Catalina Island (Dominicana)

Catalina Island (port locode DOCAI), officially Isla Catalina, is located off the southeastern coast of the 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, the 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 (Dominicana) and the Santa Catalina Island (California USA).

Catalina Island is 2,5 km (1,5 mi) from the mainland Dominicana'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 fine white sand and crystal clear water. The sea has corals close to the shore, which attracts tourists for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Isla Catalina's ecosystem features mangroves, dunes, and reefs. Its highest elevation point is 18 m (60 ft) above sea level.

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 tenders/boats.

Catalina Sugar Beach (MSC Group + Casa de Campo Resort & Villas)

The Catalina Sugar Beach is a private/exclusive beach destination on Catalina Island, serving cruise ship tourists of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as guests staying at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.

Catalina Sugar Beach was developed and is operated through a partnership between CTL Maritime, the corporate subsidiary and port/destination development arm of the MSC Group, and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, which is owned by Central Romana Corporation, with majority control held by the Fanjul family (Miami).

Guest facilities and amenities include private cabanas, dining and beverage venues, changing rooms, showers and restrooms, as well as popular watersports activities. Catalina Sugar Beach also serves as a base for shore excursions and other off-ship experiences, including snorkeling and catamaran tours, boat trips to Saona Island, and visits to the Cave of Wonders and Altos de Chavon. A nature trail through the island offers visitors an opportunity to explore the local flora and surrounding landscape.

The Catalina Sugar Beach development project was part of MSC's broader expansion in the Caribbean, including its La Romana homeporting strategy. Beginning in November 2026, MSC will operate weekly Southern Caribbean roundtrip itineraries from La Romana, with MSC Opera calling at Catalina Sugar Beach on every itinerary. MSC's luxury brand, Explora Journeys, also includes Catalina Sugar Beach on selected Caribbean voyages.

Catalina Island cruise terminal