Caribbean Birding Trail

Know the Caribbean, Bird by Bird

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      • Anguilla
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You are here: Home / Dominican Republic / North Coast / Gri Gri Lagoon

Gri Gri Lagoon

  • About Gri Gri Lagoon
  • The Birds
  • How to Get There

Beautiful little harbor surrounded by an extensive expanse of mangroves. The freshwater lagoon is connected to the ocean by a narrow 1.0 km (0.6 mile) canal that runs through a forest of red mangroves. Located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic between Puerto Plata to the east and Nagua to the west, the lagoon is entered through the small fishing village of Río San Juan. A boat trip from the town center takes you through the short river in the mangroves, then out to the sea and along the coral cliffs to a small beach. Along the way, look for typical mangrove species including herons, egrets, and warblers. A walking trail is also available.

Gri Gri Lagoon (Map by Dana Gardner)
Gri Gri Lagoon (Map by Dana Gardner)

 

The extensive mangroves are the attraction here. These are most often accessed by boat. Half-day lagoon tours can be arranged through many hotels, but if you’re staying in Río San Juan you may just want to amble down to the dock and make your own arrangements with one of the fishing boat captains. The lagoon is open daily during daylight hours only but it is best to try and go in the early morning.

Another option is to walk to the mangroves. To get to the walking trail, head west from the harbor on Sánchez, and then turn right towards the Bahía Blanca Hotel. There a path leads to the coast where you can then turn towards the right to reach the mangrove forest. Once at the mangroves there are two narrow trails: the left-hand trail is private but the right-hand trail is public. Ask at the hotel for more information.

Target Species: Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, Black-necked Stilt, White-crowned Pigeon, Mangrove Cuckoo, Cave Swallow, Barn Swallow, Greater Antillean Grackle, Hispaniolan Oriole

The Gri Gri Lagoon is accessed through the town of Río San Juan, which is located between Nagua and Puerto Plata on the C-5. From Nagua, continue west on the C-5 following signs for Cabrera. In Cabrera, continue straight ahead, but you will bear left at a minor fork in the road to remain on the highway. Approximately 56.3 km (35 miles) from Nagua you will arrive in the town of Río San Juan and the main crossroad street of Calle Duarte. From the corner of the C-5 and Duarte, head north on Duarte a few blocks to the harbor. The lagoon is one of the main attractions in the town and signs to reach it are prominently placed.

Gri Gri Lagoon

Dominican Republic Sites

Constanza and Valle Nuevo

Ebano Verde Reserve

Hatillo

Jarabacoa with Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez National Parks

La Joya de San Francisco

Loma Quita Espuela

Pico Diego de Ocampo, Santiago

Bávaro

Cumayasa

Del Este National Park: Boca de Yuma

Del Este National Park: Guaraguao

Del Este National Park: Padre Nuestro Trail

Del Este National Park: Saona Island

Ecological Foundation Trail, Punta Cana

Limón Lagoon

Los Haitises National Park: Caño Hondo

Los Haitises National Park: Los Limones

Monte Plata

Aguacate and Zapotén

Cabo Rojo and Pedernales

Cabral Lagoon

Cachote, Eastern Bahoruco

Jimaní

Lake Enriquillo

Loma Charco Azul

Oviedo Lagoon, Jaragua National Park

Puerto Alejandro and Tortuguero

Rabo de Gato and Puerto Escondido

Los Arroyos, Sierra de Bahoruco National Park

Cayos Siete Hermanos

El Limón, Samaná

Estero Hondo

Loma Guaconejo

Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata

Monte Cristi and Saladilla

Nalga de Maco National Park, Río Limpio

Samaná

Las Salinas de Baní

Mirador del Norte Park

National Botanical Garden

Ozama Wetlands

Partners in the Dominican Republic

  • Grupo Acción Ecológica
  • La Sociedad Ornitológica de la Hispaniola (SOH)
  • National Aviary

With special thanks to our partners at the Ruta Barrancoli

Ruta Barrancoli logo


Dominican Republic Tour Operators

  • Cúa Birding
  • Explora Ecotour
  • Miguel A. Landestoy T., Independent Guide
  • Tody Tours
  • Wildside Nature Tours

Bird Checklists

Click here to download a pamphlet-sized year-round checklist for Dominican Republic.

Recommended Field Guides

Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti by Steven Latta, Christopher Rimmer, Allan Keith, James Wiley, Herbert A. Raffaele, Kent McFarland, and Eladio Fernandez

Aves de la República Dominicana y Haití by Steven Latta, Christopher Rimmer, Allan Keith, James Wiley, Herbert A. Raffaele, Kent McFarland, and Eladio Fernandez

Ruta Barrancolí: A Bird-finding Guide to the Dominican Republic by Steven C. Latta and Kate J. Wallace

Birds of the West Indies by Herbert Raffaele, James Wiley, Orlando Garrido, Allan Keith, and Janis Raffaele

Want to know how you can be involved?

Do you know of a place that should be part of the Caribbean Birding Trail? Are you the owner of a lodge or hotel and want to attract eco-tourists? Are you a guide interested in the birdwatching market? Then, get involved with our project!

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