From $1750Boat & Snorkeling Trips in Puerto Plata
Because Puerto Plata sits on the open Atlantic-Caribbean north coast, the water here is for sailing and snorkelling rather than calm-lagoon paddling. Catamaran trips are the headline experience: most leave from Sosua or the Taino Bay marina, motor along the coast, anchor over the Sosua reef for a snorkel stop, then sail back with a BBQ lunch and an open bar of rum punch and Presidente beer. Smaller private charters on boats like a Hatteras 52 or a Blue Sky catamaran take two to twelve guests with a captain and crew, and suit families, couples or groups who want to skip the crowds and set their own route. Anglers come for the half-day big-game fishing charters that troll the deep water just offshore for mahi-mahi and marlin. The best months for clear water and calm seas run December to April, before the summer swells build. Wherever you launch, bring reef-safe sunscreen and book ahead in cruise season, because the better catamarans sell out when two ships are in port.
Top Boat & Snorkeling Trips tours
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do snorkeling boat trips in Puerto Plata go?
- Most public catamaran trips sail to the Sosua reef, a sheltered bay 25 minutes east with clear shallows and tropical fish. Private charters can also reach quieter coves toward Cabarete on request.
- Is the water calm enough for first-time snorkelers?
- Inside Sosua bay the water is calm and shallow, which suits beginners and children. The open-water crossing to get there can be bumpy, so take motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive.
- What is included on a catamaran trip?
- Public cruises usually include a BBQ lunch, an open bar with rum punch and beer, snorkel gear and the reef stop. Private charters add a captain, crew and a route you choose, and can swap the BBQ for fresh seafood at extra cost.