Most guests discover the marina by accident. They take a golf cart out after dinner, follow the lights, and find themselves somewhere that looks nothing like the Dominican Republic — or, for that matter, like any marina they’ve visited before. A cobblestone piazza. Italian restaurant terraces strung with warm light. Superyachts moored alongside sport-fishing boats. Cigar smoke and sea breeze in equal measure.
Casa de Campo® Resort’s marina is not an afterthought. It is, for many guests, the highlight of the entire trip — and the detail most conspicuously missing from the resort brochures they read before arrival.
This guide covers everything villa guests need to know about the marina in 2026: how to get there, where to eat, what to do on the water, how to spend an evening, and what to book in advance so you don’t miss out.
What Is Casa de Campo Marina?
The Marina Casa de Campo® sits at the point where the Chavón River meets the Caribbean Sea, roughly three kilometres from the resort’s main village by golf cart. Completed in 2001 and designed by Italian architect Gianfranco Fini, it was modelled on the old seaside villages of the Mediterranean — specifically the coastal aesthetic of Portofino in Liguria. The result is an unlikely juxtaposition that somehow works completely: whitewashed buildings with terracotta roofs, bougainvillea climbing stone walls, and 370 yacht berths stretching out behind it all.
At 90,000 square metres, it is one of the largest private marinas in the Caribbean. It can accommodate vessels from 30 to 250 feet with a draft of up to 16 feet — which is why you’ll routinely see superyachts moored here that wouldn’t fit in most Caribbean facilities. The IBC Shipyard on-site is rated among the most technically advanced in the region, holding Gold-rated Azimut service centre status and membership in the Benetti Service Network.
But for villa guests who don’t arrive by sea, the technical specifications are beside the point. What matters is that this is a fully realised destination within a destination — with its own restaurants, bars, boutiques, watersports operators, and atmosphere — and that most people staying at Casa de Campo don’t spend nearly enough time here.
Getting to the Marina from Your Villa
The marina is accessible by golf cart from any villa in the resort. From most properties in the Golf Villa I Phase, the journey takes around 10 to 15 minutes along well-lit internal roads. From Dye Fore villas, the drive is closer to 20 minutes, with a particularly scenic stretch along the clifftop before you descend toward the water.
The resort’s shuttle service also runs to the marina throughout the day and into the evening — check with your villa concierge for current timings, as these can vary by season. Alternatively, Casa de Campo taxis (available on the resort app or through the concierge) make the run in under 10 minutes from most locations.
Parking is available at the marina entrance for guests who prefer to drive. If you’re planning an evening at Piazza Portofino, arriving by golf cart around sunset and returning after dinner is the most popular approach — and the most rewarding.
Dining at the Marina: Where to Eat and Drink
The marina’s restaurant scene is anchored around the Piazza Portofino, a central cobblestone square flanked by six restaurants and bars. This is where the resort’s social life gravitates on most evenings — a mix of guests, yacht crews, and local residents, particularly on weekends. Reservations are advisable for Friday and Saturday nights in high season (December through April).
La Casita
La Casita is the marina’s signature seafood restaurant, positioned with an unobstructed view over the water. The kitchen focuses on Dominican and Spanish food — fresh catches, ceviche, grilled whole fish — with the quality of the ingredient doing most of the work. The sunset position is exceptional: the terrace faces west, and in the golden hour before dark, the combination of the yacht masts, the colour of the water, and the Caribbean breeze makes this one of the more memorable dinner settings in the country. Book a terrace table for 7pm and you’ll understand why guests keep returning.
SBG
SBG is the marina’s most contemporary dining option — a seafood-forward restaurant with a menu built around regional fish, ceviches, tiraditos, and hot appetisers that lean toward Asian-Caribbean fusion. The cooking is precise and the cocktail list is excellent. It tends to attract a younger crowd and stays livelier later in the evening. If you’re planning to move from dinner to drinks without changing venues, SBG is the natural choice.
Limoncello
For guests who want Italian, Limoncello delivers: homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a wine list that takes the cuisine seriously. It’s the most relaxed of the main marina restaurants in terms of atmosphere — good for families with children, or for guests who want a quieter evening after an active day on the water. The truffle pasta and the pizza bianca with prosciutto are consistently well-regarded.
The Piazza Portofino bars and cafés
The main piazza supports several amazing restaurants like Shibuya, Peperoni, Causa, bars, ice cream parlours, and cafés that operate from mid-morning through late evening. The gelato counter draws a crowd throughout the afternoon; the bars take over from sunset. This is the right place for a pre-dinner Aperol spritz or a post-dinner cigar — a selection of Dominican cigars is available at the tobacco shop on the square, and the quality-to-price ratio significantly undercuts what you’d pay at a hotel bar.
Shopping at the Marina
The marina’s retail area runs along the waterfront promenade and through the piazza, with more than 20 boutique shops covering swimwear, resort wear, jewellery, art, furniture, sunglasses, gifts, and cigars. It is not a duty-free complex but the boutiques stock pieces that are hard to find elsewhere, including handmade Dominican jewellery and local artisan work, which makes for a more considered gift than airport shopping.
There is also a well-stocked supermarket on the marina grounds, useful for villa guests who want to pick up groceries, wine, or supplies without making the drive into La Romana town. Hours run from roughly 8am to 9pm, though this can vary.
Watersports and Excursions from the Marina
The marina is the operational base for virtually all of Casa de Campo’s water-based activities. Whether you book through the resort’s concierge or directly with operators at the dock, the range of options is wider than most guests expect.
Deep-Sea Fishing
The waters off La Romana are among the most productive sport-fishing grounds in the Caribbean, and the marina’s active fishing club runs charters year-round. The primary quarry is blue marlin and white marlin, though a full day on the water will typically also encounter wahoo, sailfish, dorado (mahi mahi), barracuda, and snapper. Full-day charters typically depart at 7am and return by 3pm; half-day options are available for guests with less time or younger children on board.
The fishing is predominantly catch-and-release for marlin, in line with international conservation practice, though snapper and dorado are commonly kept and can be prepared by your villa chef on request. Charters include all equipment and are guided by crews with decades of experience on these waters. Book at least 48 hours in advance during peak season.
Snorkelling and Day Trips to Catalina and Saona
Two of the Caribbean’s most visited islands — Isla Catalina and Isla Saona — are accessible by charter boat from the marina, and both reward the journey. Isla Catalina, roughly 45 minutes offshore, is known for its coral reef and clear visibility; the snorkelling off the reef wall on the island’s leeward side regularly produces sea turtles and reef sharks alongside the usual tropical fish. Isla Saona, further east and part of the Parque Nacional del Este, is a protected natural area with white sand beaches that draw a steady stream of catamaran excursions from the marina.
Private charters to both islands are available and considerably more comfortable than the group catamaran day trips if budget allows. A private charter to Catalina for a half-day, including snorkel gear and a crew, is one of the best-value luxury experiences in the resort — the island itself is rarely crowded before 11am.
Sailing and Yacht Charters
For guests who want to spend time on the water without a specific destination, sailing and motoryacht charters can be arranged directly from the marina. Options range from half-day sails along the coastline to full-day cruises with snorkelling stops and a crew-prepared lunch on board. Hobie Wave catamarans and paddleboards are available for rental by the hour directly from the marina dock for something more independent.
Sunset cruises — typically two hours, departing around 5pm — are particularly popular and worth booking a few days in advance. The coastline as seen from the water at dusk, with the Chavón River bluffs behind the marina and the resort lights beginning to reflect on the sea, is a distinctly different view of Casa de Campo from the one guests have from shore.
The Marina After Dark
The marina’s evening energy is different from the resort’s main village. It is less contained, more sociable, and — particularly on Friday and Saturday nights — considerably more animated. By 9pm on a busy weekend, the piazza is full and the bar at SBG or the tables outside La Casita are occupied by a cross-section of guests, yacht owners, and Dominican locals who have driven out from La Romana specifically for the atmosphere.
Live music appears at the center of the piazza on select evenings — the schedule varies by season, so it’s worth asking the concierge or checking the resort’s weekly events board. During the Christmas and New Year period, the marina hosts outdoor events and themed evenings that are among the most festive experiences at Casa de Campo.
For guests who want to extend the evening, the marina bars typically run until midnight or beyond at weekends. Getting back to your villa is straightforward — resort taxis run on call until at least 1am, and most guests find it easier to book a return pickup rather than wait for the shuttle.
For Yacht Owners: Berths and Technical Facilities
If you’re arriving at Casa de Campo by sea, the marina offers 370 berths on concrete docks with wooden catwalks, each equipped with water, electricity, and cable TV connections. Fuel (gasoline and diesel) is available dockside. The marina’s technical facilities include a travel lift with a capacity of up to 300 tonnes, a fully equipped ship chandler, laundry facilities, and the IBC Shipyard — a full-service repair and refit centre with specialist capacity in Azimut and Benetti vessels.
For vessels requiring more technical work, the shipyard is widely regarded as the best-equipped facility north of Trinidad and south of Florida. It is a common stop on the Caribbean circuit for superyachts in transit between Europe and the southern islands.
Berth reservations and technical inquiries: adm@marinacasadecampo.com.do / +1 809 523 2247.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the marina free to visit for Casa de Campo villa guests?
Yes. Villa guests staying at Casa de Campo Resort can access the marina, its restaurants, shops, and public areas without any additional entrance fee. The resort access fee (which covers use of the beaches and resort facilities) includes marina access. Individual services — restaurant meals, boat charters, watersports rentals — are charged separately.
How far is the marina from Minitas Beach?
Minitas Beach and the marina are at opposite ends of the resort. The drive between the two takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes by golf cart, depending on your starting point. Most guests visit the beach during the day and the marina in the evening.
Do I need to book marina restaurants in advance?
For Friday and Saturday evenings between December and April, reservations are strongly recommended — all restaurants fill quickly during high season. Weeknight dinners in low season (May through November) are typically available without a reservation, though calling ahead is always advisable for larger groups.
What is the best time of day to visit the marina?
Sunset is the marina’s prime hour — from roughly 5:30pm to 7pm, the light is extraordinary, the piazza comes to life, and the activity on the water is at its peak. For shopping and watersports bookings, mid-morning (10am to noon) is the most practical time. For a quieter lunch with good service, weekday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm are ideal.
Related Reading
- Casa de Campo for Families: The Complete Guide
- Teeth of the Dog Golf Course: The Complete Visitor Guide
- Browse Casa de Campo Villa Rentals
If you’re planning a 2026 stay at Casa de Campo and want help choosing a villa with easy marina access, contact the Caribbean Paradise Homes team — we know the resort well and can match you to the right property for your itinerary.