Grain Facilities Archives - World's Best Beaches

Cane Bay Beach - The Best Beach on St. Croix

Cane Bay is the best beach on St. Croix. Why? It ranks best with sunbathers, snorkel enthusiasts, for walking, and is a perfect “kids” beach. Pictures don’t do it justice. The one thing you may note about the Virgin Islands is that the humidity can creep up there a bit. But when you’re in paradise, what really matters is the visual and the sun. A little humidity now and then never hurt anybody, Mom would say.

You can easily reach Cane Bay Beach from the main road. Parking is ample. You’ll share this beauty of a beach with world class scuba divers. Divers come from all over the world to experience what lies a few hundred yards offshore - “The Cane Bay Wall“. If you have dived the Cane Bay Wall, please let us know by filling out our contact form in the menu area. And if you have pictures to share, let us know and we’ll post them here with links to your site.

saThe Cane Bay Wall is where the ocean floor simply plunges to over 10,000 feet in a matter of yards. Look down and you’ll only see the sun glints as they are swallowed by the sheer darkness. But the beauty is in the wall of coral that hugs Cane Bay. It is simply one of the best dives in the world.

But back to the beach!

Spend the day at Cane Bay Beach, or just the afternoon, but make sure you are here for the sunset. And you will have no problem finding a great place to hang out, munch on some snack food and take God’s handiwork. You can come back tomorrow and start the whole experience over again. Yes, it’s “that” good.

Note, there’s another Cane Bay Beach in Tortola. While you’re in the Caribbean, you could check that one out or just view our review.

Cane Bay Beach Index:

Sand - soft, white, fine/medium grain
Facilities - full-service
Shade - adult trees/palms, umbrellas available
Sports - center on site
Notes - surf can get to 3 to 4 feet; excellent snorkeling, diving

One more island group to visit with St. John, USVI - Next! >>

Playa Sosua, Puerto Plata - Dominican Republic

Playa Sosua, near Puerto Plata, and the Playa Dorada, is probably one of the main tourist attractions in the north. The beautiful turquoise of the Atlantic, and the great expanse of the white sands lends to a magic that one must experience in person. Sosua Beach is perfect for that long stroll - so inviting to just send your cares away on the next set of waves.

Whereas Europeans tend to visit the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana and surrounds, North Americans have been returning to the Puerto Plata area. With the golfing at Dorada, and the tranquility of Playa Sosua - it’s little wonder.

Lush mountains make their way down to the coconut palms that line Sosua Beach. A few hotel complexes (much fewer than neighboring Dorada) jut into the sand as if to hold the beach in place. And you can still see the silver-gray trees whose leaves Columbus saw in 1502 and named this bay area “Silver Port” - Puerto Plata. There are still remnants of Columbus around the Dominican Republic. In fact there is so much still to be discovered, who knows when the next big find will happen. It wasn’t too many years ago that an Italian fellow found an ancient pirate ship near La Romana, while swimming near the beach on a cruise ship excursion. Yes - grab your snorkel and fins. You could be next!

The beach here is lined with shrubs, those coconut palms and an occasional tropical almond tree. Mixed with the normal vendors who walk the beaches, you’ll find those gals who braid hair for next to nothing so your daughter can wear them back home as a reminder of the fun in the sun.

Playa Sosua - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - rich, golden medium grain.
Facilities - full service.
Shade - palms and umbrellas.
Sports - all types, operators standing by.
Notes - much quieter than Playa Dorada.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opdcBjVRLOI

No way you could have told me there would be another awesome beach in Puerto Plata. It just gets better and better, and Sosua is no exception. Fun and beautiful, almost childlike, the waves and sand play a melody throughout the day that will have you dreaming on your beach chair in no time flat. Bring the camera. This one is awesome!

Playa Rincon, Samana - Dominican Republic

Las Galeras, the once small fishing village has awakened. It was once untouched, with a natural beauty found only in the most remote spots. But, because it is close to the city of Samana, wealthy Dominicans made it their weekend paradise.

Since that time, Las Galeras has been set on the map mainly by abundance of beaches and the landscape that is majestic and simple, all at the same time. Las Galeras Beach is here, as well as the more famous Playa Rincon. And people are awakening to see that this is prime ocean front property with beautiful year-round weather in a country with a stable government, and far away from it all. What more could you ask for? Oh, and the problem with mosquitoes? Ask me what they’re doing to combat them. Pretty high tech!

Rincon is a quiet beach, usually deserted, on a small bay - but with no hotels in site. And, no vendors, booths, signs, radios - all the paraphernalia that comes with a popular beach. Nearby, a fresh-water lagoon to rinse off in. Sweet.

You don’t need a boat to get to Playa Rincon, Dominican Republic. You can get a taxi out of Las Terrenas or Samana to Las Galeras. Just before Las Galeras you’ll see the turn-off to Playa Rincon. The road is pretty rugged from here, so plan accordingly (timewise). If you do have the time, plan a stop at one of the local eateries and experience what food in this neck of the woods is like. You won’t find more hospitable people than Dominicans. They know what they have and they are proud of it. This is pretty close to paradise. Just look.

So plan to eat at Playa Rincon as the fish and langosta are reportedly the best in the Dominican Republic. And, if time permits, take a tour down to beautiful Playa Bonita. It’s romantic and peaceful.

But any place along the shore is simply breathtaking and well worth your visit. See if you can book online for a week or month and spend time here getting to know the whole concept of living in the Caribbean.

Maybe Columbus didn’t have it so bad?

Las Terrenas is busy; Las Galeras somewhat less, and Playa Rincon is sleepy. Enjoy.

Playa Rincon - Beach Index:

Sand - medium grain.
Facilities - few, some food huts.
Shade - palms, trees.
Sports - none.
Notes - pretty deserted - enjoy!

When I visited this area earlier this year, I was so impressed, I’ve decided to invest in real estate here. A nice home right on the beach would suit me fine. OK, doesn’t have to be year-round or when the hurricanes are moving in, but it would be paradise to get away from the rat race. And did I mention the cost of living here is cheap?

A very special thanks to Tony van der Heijden of Immomexx for these pictures. Please visit his site http://www.dr2007.com/ for information about Real Estate in this super hot area of the Dominican Republic.