Catalina Island (Dominicana)

Catalina Island (officially Isla Catalina) is located off the southeastern coast of Dominican Republic, opposite the resort and port town La Romana. Watersports and beautiful beaches are among the main features of the island. Tourists can take the 45-min ferry ride to La Romana on the mainland and enjoy the facilities of Casa de Campo resort or take various excursions. Santo Domingo, New World's oldest colonial city, is also worth a visit. Passengers can take a tour of the artist Altos de Chavon village or explore Chavon River which was the spot for the film "Apocalypse Now".

Web searching for "Isla Catalina" often results in finding three Catalina-named islands - the namesakes Isla Catalina (Baja Mexico) and Isla Catalina (Dominican Republic) and the Santa Catalina Island (California USA).

Catalina Island is 2,5 km (1,5 mi) from mainland Dominican Republic's southeast corner, close to La Romana and La Altagracia. The island is a popular tourist travel destination with daily tour boats leaving from La Romana. The beach has white fine sand and crystal clear water. The sea has corals close to the shore which attracts tourists for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Isla Catalina as eco-system features mangroves, sand dunes, reefs. Its highest elevation point is 18 m (60 ft) above sealevel. The island is an occasional destination for ships on Caribbean routes. Costa Cruises has its own private beach on the island. Costa ships anchor in open sea and transport their passengers via the ship's tender boats.

Catalina Island cruise terminal