Need your help!!!!!

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Denise

New member
May 12, 2002
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HI everyone,
I am hoping to get as much feed back as possible. After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to go to DR for our vacation. What I want in my vacation mainly is a wonderful beach. One that is clean, and has NO SEAWEED. I know that sounds ridiculous, but ever since I was young, I have had this seaweed phobia. It doesn't just gross me out, I won't go NEAR the water if it is in there. I know this sounds stupid....I am aware, but unfortunately, that is the way it is.
Anyway, I shared this info with a travel agent, and she said based on this, and our budget, she felt the DR would be our best bet. The pics and web sites show such beautiful beaches; they are breathtaking.
My question is; are they really as clean and clear as they look? Is there seaweed? Is the water calm/murky/rough,etc? HOw would you describe it? We are planning (haven't confirmed the hotel yet) to go to Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus. Is the beach here as gorgeous and clean as the pics show it as?
I am sorry for all of these questions, but the beach is the most important thing to me. I will be 100% happy sitting on the beach for 7 days and seeing that clear water in front of me...Really, all I want is to see beauty. That is why I liked what I saw in DR.
PLease, all of you that can share your experiences, please do! Tell me about this country, the beaches (which is the best, which is the worst), the people, the food, etc....
Thanks so much for your help!!!!! Please don't think I am an asshole about the seaweed thing...I hate that I feel that way, but I can't get over it.
Thanks,
Denise
P.S.
Feel free to e-mail me if you would like, or post here.
 
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MommC

On Vacation!
Mar 2, 2002
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Why would you say that Paul??

There are two beach areas in Juan Dolio....on that does have areas with sea grass (as opposed to seaweed) and one that is grass free.
There is also a lovely beach just 2 kilometres down the road in Guaycanes that is sea grass/ seaweed free.
I think if Jim Hinch reads this he will tell you that the beach in Boca Chica is also seaweed free. I really don't remember what the beach in Bayahibe is like (haven't been there since they built the resorts) but it used to be seaweed free as is the beautiful white sand beaches of Saona and Catalina Islands.
 
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ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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No Seaweed at Boca Chica

MommC said:
There are two beach areas in Juan Dolio....on that does have areas with sea grass (as opposed to seaweed) and one that is grass free.
There is also a lovely beach just 2 kilometres down the road in Guaycanes that is sea grass/ seaweed free.
I think if Jim Hinch reads this he will tell you that the beach in Boca Chica is also seaweed free. I really don't remember what the beach in Bayahibe is like (haven't been there since they built the resorts) but it used to be seaweed free as is the beautiful white sand beaches of Saona and Catalina Islands.
Click to expand...

I can't recall seaweed in the Boca Chica beach - certainly none on shore and the bottom as you wade in is small gravel and sand. Maybe way out ( 1 km) to the reef but the beach proper would be fine - perhaps the Hamaca or Don Juan both on the beach wold be good choices as they are quite tourist oriented.
 
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Jim Hinsch

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Jan 1, 2002
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All beaches get seaweed from time to time. Currents and storms carry it in. Most beaches in the tourist areas are routinely cleaned, often daily.

Boca Chica Beach in general not only has no sea weed, but no plant life of any kind until you reach the outskirts of the bay, which means snorkeling isn't good either except near the reef in very specific spots. But, nothing but clean sand and an occassional star fish underfoot.

On the other hand, this beach gets totally trashed every weekend. Garbage everywhere. It is mostly all cleaned by Monday morning but sometimes you'll see remnants.

Punta Cana beaches are hand racked every morning by the staff of the big hotels.

I can attest that most of the time, Boca Chica Beach looks just like in the pictures:

<a href="http://www.BocaChicaBeach.net/beach.html"><img border="0" src="http://www.BocaChicaBeach.net/images/logo.jpg" width="189" height="98"></a>
Click the Photo for more.
 
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Mcinbrass

Bronze
Jan 2, 2002
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You have made a great choice...

...in HAcienda Dominicus. Like in the previous post all beaches get seaweed. But Im sure your beach is bleaned every day. Youre going to love Bayahibe beach.
 
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Paul Thate

New member
Jan 11, 2002
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Jim Hinsch said:
Boca Chica Beach in general not only has no sea weed, but no plant life of any kind until you reach the outskirts of the bay, which means snorkeling isn't good either except near the reef in very specific spots. But, nothing but clean sand and an occassional star fish underfoot.

I only went once to BC beach .
the two things i noticed you had to walk for ever before it got deep enough to swimm
And wading through the water you had large dark spots of somesort of growths every where.
I presume its still there whats that then.?? If not seaweed some sort of plant life
or Jim was that only a once a year occurance?

And one time I was in a resort
passed La Romana and the beach and water had seaweed for the entire week.
Never had that on the east or north coasts ever.
Click to expand...
 
Hillbilly

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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Seaweeds, hummm

On the North Coast we have seagrasses, which is much different than seaweeds, like the otters play in on Discovery Channel.

Seagrass only grows in shallow areas, since it needs sunlight.
About all it does is get the beach dirty with grass clippings, like you have on your lawn..

I don't like walking in seagrass anyway. And it can be dangerous, since sea urchins walk around in there...

I do believe that you can experience a wonderful vacation, enjoying the water to the fullest and never have to worry about seaweeds....Especially at the place you have chosen.

Good trip!

HB
farmer.gif
 
D

Denise

New member
May 12, 2002
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Thanks so much for your replies!

I really appreciate you guys taking the time to respond. I am so excited about my upcoming trip! That picture was beautiful!! Was that the beach that I will be staying on?? I hope so!
I guess the reason why I am so concerned is because the travel brocures always look so beautiful, and the water so flawless...I am just hoping that it truley is as stunning as the the pictures portray.
Thanks again, and believe me, I will be looking on this forum daily, as I have so enjoyed reading about this beautiful country. It is very informative. Thanks again.
Denise
 
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Jim Hinsch

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Jan 1, 2002
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Paul Thate said:
[the two things i noticed you had to walk for ever before it got deep enough to swimm
And wading through the water you had large dark spots of somesort of growths every where.
I presume its still there whats that then.?? If not seaweed some sort of plant life or Jim was that only a once a year occurance?
Click to expand...

It really depends on where you were walking. Most of the area is nothing but clean sand underfoot with no plant life but those dark patches you mentioned do exist. Pretty much no dark patches in the part of the beach shown in the photo. Same with the shallowness. It depends on where you walk. In some areas, you can walk from the beach to the reef and it never gets more than 8 feet deep. In some areas, you can walk out 100 yards and it never gets more than 3 feet deep. In other areas, you walk out 25 yards and you'll hit depths of 10 feet deep or more. The depth varies significantly with the tide.
 
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