Isla Catalina is a tropical destination island located on the southeast corner of the Dominican Republic, about 1.5 miles from the mainland and not far from La Alagracia and La Romana. It was the scene for our second Beach Barbecue, which features Seabourn’s signature Caviar in the Surf tradition. A pristine beach, watersports and some serious shopping opportunities framed that fun, pinnacle beach event.
Guests were greeted as they arrived on the shore by rum punch and Dominican dancers in colorful native dress who performed at various locations throughout the day. A fabulous barbecue lunch was served. Crewmembers from Seabourn Quest served a variety of tropical drinks in addition to an open bar where spirits flowed freely. But the big event of the day came when a speedboat from the ship came ashore heralded by siren as a crowd gathered beachside, right in front of us.
A few minutes before arrival, crewmembers positioned surfboards, umbrellas (in case it rained) just off shore by where the Seabourn flag had been planted on the beach. Communicating with the Quest via radio, the perfectly timed event orchestrated by the ship’s Hotel Manager had guests up out of their beach chairs and off their water sports equipment to participate.
Before and after, guests meandered down a boardwalk for shopping that included everything from Dominican cigars to art, clothing and souvenirs.
The island itself is only 9.6 square kilometers in size but was one of the most beautiful we’ve yet seen and all agreed the flawless event was well worth coming ashore for. Formed out of coral stone, Isla Catalina, (also called Catalina Island) is relatively flat. The highest elevation on the island is only 60 feet above sea level.
That’s about 62 feet higher than most passengers off Seabourn Quest who waded in and took part in their Caviar (and champagne) in the Surf tradition, creating life-long memories that probably won’t be matched by any other beach experience any time soon.
See our Isla Catalina via Seabourn Quest Facebook Gallery
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