A hidden gem of the Greater Antilles, the Dominican Republic offers dramatic mountainous beauty as a backdrop to the creature comforts of gastronomic restaurants and world-class championship golf courses, not to mention stellar sporting activities on the water.
As Cuba’s charter appeal increases, the Dominican Republic looks set to follow suit as a handy staging post. The best time of year to visit is between December and February. A number of full-service superyacht marinas are currently available in the Dominican Republic, including Casa de Campo and Marina Zar Par on the south coast, Marina Cap Cana on the south-east, Puerto Bahia on the east, and Ocean World Marina on the north. There are nine international airports in the Dominican Republic, which makes inbound and outbound travel convenient.
Whether you are hunting for a great surf break or want to scuba dive dozens of incredible sites, the Dominican Republic is a watersports haven. At just 12 metres’ depth, the Aquarium at Catalina Island on the south coast offers a technicolour sealife experience that is great for snorkelers as well as those with a tank.
The coastal waters are peppered with fantastic wreck sites, too. The north coast is popular with surfers and kitesurfers looking to find some reliable waves or wind.
A variety of excellent championship golf courses can be found on the easternmost peninsula of the Dominican Republic in Punta Cana; however, none is as locally celebrated as that of the ‘Teeth of the Dog’ 18-hole par 72 at the Casa de Campo resort.
Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, it has been ranked as the top golf course in the Caribbean. The resort also features a full-service superyacht marina, spa, a number of restaurants and equestrian activities.
Duarte Peak – or ‘Pico Duarte’ as it is locally known – in the Dominican Republic’s Cordillera Central range is the highest mountain in the Caribbean, attracting avid hikers and climbers looking for a challenging ascent to its 3,098m point, which takes a number of days.
One-day helicopter excursions to the summit are also available. Be aware that, unlike warmer temperatures at sea level, it can get cool at the top of the mountain, so dress accordingly if you are heading up.
Some of the best and most reliable whale watching in the world can be found off the north-east Samana Bay of the Dominican Republic. Between December and April, the area is visited by calving and mating humpback whales.
Sensitivity to the local sea life is imperative, and use of a smaller boat may be needed. Astonishing courtship displays and songs can be seen and heard from the surface, and it is recommended to have a professional guide in tow.
Adventurous charterers happy to forego the polish of more upscale destinations will be richly rewarded by diverse Cuba. Pristine beaches and abundant sea life in more remote spots are perfectly complemented by Havana’s exciting, raw energy and enchanting culture.
Having long been a Caribbean haunt of the glitterati – from film stars to European royals – Jamaica holds a special place in the hearts of those who visit. Once the largest city in the Caribbean, Port Royal in the south was a 17th Century hub for pirates.
From big-wave surfing and tropical rainforest tours to swashbuckling tales of piracy and colonial pillaging, Puerto Rico has something for everyone. Old San Juan was founded in 1521 and is the oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas; its troubled past was literally written on the walls of the fortresses battered by ancient cannonballs.