Starting on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Puerto Plata Prevention, Mitigation and Response Committee (CPMR) has formally raised red hazard flags across the full stretch of the province’s Atlantic-facing coastline, issuing an immediate, indefinite ban on all in-water activities to counter rapidly escalating dangerous sea conditions driven by a powerful incoming swell. The unusual marine event has generated unusually high, forceful breaking waves and unpredictable, fast-moving rip currents that pose an extreme drowning risk for even experienced swimmers and seasoned local fishers. The sweeping restrictions apply to all public and private shoreline areas spanning the communities of Sabaneta de Yásica, Cabarete, Sosúa, Montellano, San Felipe de Puerto Plata, Maimón, Luperón, and select coastal zones in Villa Isabela. Local governance and public safety agencies have explicitly prohibited swimming, all recreational water sports, and nearshore artisanal and commercial fishing within the flagged zones until formal all-clear notices are distributed. Public safety officials are additionally warning both permanent residents and out-of-town tourists to maintain a safe distance from unprotected breakwaters, concrete seawalls, jagged rocky shore outcrops, and the immediate high-tide line, and to comply immediately with all on-site guidance issued by Dominican Civil Defense teams, Dominican Republic Navy patrol units, and local municipal first responders. The CPMR notes that the red flag designation will remain active until ongoing marine monitoring confirms sea conditions have stabilized to safe, non-life-threatening levels, and the public is advised to follow real-time updates from DominicanScope for the latest timeline on restriction lifts.
Swimming banned at Puerto Plata beaches due to dangerous sea conditions
