while reefs protect other parts leaving calmer waters. Some fabulous hotels have nabbed this top spot, including Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort, Excellence Punta Cana and Dreams Resort & Spa.

Great for: Bodyboarding, sea kayaking, less-touristy spot

Perfectly pairing a dreamy Caribbean beachfront with impressive surf on the north end of Punta Cana - Macao’s a top spot for surfer’s, with small to mid-sized waves of bright turquoise crashing onto gloriously light sand and surf schools teaching the technique. It’s worth checking the forecast before you take to the water to avoid any strong currents or undertow. The northern end of the beach is your best bet for a quieter atmosphere. One of our favourite places to stay here is the Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana.

Great for: Surfing, kite surfing

In Bavaro, these adjoining beaches and their small fisherman’s village give the most authentically Dominican experience. The area’s a hive of restaurants (don’t miss Captain Cook at Cortecito), hotels (like Occidental Punta Cana) bars and shops, while the beach (yellow-white sands and clear waters) is excellent for parasailing and snorkelling.

Great for: Beachfront restaurants, snorkelling, shops

This is where beach tourism began for the region, hence the name ‘Playa Punta Cana’ growing to cover the whole area. Kiteboarders, windsurfers and standup paddlers love it here, as do parents thanks to the shallow, flat waters of the Caribbean Sea. As you’d expect from the name (blanca = white), the light sand and clear sea are a feast for the eyes. The beach is part of a gated resort community, but access is free if you’re using the restaurant or Kite Club (or you can usually leave your ID at the gate for a day pass). Stay at Club Med Punta Cana to make the most of this idyllic stretch of beach.

Great for: Kite surfing, standup paddleboarding, idyllic Caribbean beach