Fishing in La Altagracia Province

Situated on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, La Altagracia Province is the country’s most popular tourist region, thanks to its world-renowned beach resorts in Punta Cana, Bávaro, and Cap Cana. While most visitors come for the all-inclusive luxury, the province is also a hotbed of sportfishing, drawing serious anglers from around the globe to its fertile offshore waters. The area benefits from its location along the Mona Passage, a deep marine channel between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. These unique oceanographic conditions fuel a thriving marine ecosystem and make La Altagracia one of the top billfish destinations in the Caribbean. Add in modern marinas, excellent charter fleets, and easy international access via Punta Cana International Airport, and it’s clear why this region is often dubbed the Caribbean’s fishing capital.

La Altagracia is especially famous for its billfish — with blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish all regularly caught in its offshore waters. White marlin are most common from March to June, while blue marlin dominate from July to October. Sailfish can be found year-round, with spikes in early spring and late fall. Beyond the billfish, anglers also target mahi-mahi (dorado), wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and king mackerel, which provide exciting action and excellent table fare. Closer to shore, barracuda, snapper, grouper, and jacks are abundant on the reefs, offering more casual fishing opportunities for novice anglers or mixed groups.

Trolling is the dominant method offshore, with spreads of skirted lures, rigged baits, and teasers drawing in marlin and sailfish. Captains typically use 20- to 50-pound gear, depending on target species, and many practice catch-and-release for billfish in line with IGFA conservation guidelines. Bottom fishing over reefs with baited rigs or vertical jigs is effective for snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers, and many charters combine this with trolling for a mixed bag. Live baiting with ballyhoo or blue runners is common for kingfish and wahoo near reef drop-offs. Light tackle enthusiasts can enjoy inshore fishing for barracuda and jacks, while fly fishing and spinning are possible in calm reef-protected shallows on the right days.