Are there any facilities at Bahia de las Aguilas?

No. There are absolutely no facilities at the beach — no restrooms, no shade structures, no food vendors, no freshwater, no trash cans. You must bring everything you need: water (at least 3 liters per person), food, shade (umbrella or lightweight shelter), towels, sunscreen, and bags for your trash. There is no cell phone service. This complete lack of development is what keeps the beach pristine and special.

How do I arrange a boat to Bahia de las Aguilas?

Boats depart from the fishing village of La Cueva, located near the park entrance on Route 44 between Oviedo and Pedernales. Local fishermen operate small boats that take approximately 15 minutes to reach the beach. Round-trip fare is US$15-25 per person (negotiable for groups). Agree on a pickup time before your captain departs, as there is no way to communicate from the beach. Many tour operators in Barahona also organize complete day trips including transport, boat, and lunch.

Can I camp at Bahia de las Aguilas?

Overnight camping is technically possible with permission from the park administration (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente), but you must be completely self-sufficient. There is no freshwater, no facilities, and no shade structures at the beach. If you camp, bring all water, food, shelter, sleeping equipment, and most importantly, bags to pack out all your trash. Leave no trace. The night sky at Bahia de las Aguilas, far from any light pollution, is spectacular.

🌲

🌲 Natural Monument

Bahia de las Aguilas

The most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic

Easy📏 37 km²⏱️ Half day to full day📍 Southwest

Quick Facts

🏞️

Type

Natural Monument

🎟️

Entry Fee

Free (within Jaragua National Park); boat from La Cueva approximately US$15-25 round trip

📊

Difficulty

Easy

⏱️

Duration

Half day to full day

🧭

Guide

Self-Guided OK

📐

Area

37 km²

📅

Established

1983 (as part of Parque Nacional Jaragua)

☀️

Best Time

Year-round; calmest seas November through April

🕐

Hours

Daylight hours

⛰️

Elevation

0-50m

🏛️

UNESCO

Part of Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2002)

📶

Cell Coverage

No coverage at the beach; limited signal at La Cueva village

⛺

Camping

Allowed

🏗️ Facilities:None At The Beach; Bring Everything You NeedBoat Services From La Cueva

🦎 Key Species:Hawksbill sea turtleHermit crabsPelicansTropical fishSea stars

🌄 Key Features:8 km pristine white sand beachCrystal-clear turquoise waterZero developmentRemote wilderness settingSnorkeling

🎒 What to Bring:Water (at least 3 liters per person — non-negotiable)All food and snacksPortable shade (umbrella or lightweight tent)Reef-safe sunscreenSnorkeling gearTrash bags for all wasteTowel and change of clothes

⚠️ Warnings:Absolutely no facilities at the beach — bring everything you needNo cell phone service — agree on boat pickup times before your captain leavesExtreme sun exposure with no natural shade — sunstroke risk is realThe unpaved road to the beach requires 4WD and is not recommended after rainLeave no trace — pack out all trash to keep this beach pristine

Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of Eagles) is widely and justifiably considered the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic — and arguably the finest in the entire Caribbean. This 8-kilometer sweep of powdery white sand, washed by crystal-clear turquoise water and backed by arid coastal bluffs, is located within Parque Nacional Jaragua in the remote southwestern corner of the country, far from any resort development.

What makes Bahia de las Aguilas extraordinary is its complete wildness. There are no hotels, no beach bars, no sun loungers, no vendors — just an unbroken ribbon of pristine sand stretching as far as the eye can see. The water is shallow, calm, and so clear that you can see fish swimming from the shoreline. The surrounding landscape of cacti, sea grapes, and limestone cliffs adds a rugged beauty that contrasts dramatically with the gentle aquamarine sea. This is the Dominican Republic at its most raw and unspoiled.

Getting to Bahia de las Aguilas is part of the adventure:

By boat from La Cueva: The most common and easiest access. Small fishing boats depart from the village of La Cueva (approximately 15 minutes by boat). Round-trip boat fare is US$15-25 per person. Boats can drop you off in the morning and pick you up in the afternoon.
By road: A rough, unpaved road reaches the beach directly from Pedernales, but it requires 4WD and careful navigation. Not recommended after heavy rain.
From Barahona: Drive approximately 2 hours south on Route 44 — one of the most scenic coastal drives in the Caribbean — through Enriquillo and Oviedo to La Cueva or Pedernales.
Organized tours: Tour operators in Barahona and Pedernales offer day trips (US$60-100 per person) including transport, boat, and usually lunch with freshly caught fish cooked on the beach.

Since Bahia de las Aguilas has absolutely no facilities, preparation is everything:

Bring everything: Water (at least 3 liters per person), food, sunscreen, shade (umbrella or lightweight tent), towels. There is nothing to buy at the beach.
Sun protection: The sun is fierce and there is zero natural shade on the beach. A portable shade structure is highly recommended.
Reef-safe sunscreen: The water is pristine — help keep it that way by using biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen.
Arrange return transport: If arriving by boat, agree on a pickup time and location with your boat captain before they leave. There is no cell service at the beach.
Leave no trace: Pack out all of your trash. This beach is pristine because visitors respect it. Keep it that way.
Snorkeling: Bring mask and snorkel. The rocky headlands at either end of the beach offer good snorkeling with tropical fish, coral, and sea stars.
Camping: Overnight camping is technically possible with park permission, but you must be completely self-sufficient.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

In a word, yes. Bahia de las Aguilas is consistently rated the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and one of the finest in the Caribbean. Its magic lies in the combination of 8 km of pristine white sand, crystal-clear shallow turquoise water, zero development, no crowds, and a wild, untouched desert-coastal landscape. The absence of any man-made structures or commerce creates a sense of being on a deserted island. Photographs do not do it justice.

🌿 Nearby National Parks

Parque Nacional Jaragua

🏞️ National Park

Full day

1,374 km²

Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco

🏞️ National Park

1-3 days

800 km²

Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos

🏞️ National Park

Half day to full day

375 km²

Park Information

🎫

Entry Fee

Free (within Jaragua National Park); boat from La Cueva approximately US$15-25 round trip

🕒

Opening Hours

Daylight hours

📊

Difficulty

Easy

🧭

Guide Required

⏱️

Recommended Duration

Half day to full day

📅

Best Time to Visit

Year-round; calmest seas November through April

⛰️

Elevation

0-50m

📏

Area

37 km²

🏘️

Nearest Town

Pedernales

Get Directions →

This park is in

Barahona →

Discovering Paradise

Quick Facts

🏞️

Type

Natural Monument

🎟️

Entry Fee

Free (within Jaragua National Park); boat from La Cueva approximately US$15-25 round trip

📊

Difficulty

Easy

⏱️

Duration

Half day to full day

🧭

Guide

Self-Guided OK

📐

Area

37 km²

📅

Established

1983 (as part of Parque Nacional Jaragua)

☀️

Best Time

Year-round; calmest seas November through April

🕐

Hours

Daylight hours

⛰️

Elevation

0-50m

🏛️

UNESCO

Part of Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2002)

📶

Cell Coverage

No coverage at the beach; limited signal at La Cueva village

⛺

Camping

Allowed

🏗️ Facilities:None At The Beach; Bring Everything You NeedBoat Services From La Cueva

🦎 Key Species:Hawksbill sea turtleHermit crabsPelicansTropical fishSea stars

🌄 Key Features:8 km pristine white sand beachCrystal-clear turquoise waterZero developmentRemote wilderness settingSnorkeling

Since Bahia de las Aguilas has absolutely no facilities, preparation is everything:

Bring everything: Water (at least 3 liters per person), food, sunscreen, shade (umbrella or lightweight tent), towels. There is nothing to buy at the beach.
Sun protection: The sun is fierce and there is zero natural shade on the beach. A portable shade structure is highly recommended.
Reef-safe sunscreen: The water is pristine — help keep it that way by using biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen.
Arrange return transport: If arriving by boat, agree on a pickup time and location with your boat captain before they leave. There is no cell service at the beach.
Leave no trace: Pack out all of your trash. This beach is pristine because visitors respect it. Keep it that way.
Snorkeling: Bring mask and snorkel. The rocky headlands at either end of the beach offer good snorkeling with tropical fish, coral, and sea stars.
Camping: Overnight camping is technically possible with park permission, but you must be completely self-sufficient.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Bahia de las Aguilas

Quick Facts

About Bahia de las Aguilas

How to Get There

Essential Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🌿 Nearby National Parks

Parque Nacional Jaragua

Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco

Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos

Park Information

Bahia de las Aguilas

Quick Facts

About Bahia de las Aguilas

How to Get There

Essential Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🌿 Nearby National Parks

Parque Nacional Jaragua

Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco

Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos

Park Information