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Home / Beaches / Playa Bonita

Playa Bonita

Пляж Бонита
Dominican Republic · Beach · Samaná
high
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for couples and families seeking a secluded beach with beautiful nature and calm water. Suitable for those who want to relax away from noisy resorts.

Best month

December

Water
+27.5°C
Length
1 000 m
A scenic beach, recognised by National Geographic as one of the best in the world. It features soft sand and calm water, popular for swimming and sunset watching.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic beach, recognised by National Geographic as one of the best in the world. It features soft sand and calm water, popular for swimming and sunset watching.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Scenic curved bay
  • Soft golden sand
  • Calm water thanks to reef
  • Many coconut palms
  • Less crowded than Las Terrenas
  • Beautiful sunsets
  • Secluded atmosphere

Cons

  • No local community — few shops
  • Transport required for trips to Las Terrenas
  • Limited number of restaurants
  • Can be windy
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for couples and families seeking a secluded beach with beautiful nature and calm water. Suitable for those who want to relax away from noisy resorts.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Playa Bonita was included by National Geographic in its list of the «Best Beaches in the World», ranking 16th out of 40.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
10.0 m
Average Water Temp
+27.5 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.5 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
November
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. Quiet location on the Samaná peninsula.
Dangerous creatures
Mosquitoes
Sand flies
Geckos
Spiders
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Hotel Acaya Restaurant

International

Hotel restaurant with ocean views and international dishes

Beachfront Restaurants

Seafood

Several beachfront restaurants with fresh fish and seafood

Nearby cuisines

International

International dishes in hotel restaurants

Must try: Fresh fish, seafood

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean

Must try: Grilled fish, prawns, lobster
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
plenty
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Headwear
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets best seen from the beach.
Local Rules
Alcohol consumption on the beach, smoking and dog walking are prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Las Terrenas

Lively town 3 km away with restaurants and shops

Punta Bonita

Scenic point with panoramic ocean views

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Bonita: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +27.5°C, warms up to +29.5°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Bonita: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Bonita: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Bonita: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Playa Bonita: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in November. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Bonita: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Bonita: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Mosquitoes, Sand flies, Geckos, Spiders. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Bonita: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Bonita: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa Bonita: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Hotel Acaya Restaurant, Beachfront Restaurants. Cuisines available: International, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Bonita: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Headwear.
Playa Bonita: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets best seen from the beach.
Playa Bonita: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Alcohol consumption on the beach, smoking and dog walking are prohibited.
Playa Bonita: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Bonita: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for couples and families seeking a secluded beach with beautiful nature and calm water. Suitable for those who want to relax away from noisy resorts.
Playa Bonita: what makes this beach unique?
Playa Bonita was included by National Geographic in its list of the «Best Beaches in the World», ranking 16th out of 40.
Playa Bonita: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Scenic curved bay, Soft golden sand, Calm water thanks to reef, Many coconut palms, Less crowded than Las Terrenas, Beautiful sunsets, Secluded atmosphere. Cons: No local community — few shops, Transport required for trips to Las Terrenas, Limited number of restaurants, Can be windy.
Playa Bonita: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Las Terrenas, Punta Bonita. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Bonita: how do I get to the city of Samaná?
The beach is located near the city of Samaná. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Samaná.

City

Samaná

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.