By Denise Simpson
For those who choose — or need — to stay in the Dominican Republic through hurricane season, the north coast has consistently proven to be a relatively safe haven from direct hurricane hits, usually only experiencing tropical storms. Thankfully last year was a very calm and uneventful year all around the country, and we can only hope for same this year.
Hurricane Irma came close in September 2017, passing about 50 miles north of Puerto Plata as a powerful Category 5 storm. Neither Irma, Maria (also 2017) nor Fiona (in 2022) caused significant damage along the northern coastline. Fiona crossed the tip of Samaná on the northeastern side as a Category 1-2 storm, then passed about 60 miles north of Puerto Plata as a Category 2-3, and again caused no serious harm along the northern coast.
Ocean World Marina and its boatyard in Cofresí near Puerto Plata proved a reliable refuge. The marina’s massive sea wall and strong, fixed concrete docks — with very strong well-secured cleats — allowed long-term vessels, some tied spider-web-style, to ride out the storms successfully after the liveaboard community and staff ensured that unattended boats were well secured. At the boatyard on the Ocean World Marina and premises, boats that were hauled out and strapped down also had no damage.
Farther west, foreign commercial vessels, several Dominican boats, and the longterm liveaboards plus transient cruisers sought shelter in Luperón, a naturally protected bay. Some latecomers received permission from the armada (Navy) to run lines into the surrounding mangroves — a key hurricanehole‑feature that offers flexibility and protection as long as you study the wind pattern to avoid ending up stranded too high in the mangroves. In contrast, the lack of mangroves in the Samaná town anchorage — and even an unattended vessel in Marina Puerto Bahía that hit the dock and sank — contributed to multiple wrecks during Hurricane Fiona.
It is vital for owners in Luperón to remain with their vessels during the season. The harbor entrance can funnel the wind, which accelerates into the harbor during tropical storms. This can cause some boats to drag anchor in the soft mud bottom or — as has happened for many years — to break free from old unserviced moorings or the lines from the boats to them. In 2020, a Panamanian inter-island ferry dragged during 45-50-knot gusts, but thankfully the crew onboard avoided a collision with other smaller vessels.
Controversy erupted in April-May 2025 in Luperón when officials began removing unattended derelict vessels. Some owners claimed their boats were not derelict but stored for the season after many years of breaking free or dragging in the harbor. One owner shared that authorities asked him for proof of monthly harbor fee payments and a valid Permiso de Navegación (cruising permit) which applies world-wide, required here after 90 days as an extention of the local or overseas registered vessels stay in the country. Now it’s been made much easier with overseas registered vessel owners being able to pay the overstay fee after 90 days to the Armada/Navy when leaving port instead of having to obtain the Permiso de Navegación (extention of stay) which is mainly for the local vessels and all in Spanish.
Because Luperón is an environmentally protected area, all boaters must obtain permission from the armada/navy to perform work on their boats and avoid using toxic substances such as muriatic acidaon the water or on land surrounding the bay.
Marine weather expert Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center has repeatedly cited the Puerto Plata Province as a favored hurricane refuge. He cited three main reasons, in a 2019 article in Passagemaker magazine:
1. Storm Path & mountains: The coast backs up against the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range, with peaks like Diego de Ocampo (1,250 meters/4,100 feet).
2. Dominican alps: Farther inland is the Cordillera Central, with the Caribbean’s four highest peaks, including Pico Duarte (3,098/10,164).
3. Left-front quadrant advantage: Harbors on the north coast often lie in the left-front quadrant of storms, which brings weaker winds and drier air.
“If a west-moving hurricane passes along or just north of the north coast of a mountainous landmass, then harbors along the north coast will experience the less-strong south side. If the storm passes over the landmass, dry air and tall mountains disrupt the hurricane’s structure, causing rapid weakening.”
NOAA’s historical hurricane data confirm that the DR’s north coast has never taken a direct hit from a hurricane — only occasional tropical storms. The data can be found at NOAA Historical Tracks: coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes, or the “Bums on a Boat” Facebook page: facebook.com/share/p/158uF3rk2y/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
In 2022, some boats in Marina Puerto Bahía (Samaná) weathered Fiona safely. Others took refuge in Los Haitises if their draft allowed. One vessel sank after hitting the dock, while others now haul out at Ocean World Marina & Boatyard, which has the only professional travel lifts for both monohulls and catamarans on the N/NE and SE coasts run by Maritima del Atlántico.
Notable south coast hurricane refuges include:
- Marina Punta Cana with high buildings
- East side of the Ozama River, Santo Domingo at the government marina
- Marina Zar Par, Boca Chica (damaged in 2024 from surge but up and running again) or
- Many take their vessels up rivers to avoid waves/surge.
Denise Simpson and her daughter Natasha Simpson, with their two boat cats, live aboard SV Fair Lady, a Morgan Out Island 41 ketch. They’ve remained full-time in the Caribbean since sailing their catamaran from South Africa in 2010. They are based at Ocean World Marina & Boatyard in Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Denise is also a port officer for the Ocean Cruising Club OCC (UK) since 2010, a host for the Seven Seas Cruising Association SSCA (USA) since 2019 and liaison officer/host for the Cruising Association CA (UK). Reach her at deniswithane61@gmail.com
