Catalina Island: The Best Day Trip From Punta Cana
Punta Cana is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist destinations. For travelers seeking that all inclusive sun and booze experience or family resort with a kids club, Punta Cana is the place to be. If you are seeking something a little more exotic and off the beaten path, Catalina Island is the answer to your travel dreams. Catalina Island is an uninhabited island off the coast of La Romana, Dominican Republic. La Romana is about a 1 hour drive from Punta Cana. On the way to La Romana, the bus stops at a souvenir market. You can buy anything you might need for your beach trip or some trinkets to take home.
The River Cruise
The view of the Cliffs from the boat during the river cruise.
Umm…sometimes it rains in the DR. A lot. Especially in the Fall. I went the last week of November and it rained half of every day. Luckily it is warm and it didn’t ruin the tour.
Lush trees and bushes off the river.
Shakira’s house in La Romana, DR. Pretty nice, eh?
Snorkeling
After the adventure on the river, the boat takes everyone to a reef off the coast of Catalina Island for a snorkel. It was a beautiful reef with many colorful fish, but unfortunately my polaroid cube malfunctioned so I don’t have any pictures to share from this trip.
Catalina Island
After the river cruise and snorkel, passengers transition from the Catamaran to a dingy to be brought to the shore of Catalina Island. On this beautiful island, there is a pavilion where lunch is served and a few bars. All food and drinks are included in the coast of the excursion. So you can grab a drink and a lounge chair or hop back in the water for another swim. The sand is fine and white and the water is so clear. Some of the clearest water I have ever experienced. And while Punta Cana has a seaweed problem, there are no traces of it on this beautiful island.
I was hesitant to book this trip because I was visiting during rainy season. It rained half of every day while I was in the Dominican Republic, so I worried that might ruin the boat trip. It rained half of the day of this trip. I took cover on the boat and in the pavilion on Catalina Island. The small island is so beautiful it was worth the trip, even with so much rain.
So glad it was still worth the trip even with the rain! Your photos still make it look fun!
Aww thanks!! It was definitely a good day!
What camera did you use to make the first shot with the splashes of water?
The weather in the Dominican Republic is unpredictable. It can be sunny and then the rain would begin.
I spent 4 days in Punta Cana and then went traveling around the island. So beautiful. Unfortunately I didn’t go to Catalina.
I used a Polaroid cube. But I haven’t had the best luck with it in the year I’ve owned it.
I love the dramatic skies and the incredible coast photos! I had no idea there was a Catalina Island off of Punta Cana! When I read Catalina, I automatically assume it’s the island off of California. HA! Very different. Glad the rain did not deter you or ruin the trip. Just goes to show that sometimes taking the chance reveals something great.
Yeah. Sometimes you just have to embrace the rain!
I love those water shots and the way they capture the curvature. Very cool even if it was raining
Catalina Island sounds amazing. I first thought it was a post about Southern California, but then remembered that is was Santa Catalina Island 🙂 Despite some showers, it sounds like a great place to visit. Such a bummer you weren’t able to take any photos of your snorkeling. Hopefully next time!!!
I’ve never been here and I definitely would love to visit after seeing your amazing pictures!
It looks like you had an amazing trip despite the weather! I’m not one for beach vacations, but I love visiting beach towns on the off-season, so this sounds perfect to me.
From the middle of big walls of snow in Romania, this awesome post from Punta Cana fills my heart with warm, hope, and dreams of a summer holiday. It seems that you had a great experience and I can’t wait to go to Catalina Island, too – that photo of you just relaxing on the beach in the perfect spiritual moment.
Love those shots of the waves. I recently did a lot of beach photography myself and took similar shots. Dominican is so high up on my bucket list and Catalina island looks amazing. Any plans to go back?
I’ve been to punta cana twice but never ventured far from the resort. This makes me wish I would’ve found an exotic place beyond!