Playa Macao, Punta Cana
Overview
Playa Macao is a public beach on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, north of Bávaro and south of Uvero Alto, about twenty minutes by road from the main resort area of Punta Cana. Unlike most of this coast, it is largely undeveloped: the shoreline is backed by limestone cliffs, vegetation and the small village of Macao, with local restaurants, seafood stalls and surf schools on the sand, and a single large resort, Dreams Macao Beach, on part of the bay.
Visitors can park close to the beach and walk straight onto the sand without passing through a hotel. Facilities are basic: there are restrooms and outdoor showers, and loungers and umbrellas are rented by local vendors.
Our current condition score for this beach is .
Photo summary of last month
Each photograph is published unedited and in date order, and is replaced as newer submissions arrive, so what appears here is the most recent view of the beach rather than a promotional photograph.
Macao faces the open Atlantic, so its photographs are a useful comparison with the sheltered resort beaches of Bávaro and Arena Gorda on the same day.
Position relative to the Atlantic sargassum belt
The east coast of the Dominican Republic faces the Atlantic sargassum belt directly, and arrivals here can be heavy in the season. Macao is more open to the ocean than the reef-sheltered resort beaches to the south, so wind direction on the day plays a large part in what reaches the sand. The dated photographs above show the beach as it actually was.
The sargassum season
On the Dominican coast the heaviest arrivals usually fall between spring and late summer, and the winter months are generally quieter. Volumes and timing vary considerably from one year to the next, so recent photographs are a better guide than the calendar.
Surfing and activities
Macao is one of the main surfing beaches of the Punta Cana area, with steadier waves than the sheltered beaches further south. Surf schools on the beach give lessons and rent boards to beginners and intermediate surfers. The beach is also the usual end point of the buggy, ATV and horseback tours that run through the countryside behind it, which can make it busy around midday.
Swimming conditions and safety
The water is more exposed than at Bávaro, with waves and, on some days, a strong pull. Lifeguard cover is limited, so swimmers should stay close to shore and take particular care with children.
Access and getting there
Macao is reached by road from Bávaro and the Uvero Alto resort area, with parking near the sand. Many visitors arrive on an organised buggy or ATV excursion, which includes transport from the hotels.
Check live conditions before you go
On the live map we track Playa Macao with dated photographs and a current condition score, which makes it easy to compare with Bávaro, Arena Gorda and Uvero Alto on the same morning.
See live conditions, photos & cams →