Casa de Campo Marina Boat Rental: Complete Guide to Private Charters [2026]

Casa de Campo is one of the most exclusive resort communities in the Caribbean, and its marina is one of the few in the region that can support a true private charter fleet. The practical question for guests who want to get on the water is not whether it is possible — it is — but how to do it well: which boat, what destinations, what the real costs are, and what the logistics look like on the day.

This guide covers all of it. Boat rental in Casa de Campo from Nauty 360 starts at $1,750 for a lancha with a licensed captain and fuel. The three best destinations from the marina — Saona, Catalina, and Bayahibe — are within 60 minutes by speedboat, and a full-day charter can combine two or three of them in a single day. What follows is the complete breakdown: marina logistics, fleet options, per-destination guide, and the hidden costs that most charter pages do not mention.

Why Casa de Campo for a Private Boat Charter?

Most Caribbean resort guests who want a boat day end up on a shared catamaran tour with 60 strangers. Casa de Campo is different because its marina — Puerto Deportivo Marina Casa de Campo — operates as a genuine full-service port with a private charter fleet, not just an excursion desk. The marina accommodates vessels up to 250 feet, has a fuel dock, on-site provisioning, and customs clearance for international arrivals, and is 15 minutes by golf cart from the resort’s main hub.

The result is that booking a private charter at Casa de Campo works the same way it does in Miami or Cancun: you choose the vessel, set the route, and the boat is yours for the day. That is not the default for most Dominican Republic resorts, where “private” excursions often still mean a fixed itinerary on someone else’s schedule.

• 350+ berths accommodating vessels up to 250 feet
• Fuel dock, provisioning, customs and immigration clearance
• Direct Caribbean Sea access with no inland waterway navigation required
• On-site restaurants and ship chandlery
• 24/7 marina security

Casa de Campo Marina — What to Know Before You Go

About Puerto Deportivo Marina

Puerto Deportivo Marina is a full-service marina located within the Casa de Campo resort complex in La Romana. It handles private charter departures, sport fishing, and vessel provisioning, and is one of the larger private marinas in the Caribbean by berth count. Paved docks with electricity and water hookups, a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline), harbor master office, and 24/7 security are standard. For visiting vessels, the marina offers customs and immigration clearance for international arrivals — a detail relevant for guests who arrive by private boat from elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Getting to the Marina from the Resort

From the main resort area, the marina is approximately 2–3 km — a 5–10 minute golf cart ride or a 15-minute walk. Most resort guests use the complimentary golf cart service or arrange a hotel buggy transfer. Taxis are available at the main resort entrance as well. Your charter operator will meet you at the dock; confirm the exact slip number the evening before your departure so there is no confusion on the day.

Departure Times and Logistics

Most charter departures for full-day trips are scheduled between 7:30am and 9:00am. Morning departures take advantage of calmer sea conditions — Caribbean afternoon trade winds regularly build from 1pm onward, and an early start means calmer water for most of the day. Sunset cruises depart 4:30–5:00pm. Dominican Republic maritime regulations require all passengers to present identification at departure; bring your passport or a color photocopy. Your captain will confirm the exact meeting time and any weather considerations the evening before.

Best Destinations from Casa de Campo Marina

Isla Saona — The Dominican Republic’s Most Famous Beach

Isla Saona is a national park island within Parque Nacional del Este, approximately 45–60 minutes from Casa de Campo marina by speedboat. The beaches are 1–2km stretches of white sand with turquoise, shallow water, and a famous piscina natural — a natural swimming pool where the water is 50cm deep and starfish are visible in every direction. On a private charter, you depart early and arrive before the shared group tours, which crowd the beach from 10am to 2pm on most days. This timing advantage is the most practical reason to book private rather than joining a resort excursion.

One note on costs: Isla Saona sits inside a national park, and the entry fee is approximately $10 per person, collected at the dock or on arrival. This is not included in the charter price and should be budgeted separately. Your captain handles the permit logistics; you pay the fee in cash on the day.

Isla Catalina — Snorkeling at “The Wall”

Isla Catalina is 30–40 minutes from the marina. Its south side features “The Wall” — a coral drop-off from 5m to 30m+ depth with sea turtles, eagle rays, barracuda, and dense Caribbean reef fish year-round. It is widely considered the best snorkeling site in the Dominican Republic for marine biodiversity, and the shallow inner reef (3–5m depth) is accessible to non-swimmers and children. The north side of the island has a calm sandy beach suitable for anchoring and swimming. Morning visits are preferable for the clearest water visibility; afternoon conditions can be slightly choppier on the south side. For a detailed breakdown of snorkeling conditions and species by month, see the Catalina Island snorkeling guide.

Bayahibe Bay & Fishing Village

Bayahibe is an authentic Dominican fishing village 25–30 minutes from the marina by speedboat. The bay offers calm, clear water, mangrove channels, and coral gardens that are notably less trafficked than either Saona or Catalina on most days. The village itself has colorful fishing boats moored in the harbor, fresh seafood at local restaurants, and a pace completely different from the resort environment at Casa de Campo. For full-day itineraries that want a cultural element alongside the beach and snorkel stops, Bayahibe adds something neither Saona nor Catalina can offer. For a complete guide to the bay and itinerary options, see the Bayahibe boat day trip guide.

Offshore Sport Fishing

The waters off La Romana are among the top sport fishing grounds in the Caribbean. Marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and sailfish are caught year-round, and the deep-water canyon known as La Sima is a 20–30 minute run from the marina. Most private charter captains can arrange a fishing add-on to a destination day; dedicated full-day sport fishing charters are also bookable directly from the marina. Deep-sea fishing is available as an add-on to any private charter departure — confirm with your captain when booking.

Boat Rental Options and Prices at Casa de Campo (2026)

Nauty 360 operates three vessel categories from Casa de Campo Marina. All prices are for the full vessel — not per person — and include a licensed captain, fuel for the agreed route, life jackets, and a cooler with ice.

Optional add-ons available: open bar ($25 per person), catering and lunch ($35 per person), snorkel gear upgrade, photographer ($150+), event decoration. Not included in the charter price: national park entry fees (Saona: approximately $10 per person), crew gratuity (15% is standard), and personal spending at village or beach stops.

Per-person breakdown to illustrate how the boat rental cost distributes across group sizes:

Private Charter vs. Resort Group Excursion

Casa de Campo and most large-scale Dominican Republic resorts offer group excursions to Saona and Catalina. These are shared catamaran tours with 40–80 passengers, fixed departure times, a preset itinerary, and the open-bar beach party formula that has become standard on these routes. The comparison below is based on what the two experiences actually look like on the day.

For groups of 6 or more, the per-person premium for a private charter over a resort group tour is roughly $80–170. That difference pays for a boat that is exclusively yours, a departure time you control, and an uncrowded Saona experience. Guests who have done both routes consistently describe the private version as a different destination — the beach is the same, but the experience of arriving before the crowds and leaving when you want changes it fundamentally.

The Hidden Costs Most Charter Pages Skip

This section exists because nearly every charter booking page lists the charter price and stops there. The actual out-of-pocket cost on the day is higher, and the gap between published price and total spend surprises guests who were not expecting it. Here is what to budget for on top of the charter fee:

• National park entry (Saona): approximately $10 per person, cash only, collected at the dock or on arrival to the park. If your group of 8 visits Saona, add $80 to the day’s total.
• Captain’s gratuity: 15% is standard and widely expected. On a $1,750 charter, that is $262 for a strong day on the water. Budget this as part of the charter cost, not as optional.
• Snorkel gear upgrade: basic snorkel masks and fins are included, but prescription masks, dry-top snorkels, and full-face masks are available as add-ons. Worth asking if anyone in the group wears glasses.
• Bayahibe village seafood: if your itinerary includes a Bayahibe stop, budget $15–25 per person for lunch at a local restaurant. Cards are not widely accepted; bring Dominican pesos or USD cash.
• On-board drinks and food: the charter includes a cooler with ice, but provisions are not included. If you want drinks, snacks, or a full picnic on board, bring or buy them before departure. The marina has a small provisioning operation; supermarket provisioning in La Romana the evening before is the better value.

Best Time to Rent a Boat in Casa de Campo

December–April (peak and ideal): Caribbean high-pressure dominates. Trade winds keep temperatures comfortable at 26–30°C, rainfall is minimal, and sea visibility averages 20–25 meters. The best conditions of the year, and the highest demand. Book 5–6 weeks ahead for Christmas, New Year, and Easter.

May–June (shoulder, good value): Transitional weather with occasional afternoon showers. Seas are generally calm in the mornings. Visibility slightly reduced from peak but still excellent at 15–20 meters. Lower demand means more date flexibility and, in some cases, better availability on specific vessels.

July–September (summer, morning-dependent): Hot and humid. Hurricane season officially runs June–November, with the statistical peak in August–October. Most days are fine for morning departures (7:30–8am); afternoon sea conditions can build significantly. The key adjustment for summer charters is the early departure — a 7am start and return by 2pm avoids the worst afternoon chop on most days.

October–November (shoulder, improving): October is statistically the wettest month. November recovers quickly and often offers excellent conditions with lower pricing and minimal crowds. A good window for flexible travelers.

Overall recommendation: January through March for the most reliable conditions and the highest water visibility. December and April are also excellent if you can book ahead.

Logistics Tips for Casa de Campo Resort Guests

• Tell your hotel concierge you are doing a private charter — they can arrange a complimentary golf cart transfer to the marina dock and will often have the slip number on file for Nauty 360 departures.
• Bring a photocopy of your passport to the dock (or the original). Dominican maritime departure requires passenger ID, and your captain cannot depart without it.
• Book at least 3 weeks ahead in peak season (December–April). The best boats at the marina are reserved early by repeat guests, and the most popular Saona dates in the first two weeks of January are typically fully booked by November.
• Reef-safe sunscreen is recommended and required in national park waters around Saona. Regular chemical sunscreen is prohibited in Dominican national park marine areas — bring a mineral-formula option or purchase one at the resort shop before departure.
• Bring pesos or USD cash for national park fees, village seafood, and any purchases at beach stops. Card machines do not exist at sea-side stops and are unreliable at Bayahibe village restaurants.
• Confirm the exact departure dock and slip number the evening before. Puerto Deportivo has multiple piers and your captain will specify which one when the booking is confirmed.