Playa Sosúa, Beach in Sosúa, Dominican Republic

Playa Sosúa is a beach in the municipality of Sosúa, Puerto Plata province, on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. It lies in a crescent-shaped bay whose mouth is sheltered by coral reefs, so the water stays calm and clear for most of the year. A band of fine golden sand runs along the shoreline, and the bay's two ends differ in character.

Playa Sosúa was among the first beaches in the Dominican Republic to attract international visitors, making it an early point of reference for tourism along the northern coast. The town of Sosúa itself has a distinct past, having served as a refuge for Jewish refugees in the 1940s, a history that shaped the character of the surrounding area.

Playa Sosúa takes its name from the town of Sosúa, whose 1940s settlement by Jewish refugees from Europe left traces visitors can still find in the local synagogue and museum. On weekends and holidays Dominican families arrive from nearby towns with coolers and speakers, and vendors sell fried fish and cold drinks along the sand. The bay's western end, near the town, draws the crowds; the eastern stretch toward Playa Alicia stays quieter.

Playa Sosúa lies in a bay whose coral reefs break the swell, so the water stays swimmable most of the year; December to April is when it is clearest. The beach is a short walk from the centre of Sosúa, and parking is available nearby. The western end of the bay, where the restaurants and snorkel-rental stands are, is busier than the eastern side toward Playa Alicia.

The coral reefs that protect Playa Sosúa's bay sit close enough to shore that snorkelers can reach coral formations and tropical fish directly from the beach, without a boat. One of the area's notable dive sites, known as The Canyon, features underwater walls covered in marine life and is accessible to divers of various skill levels.