Catamaran & Snorkeling Trips

The north coast water around Puerto Plata is clearer and calmer than the Atlantic farther west, which is why the catamaran and snorkel fleet is the second pillar of the local tour scene after the city loop. The classic outing sails from Maimon or Sosua to the protected reef inside Sosua bay, drops anchor for an hour of snorkelling over coral heads and reef fish, then opens the BBQ grill and the rum punch bar for the cruise back. These shared catamaran trips carry twenty to forty guests, last three to four hours and cost roughly USD 79 to USD 119 per person with gear, food and drinks included.

If you want the same water without the crowd, Puerto Plata also has a strong private charter market running out of the Taino Bay marina. You can book a Blue Sky catamaran, a Hatteras 52 sport cruiser or a wide beam boat with an onboard jacuzzi for groups up to fifteen, each crewed by a captain, mate and sometimes a chef. Private charters run two to six hours and cost USD 800 to USD 2,400 per group depending on the boat, which often beats the per person rate once a family or a group of friends splits it.

For anglers, the same marinas send out half day big game fishing charters chasing mahi mahi, wahoo and marlin in the deep water just offshore. Whatever the boat, book the morning departure if you get seasick because the trade wind and the swell build through the afternoon, and remember that cruise passengers should only pick trips that finish at least an hour before all aboard, since the Sosua run plus transfer eats most of a port day.