Bahia de las Aguilas: Your Beach Screensaver Come to Life!
Have you ever drifted off into a fantasy that you are laying on a beach in the middle of nowhere? There are no sounds, except for the gentle waves. You gaze around and all you see is the turquoise ocean and the deep blue sky. The sun and breeze work together to keep you warm and cool at the same time …. Then you snap out of it and realize you are sitting at your desk, looking at the beach screensaver on your computer screen.
Well, let me tell you, that place is real . . . It’s called Bahia de las Aguilas.
Arguably the best beach in all of the Dominican Republic, Bahia de las Aguilas, or Eagle Bay, is certainly the most pristine, breath-taking beach in the south! With its crystal clear waters, powdery white sand, little to no waves, and its location within a bay, this beach is your screensaver come to life!
Bahia de las Aguilas is a virgin beach, not easily accessible from the main road, with few amenities. Is it worth the effort to get there? Absolutely. This comprehensive guide will answer all of your questions about how to take a trip to this tranquil oasis as easily as possible.
What is so unique about Bahia de las Aguilas?
Why is it called Bahia de las Aguilas or Eagle Bay? Can eagles be found there? According to one longtime worker, the area received its name because of its aerial shape; it resembles an eagle in flight. While you may not see an eagle, the national park where Bahia de las Aguilas can be found is a habitat for numerous native, endemic, and migratory birds.
The bay is lined with 7 km (5 miles) of white-sand beaches that make up Bahia de las Aguilas. There is enough room so that multiple groups can enjoy the beach without running into each other.
The crystal clear waters make for an amazing snorkeling experience. You are sure to see cushion sea stars (like the one below), among other marine life, decorating the ocean floor.
Photo Credit: McCann Made Design Co.
Bahía de las Aguilas is found in the Jaragua National Park. The park was established in 1983 and is the largest protected area in the Caribbean. Jaragua National park provides a haven for wildlife and marine life and archaeological sites that record some of the earliest settlers of the island of Hispaniola. The park has been submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be a world heritage site and has already been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Bahia de las Aguilas is one of the few beaches left on the island where the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles come to lay their eggs. Check out this informative video from Kiskeya Life that explains the decreasing amount of turtles that come to the area. (Make sure to subscribe to Kiskeya Life’s YouTube channel. You can definitely go down a rabbit hole there, and I fully advise it…AFTER reading this post) Organizations like Grupo Jaragua work hard to protect the new generation of turtles and allow them to make it to the sea.
This precious area will not always remain this serene, off-the-grid paradise for eco-tourism lovers. Find out why later on in the article. But first, what do you need to know for your next trip to Bahia de las Aguilas?
How to get to Bahia de las Aguilas?
USE A TOUR GUIDE:
If you are not the kind of traveler that wants to plan every detail, we suggest using a private tour company to handle the arrangements. Here is our pick for a local tour guide that offers personalized, informative tours of the Deep South of the Dominican Republic, including Bahia de las Aguilas:
Terra Tour Costa Sur
Phone/WhatsApp: 829-314-3679
Languages: Spanish, Italian (English interpreter possible)
HOW TO DRIVE TO BAHIA DE LAS AGUILAS
Bahia de las Aguilas is located in the region of Cabo Rojo, accessible from La Cueva de las Pescadores and is a 3+ hour drive from Barahona.
Barahona to the entrance of Cabo Rojo:
The entrance from the main road to Cabo Rojo from Barahona is 110km (2.25 hours). This scenic journey will take you along the coast, with the sea on one side and mountains on the other. It’s a beautiful drive that will take you through small towns so you can observe local life up close and personal. Be alert when driving on this road, as there are some sharp curves, speed bumps as well as large buses, trucks and plenty of motorcycles that share the road.
The entrance of Cabo Rojo to La Cueva:
La Cueva de los Pescadores is a 14km (30+ min) drive from the main road, Route 44. This road starts out paved but eventually turns into a gravel road with lots of dips. Any vehicle can make it down this road, but it must be taken at very slow speeds. You will drive through what looks like a deserted area, filled with cacti and other arid plant life. You most definitely will think you are going the wrong way at some point, but follow the signs and eventually, you will see the water and know you are close. Soon you will see the two glamping sites and boats on the beach. You have arrived!
Photo Credit: Listin Diario
La Cueva to Bahia de las Aguilas:
From La Cueva de las Pescadores, Bahia de las Aguilas is accessible by boat, a 5km hike, or a drive over the hill. This drive used to be only accessible by 4x4 vehicles, recently though, the road has been improved so that any kind of vehicle can pass…carefully.
While the view from the top of the hill is an amazing one, our favorite and stress free way to travel to Bahia is the boat leaving from Playa de La Cueva.
BOAT TRANSPORT TO BAHIA DE LAS AGUILAS
Hold on to your hats, this is going to be a windy ride. The boat ride from La Cueva de las Pescadores, or the fisherman’s cave, to Bahia de las Aguilas is a thrilling journey through the rock formations in the water. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a boat to deliver you to a virgin beach and leave you there. Don’t worry, they always come back to get you at a designated time.
Photo Credit: Terra Tour Costa Sur
Glamping EcoLodge Cueva de las Aguilas is a glamping site with a restaurant that also provides transportation by boat to Bahia de las Aguilas. The boats provide transport from 8:30 am-5:30 pm. You will be provided with a life jacket. The boat ride takes around 15-20 minutes. The boat ride (round-trip) starts at $3,175 DOP or about $60 USD for a group of 5 people or less.
On the ride to the beach, the captain will often take the even more scenic path through giant boulders in the water and explain a few secret spots. The captain will drop you off in a private area of the beach at Bahia de las Aguilas. You will agree on a time that the captain will return to pick you up.
You can reserve your boat online and pay directly at the front desk at Glamping EcoLodge Cueva de las Aguilas. There are all-inclusive type packages that also include tables, chairs, an umbrella, snorkeling equipment, and food. Details can be found below. Check out their site or contact them directly for more additional information.
Website: Cueva de Las Aguilas Phone/WhatsApp: 849-259-0926 Email: tours@cuevadelasaguilasrd.com
ENTRANCE FEE:
There is a small entrance fee for Jaragua National Park. The one-time fee is $150 DOP or around $3 USD per person to come for the day or to spend the night(s). You will be directed to pay this fee at a small hut across the road from Glamping Ecolodge Cueva de las Aguilas. You will then be given a wristband to where during your stay at the park.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING BAHIA DE LAS AGUILAS?
A day at the beach at Bahia de las Aguilas is a day you won’t forget! It’s also a very long day. Some people make the drive from Barahona and back in one day, but we don’t advise that. If possible, plan your trip accordingly for an overnight stay (or two) in Cabo Rojo or Pedernales.
Check out this post for detailed information about the area’s house rentals, budget hotels, camping, and glamping options. This is a MUST READ for those looking for accommodations when visiting Bahia de las Águilas.
TRAVEL TIPS:
Try to avoid travel in the summer months, July-September, the heat can be brutal, even at night.
The middle of the week is better for a stay at the campsite or even a day trip to the beach, rather than the weekend. The prices are less expensive and the area can get VERY crowded on the weekends.
Do NOT visit on a holiday in the Dominican Republic, the crowds are insane.
See the infographic for the 2024 holidays in the Dominican Republic
Wear plenty of mosquito repellant, especially in the evening and the early morning. The mosquitos and no-see-ums can be ruthless at the campsites. A few bites from these bad boys and your trip can be ruined! You may choose to fumigate your tent for other creepy crawlies before you move in.
Bring your own snacks and liquor. There are restaurants in the area, but when those munchies set in, there are limited options. Bring chips, nuts, trail mix, whatever your heart desires. A bottle of wine to enjoy by the bonfire isn’t a bad idea either.
Stay hydrated! The sun is powerful in the deep south and can dehydrate you without you even knowing it. Drink plenty of water with some added electrolytes if possible.
Protect yourself from the sun. Apply and reapply sunscreen (that is safe for the reef) and wear a hat when you can. (Though watch that hat if you take the boat to Bahia. Many hats have been known to fly off in the wind).
Bring good, hard-sole shoes. At Bahia de las Aguilas beach, there is no restroom. Camping bathroom rules apply here. When you go into the tree area to handle your business, wear shoes and watch your step because there are cacti and other prickly plants laying on the sand.
Even a cloudy day at Bahia de las Aguilas is a good day. In fact, as powerful as the sun is, you may want a few clouds.
WHAT TO BRING?
This is an adventure travel trip! There aren’t any stores to purchase items while at the beach. For that reason, we have a few suggestions on what to bring with you to Bahia de las Aguilas:
Water, water, and more water!
Cooler
Snacks and beverages of choice
Mosquito repellent
Sunscreen (reef-friendly)
Sunburn relief
Portable hammock
Towel (quick-dry)
Portable battery charger - We love this one!
Beach mat
Waterproof camera
Beach toys
Hard-sole/water shoes
Waterproof Bluetooth speaker
Kindle Paperwhite (waterproof) or a book to read
Snorkel mask
If you are camping/glamping near Bahia de Las Aguilas, check out these additional items to bring:
Bug spray (to fumigate tent)
Sleep mask with headphones
Toiletry bag
Secret Salt Flats
If this gorgeous virgin beach isn’t enough adventure for you, then might I suggest going on an adventure to find the salt flat (or salt pan) in the area. These aren’t widely known about, but truly a unique sight to see if you are up for it.
A salt flat is a dried-up body of water. Since the area of Bahia de las Aguilas is a desert, the water evaporated into vapor faster than it is replenished by rain, leaving a salt crust on the surface.
If you are taking a boat to the beach, ask the captain to take you a bit closer to where the area with salt can be found. He may want a tip for taking you farther. The salt flats can be found right behind the trees. Look for the shortest path through the trees with the least amount of plant life.
Caution: The tree area that separates this salt flat and the beach is filled with a variety of cacti and plants that produce sandburs, a seedpod covered in prickly spikes that stick! Be sure to wear shoes with a hard sole for this excursion. Be very mindful where you step!
If it has rained, then the salt flat will be moist. You can pick it up by the handful and give yourself an exfoliation treatment! If the weather has been dry, then the salt will be a hard crust on the surface. It’s like walking on a frozen lake, in the middle of the desert, next to the ocean. It doesn’t get more bizarre than that!
Is Bahia de las Aguilas worth the effort?
