National Park of the East

Endangered species found in the Park include the Loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.

There are four species of mangrove trees in the park that provide important nesting habitat for endangered species such as the white crowned pigeon.

Isla Saona is part of the National Park of the East and has a year round population of 300.

The Park also contains many Taino cave paintings

The coastal eco system of The National Park of the East is a prime habitat for hundreds of species of birds, plants, fish and a variety of marine animals. The National Park of the East, or Parque Nacional del Este is a nature reserve for 112 of the Dominican Republic's 303 bird species, as well as being home to bottlenose dolphins, manatees, many fish species and an immense coral reef.

The majority of the park is situated on the southeastern peninsula near Bayahibe. The park consists of limestone terraces formed a million years ago and caves containing pre-Columbian pictographs and rock carvings of the Tainos.

The park's coast is known for excellent diving because of its amazing coral formations. The southeastern tip of the park, Calderas Bay, is where you will find saltwater lagoons with mangrove swamps and dozens of different types of wildlife including the seldom seen paloma coronita (crowned or white headed dove) and the rhinocerous iguana. Opposite Calderas Bay is Isla Saona, also part of the National Park of the East. This small 15 mile long island contains two settlements; Mano Juan and Punta Gorda, with a total population of 300 people. To the west is an even smaller uninhabited island called Isla Catalinita.

Parque Nacional del Este has been designated a protected area since September 16,1975. It consists of a 25 Km trapeziform peninsula at its top portion and 1 1 Km at the bottom, occupying an area of 31,244 Ha. within the municipalities of Bayahibe and Boca de Yuma. It also includes Saona Island, occupying 10,650 Ha. The total area of the Parque Nacional del Este is 41,894 Ha. The submerged continental plate surrounding the perimeter of the park should also be included. This platform extends approximately one nautical mile from the Park's coastline.

The Direccion Nacional de Parques (National Parks Office) is the institution in charge of administration and maintenance of all National Parks, as well as recreational areas, zoos and botanical reserves. The main objective of the National Parks Office is to conserve the islands natural resources, while at the same time preserving the ecologically sensitive regions for future generations to enjoy.