Playa Rincon

Hidden from the rest of the peninsula by the upper prong at its easternmost end, Playa Rincón boasts the top Samaná beach bar none. Follow the signposted paved road north for approximately 8km from the Samaná-Las Galeras road, and then turn right, in a tiny pueblo, onto a rocky dirt road that leads onto the beach (4x4 recommended). Alternatively take a boat from Las Galeras, departing at 9am from Dive Samaná, Casa Marina Bay Resort ; US$10. Of all the warm, clear waters on the island, Rincón has the very finest - moderately deep with manageable waves and a bright turquoise transparency that can't be matched - combined with a three-kilometre stretch of whiter-than-white sand and a sprawling coconut forest behind it. For now the only buildings are a couple of Dominican fish shacks serving fresh seafood at both ends of the beach; check prices before eating but expect to pay around RD$100 per person. This is an eminently more enjoyable day out than Cayo Levantado.

Picture from Playa Rincon