The island of Catalina, off La Romana in the Dominican Republic, is preparing to welcome a new seaside destination designed to highlight its natural heritage and offer visitors a superior experience: it will be named Catalina Sugar Beach, and it will be the result of a major redevelopment promoted by the MSC Group, with the aim of turning the area into a premier Caribbean destination.
The opening is scheduled for November 2026, when the new facility will be ready to welcome guests from cruise ships, including those of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as guests of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. The management of the area will therefore take place in collaboration with CTL Maritime and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.
The project arises with a particular focus on the environmental context in which Catalina Sugar Beach sits: Catalina Island is recognized as a protected natural monument of the Dominican Republic and the renewal has been conceived to integrate with the landscape, enhancing its natural component without sacrificing new services dedicated to comfort and leisure.
Beaches, Sea, and New Opportunities to Discover Catalina
The white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters will form the backdrop for a proposal designed for both those who want to spend a day of relaxation and those who wish to explore the surrounding environment.
Catalina Sugar Beach will not be merely a place to stop by the shore: the excursion program will allow visitors to become more closely acquainted with the island and some of the attractions in its surroundings. Among the planned activities will be the opportunity to participate in a catamaran cruise or to engage in snorkeling.
The offering will also include boat trips to the nearby Saona Island, as well as visits to the Cave of Wonders and Altos de Chavón.
For those who prefer to stay on the beach and devote themselves entirely to relaxation, the project foresees new spaces and services designed to make the day more comfortable, including the cabanas, which can be reserved to experience Catalina Sugar Beach in a more secluded setting.
A New Offering Among Dining, Bars, and Relaxation
The gastronomic offering will have its centerpiece in an open-air pavilion facing the beach: the service will be arranged as a buffet and will feature international dishes alongside local specialties. Next to it, there will be a shaded area with outdoor tables, from which it will be possible to enjoy a panoramic view of the sea.
The bar service will also be enhanced: Catalina Sugar Beach will feature two bars, including an outdoor tropical palapa bar. The facility will provide guests with a shaded space to relax with a drink while continuing to enjoy the sea view.
The project also includes a center dedicated to water sports with rental equipment, conceived as a starting point to explore the crystal-clear waters that wash the island.
Renovated Facilities and a New Panoramic Trail
The redevelopment will also touch the infrastructures dedicated to guest services: changing rooms, showers, and restrooms will be modernized to create more comfortable and well-kept environments.
Among the improvements most linked to discovering the natural environment is the creation of a new panoramic trail which, crossing the island’s vegetation, will lead to a panoramic viewpoint from which it will be possible to admire the beach and the extraordinary Caribbean landscape.
Along the path, informational panels dedicated to the various tree species found in the area will be installed. Some elevated clearings will also allow for observation points on the landscape, adding to a day spent on the beach a chance to explore the nature of the island.
Catalina Sugar Beach and Caribbean Cruise Itineraries
The opening of Catalina Sugar Beach will be linked to MSC Cruises’ new Dominican Republic cruise program: from November 2026 the company will inaugurate weekly departures from the new La Romana embarkation port, introducing for the first time an all-year-round cruise offering in the southern Caribbean.
MSC Opera will call at Catalina Sugar Beach on every itinerary. The ship will offer weekly seven-night cruises, with the possibility of combining itineraries in a back-to-back 14-night arrangement.
But that’s not all. The new dream destination will also be included in a selection of Caribbean itineraries from Explora Journeys, and access will be available to guests of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, thereby expanding the potential audience beyond those tied to cruises.
