We had a smooth 80+ mile passage across the Mona Passage, a notoriously rough open water passage which connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Immediately upon arrival in the Dominican Republic (DR), we were boarded by Immigration, Customs, Navy, and Department of Agriculture, all of whom had their requisite paperwork and fee(s).

Boats travelling in the Dominican Republic must obtain a “Despacho” (written permission to travel between ports) from the DR Navy prior to every departure. Cruising up the east coast of the Dominican Republic, and westward across its north coast, we pulled into three ports: Marina Cap Cana , in Punta Cana; Puerto Bahia Marina, in Samana; and Ocean World Marina, in Puerto Plata. We had visited, and wrote about, each of these ports on our journey south [See Puerto Plato, Domincan Republic (2015) and Samana & Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2015)], so this post will be brief, and utilized only to share some updated photos and anecdotes from our most recent visit.

MARINA CAP CANA, PUNTA CANA (April 2018)

Cap Cana Marina & Resort, Dominican Republic

Waterside dining & infinity pool, Cap Cana Marina, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

The boys had more than enough outdoor activities to keep them busy.

Beachside tennis courts, Cap Cana Marina, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Resort, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

Cap Cana Marina & Beach Resort, Dominican Republic

PUERTO BAHIA MARINA, SAMANA (April 2018)

Puerto Bahia Marina is an idyllic full service resort marina tucked away in the north end of Samana Bay. While we were there, we encountered a lovely young couple, Doug and Roxanna, vacationing from Georgia, U.S.A., who recognized us solely from having read our blog. Avid boaters themselves, with cruising dreams of their own, Doug & Roxanna reviewed our blog searching for information on cruising the Caribbean. It was nice to hear that our blog has provided relevant information and inspired others to follow their cruising dreams. Fair winds Doug and Roxanna!

Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

There was no shortage of activities in Puerto Bahia.

Billiard room, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

Billiard room, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

Infinity Pool, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

R&R in the game room, Puerto Bahia Marina, Dominican Republic

Ryan ready for chess, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

Ocean Club, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

Ocean Club infinity pool, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic

I was once again, astounded to see how much the boys had grown since our last visit to the Dominican Republic on our southbound journey in 2015.

Ronan & Ryan, Ocean Club infinity pool, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic (2015)

Ryan & Ronan, Ocean Club infinity pool, Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana, Dominican Republic (2018)

OCEAN WORLD MARINA, PUERTO PLATA (April 2018)

Ocean World Marina, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Ocean World Marina, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Ocean World Marina & Casino, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Ocean World Marina & Casino, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Sunrise departure, Ocean World Marina, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

We staged in Ocean World until the next appropriate weather window. Continuing our journey north from the Dominican Republic, we next set our course to Big Sand Cay, Turks and Caicos …