From my explorations...the best beaches on that stretch that I visited were Cabo Rojo/La Cueva and Bahia de Aguilas. They are all suitable for dipping/wading/swimming and clean for the most part. Bahia de Aguilas they recommend a 4x4 vehicle to drive to it (it is located inside of Parque Nacional de Jaragua) or you can take a boat from La Cueva, which I did. Very beautiful beach, no development...hopefully, it will stay that way. Cabo Rojo/La Cueva...you can find many spots to pull off and enjoy the beach stretches. When I went, it was just me and the two folks I was traveling with on a nice stretch of beach. IMO the SW Barahona Coast is the probably the most beautiful...the mountains literally seem like they fall into the sea, though as already stated most of the beaches are nice to look at, but not so much for swimming. I plan to go back and do some more exploring soon.
Bahia de Las Aguilas is an absolute stunner of a beach! Just back from there today.
We shared the 2 mile plus perfect sandy beach with crystal clear blue water with 7 other people today! Drove from La Cueva........dirt road is in good nick just before you drive down from the cliff there is a parking spot and they have put in paths to viewing points from the cliffs just before the beach. Superb swimming in that perfectly clear still water with a gentle slope out from the shore line. Like being in your own massive swimming pool with the deep end feathering out to sea. One word of advice there are a few trees to hide out of the fierce sun with your cooler full of beer, but better bring a parasol.
Untouched pristine beautiful and a beach much better than anything else in DR IMO.......yes for me better than Rincon, Coson, Macao and my personal previous favorite the picturesque La Valle.
Reminds me when I first stepped on Grace Bay in Providenciales Turks and Caicos back in 1984 when that was untouched. And they now say that is the worlds #1 but beach full of hotels.
DR has a gem here and so glad that the Meija government back in 2004 never went ahead with the then planned all-inclusive.
Staying in Paraiso in lovely little 5 bed hotel, Pirates del Carib.
All the advice was useful. Roads are good and being upgraded. This is great scenic part of DR still largely untouched by tourism.