Caribbean Birding Trail

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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

Central Mountain Range
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
Southeast
Bávaro
Cumayasa
Del Este National Park
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
Los Haitises National Park: Caño Hondo
Los Haitises National Park: Los Limones
Monte Plata
Southwest
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
Sierra de Bahoruco National Park
Los Arroyos, Sierra de Bahoruco National Park
North Coast
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
Around Santo Domingo
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

  • 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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