Bahía de las Águilas Boat Trip

The boat trip from La Cueva is how almost everyone reaches Bahía de las Águilas, the 8 km white-sand bay inside Parque Nacional Jaragua. It is simple once you know the steps, and easy to get wrong if you show up late or without cash.

How it works: drive from Pedernales south past Cabo Rojo to the fishing village of La Cueva, about 25 to 30 minutes. Pay the national park entrance at the small hut near the glamping lodge (around RD$150 per person in 2026, about $3; you get a wristband). Then hire a boat. Boats are open motorboats for about six passengers, with life jackets, and they are priced per boat. In 2026 guides, a round trip ran roughly RD$2,000 to RD$3,500 (about $35 to $60) per boat with independent fishermen, or about RD$800 to RD$1,200 per person on a shared boat, about RD$3,175 (around $60) through the glamping lodge, and around $85 for up to five people through Rancho Típico. Prices move, so agree on the total and the pickup time before you leave the shore.

The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes along the cliffs. Some boats stop at a natural pool or snorkel spot on the way; ask. There is no dock at the beach, so you wade ashore. Boats run from about 8:30 a.m., and last pickups are usually around 5:30 p.m. Go early: the light is better, the water is calmer and you get more hours on the sand.

What to bring: water (at least two liters each), food or a pre-ordered lunch (the La Cueva restaurants can send plates by boat for around $7 to $15 if you arrange it the day before), shade, reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear and a trash bag. There are no vendors on the beach and almost no phone signal.

Organized options: tour companies sell full-day packages from Pedernales and further afield, from about $70 to over $300 per person on booking platforms depending on transport and group size, and cruise passengers at Cabo Rojo can book a coastal boat excursion through their cruise line. Private catamaran charters exist but run into the thousands of dollars.

Best for: everyone visiting Pedernales. Difficulty is easy, though the wade in and out means you will get wet to the knees or more. The ride can be bumpy in afternoon wind. Pair the day with the red cliffs at Playa Cabo Rojo and a seafood dinner at Rancho Típico.