pro excursions saona island

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Saona Island

$ 90.00 $ 85.00

The Caribbean Sea, waist-deep sandbar, savory buffet, catamaran, speed boat, Latin music, Sun, Sand and Palm Trees. Sound interesting? Come with us to Saona Island to live the unforgettable experience. Last call at the Tiki Bar! You coming?

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• Reviews (44)

Here’s What You Get

We’re taking YOU to the Super-Star of off-shore islands in the Dominican Republic. Think Sun, Sand, Booze, Boats and Bikinis! You can thank us later but for now let us tell you about the ridiculously beautiful Saona Island… The first tourist boat to dock at Saona was Christopher Columbus in 1494 and Saona has not ceased to amaze visitors for the last 500+ years!

What’s so amazing about Isla Saona? A good question deserves several good answers:

• This is a real island mon! We’re talking about 110 sq kilometers. Saona is not a tiny off-shore key. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see.
• Is turquoise, transparent ocean water your thing? We hope! Take a Selfie because ocean water this color is found at few places on earth.
• Seriously, white sand AND palm trees? Yes, it’s a killer combination. The quintessential Caribbean island deserves the quintessential Caribbean scenery; ivory sands lined with rows of swaying palms.

You may be saying: “Ok I get it, Saona is beautiful but why should I spend money to visit?” An excellent question deserves several excellent responses:

• We’ll hit the Caribbean Sea on a speedboat and slowly cruise you back to the mainland on a spacious catamaran. Oh, there’s also music, animation and open bar. This is the Caribbean Sea folks. How many opportunities will you have to sail the Caribbean Sea?
• It’s an All-inclusive, Full-Day, outing and you need some time away from your Punta Cana resort. You get the boat, the open bar and the food. Oh and we pick you up and drop you off at your lobby. That was easy!
• The natural pool is so stunning it’s not really fair. So, we kinda take you to a sandbar, far from the coast with clear, waist deep water. We give you rum and you may find a starfish or two at your feet. We hope this sounds ok to you…
• The time on Saona island is priceless. Visit the Tiki Bar, dance merengue, visit the Tiki Bar, play volleyball, visit the Tiki Bar, walk the beach, visit the Tiki Bar, hit the buffet.

It’s your vacation to Punta Cana and you may only have ONE opportunity to do this the right way. Go with the pros to Saona!

Isla Saona is the #1 demanded excursion in Punta Cana so Book now to ensure your spot.

The Sun the Sand and a Drink in Your hand!

Join us for our Classic Experience to the Dominican Republic’s famous off-shore oasis – Saona island.

What’s Included

• Round trip transport
• Professional guide
• Speed boat and catamaran to Isla Saona
• BBQ, buffet lunch

What to Bring

• Beach clothing
• Bathing suit

44 reviews for Saona Island

Mac (verified purchase) – January 14, 2024

Excellent service with local collection points, good connection to boats and a very good day out. My only criticism would be the beach vendors, but this is not really the companies fault so I would not drop the rating because of it

Wendy (verified purchase) – December 26, 2023

This was a fantastic cruise! I highly recommend it! The staff are awesome, the transportation to and from your hotel is nice (our van had A/C!!😁) and the lunch on the beach was delicious, fantastic, awesome!!!…

Linda (verified purchase) – September 4, 2023

Had a great time on this excursion!! Max was our tour guide . He was very informative and made us feel secure with the locals and what we would be doing. Playing in the ocean on the sandbars, drinking rum and coke, and jetting along on a fast boat to a catamaran party. Couldn’t have had a better time. The lunch on the island was very good but the restrooms were a little scary. Make sure u bring towels and plenty of sun screen! This tour was exactly what we wanted it to be. Spending the beautiful day on the water. We even had our own pirate along for the ride.

Troy (verified purchase) – August 6, 2023

Our tour to Saona Island was great. Punta Cana Tours did a great job making sure we had a good time. The tour operated pretty close to on time but you are in the Caribbean and everything runs a little slower here. LOL Our tour guid Ramond or Raymond was great. He spoke 4 languages and gave information very clearly so you knew what you were supposed to do and where to go.

Now to the good stuff. The bus ride was an hour through some pretty countryside on a nice bus with AC. Once you get to the drop off location where you get on the boat its time to go to the island. There is one stop along the way where you can get in waist deep tropical water and have some drinks. All provided and not watered down like I was expecting. Then back on the boat and on to the BEAUTIFUL Saona Island. Words can’t describe it. Palm tree lined seashore with white sand beaches and tropical aqua blue water. Plus they feed you and furnish all the drinks you want. Overall this trip is a MUST DO if you’re in the Dominican Republic. And Punta Cana Tours should be the tour company to take you there!

Andrew (verified purchase) – May 24, 2023

This is truly an exceptional company. It is not often you find a company with this level of customer service. A very special thank you to Garry for going above and beyond, even after hours, to make sure all of excursions and transportation needs went flawlessly. We will definitely be back many more times. As for Isla Saona, it really is like being placed inside of a post card. All of the guides made sure that we were not only safe at all times, they went out of their way to ensure we had to best time. Thank you all for making our wedding trip special for all of us.

Bruno (verified purchase) – May 17, 2023

I just come back from a 5 day vacation , Me and my wife did two attractions with Punta Cana Tours and all I get to say is that was perfect , Speed boat with snorkeling and snuba was amazing and then next day we went to isla saona which was excellent . I recommend to everyone . They picked us up at the right time in our resort ,no complaint at all. Thanks Punta Cana Tours.

Kye (verified purchase) – May 14, 2023

Isla Saona is one of the most beautiful beaches we saw near Punta Cana, specially when we stayed inland. The water, sand, view, natural pool were the highlights of this excursion but it could have been organized a little better. The food and drinks were ok. All in all its worth it just for the transportation and beauty itself. Tip: Carry your own beach towel. A lot of sunscreen, sun glasses and snack food.

Valentin (verified purchase) – May 3, 2023

We had a great time! Its a long day on the bus. But well worth it. Nice tour ended at Saona Island for eats and a big party! We would go back!

Brian (verified purchase) – April 26, 2023

When vacationing in a foreign place it’s always the best when you hook up with a tour group that shows you the real side of the country. I give two thumbs and two toes up for this trip. It could not have been done any better with the beautiful beaches, great barbeque and dancing. The laid back side of life is a beautiful thing. Brian S

Mazikee (verified purchase) – April 2, 2023

The island of Saona is beautiful and we loved the whole experience on the catamaran. The crew were all friendly and you could tell they totally enjoyed their job. The food was good and honestly the massage (for additional fee) was one of the best I’ve ever had. It was by far our favorite day in DR. Only downside, it wasn’t clear from the website details that we would be on a bus for almost 3 hours going to the port to leave. I would definitely recommend this excursion!

Abbigail (verified purchase) – March 15, 2023

Excellent service, very punctual, great environment, great food. The natural pool and Saona Island are two of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Sandro, the tour guide was FANTASTIC, very charming, friendly, and makes sure everybody understands. (He gives the tour in Spanish, English and French). I would highly recommend Punta Cana Tours and will likely book another trip next year when I plan to take my entire family to the Dominican Republic for my wedding!.

Nate (verified purchase) – February 28, 2023

We also used This company for a trip to Saona Island and we used them for our Airport Transportation. The Saona Island trip was beautiful I only wish we had more time to chill on the Island. The drive to and from the airport were good my one gripe is to find my driver At the airport you need to push through a sea of quick talking taxi drivers all of which try to confuse you so you buy a ride with them instead of taking the trip you already paid for. Overall I rate the company 4 out of 5 stars for one hiccup on our first excursion.

Enola (verified purchase) – January 19, 2023

Great day trip to Saona Island! I was in Punta Cana with my boyfriend for the weekend and was so glad we took a day trip to Saona Island! We were picked up early in the morning from our resort and it was about an hour’s drive to the beach where we’d get on the boat (which is good, because we had time to sleep). We took a catamaran there and really enjoyed it. There was dance music, unlimited rum & coke, “paparazzi” staff to take our pictures, and lots of time to relax and get a tan. When we got to the beach, they gave us an AMAZING barbecue lunch, consisting of grilled pork chops, BBQ chicken, seafood spaghetti, potato salad, seasoned rice, and a bunch of other sides and fruits. The rest of the time I spent napping and swimming on the beach with my boyfriend. I didn’t time it but we had a good amount of time on the beach. The sand there is white, clean, and really lovely. After the beach, we got on a speedboat and got out to a flat pool to swim and take pictures with star fish for maybe half an hour. And again we went out to a deeper location so they could throw fish food out of the boat and we could snorkel and look at the schools of fish. After that, they offered to sell us back the “paparazzi” photos they took of us ($40, why not?) which came with photos of you, stock photos of Samoa, and the music they were playing on the catamaran. Overall, it was a super fun experience and I loved it. I want to emphasize that the staff are really fun-loving and the good vibes are infectious! They really do keep you entertained.

Richelle (verified purchase) – December 4, 2022

I would caution families on the Saona Island Trip. The island is beautiful, but just be prepared for a long day- about 5 hours round trip transfer time to and from the boats (which included changing shuttles at a gas station). There are LOTS of locals selling things at the boarding point and on the island, take money (or be prepared to say no a lot 😉). There was a photographer that took a lot of pictures of our family in the water- also for a high cost (but you can really get them down in price!) I’m not sure if we would do this again with kids- it was about a 13 hour day. We do HIGHLY recommend Punta Cana Tours for transfers and excursions and would definitely use them again!

Everly (verified purchase) – December 1, 2022

The waters around Saona Island are crystal clear and probably some of the prettiest turquoise waters you will ever see. The beaches were super nice, the palm trees made you feel like you were in the south Pacific, and the lunch was good. The catamaran out was entertaining and speedboat back was a nice change of pace. It was a great place to visit while we were in Punta Cana and I would highly recommend a visit to Saona Island if you get the chance.

Jared (verified purchase) – November 9, 2022

I arrived with my wife in Punta Cana this year for our vacation. I was promptly greeted by our driver who was very friendly, professional and courteous. The ride to our hotel was nice, and the van was clean, and well maintained. During the week, we also used Punta Cana tours to book a tour at Isla Saona. We had a great time! I’d highly recommend Caribbean Dream and their staff. I travel a lot, and rarely am I treated with such professionalism. Thanks for a great trip, Jared

Jayda (verified purchase) – November 3, 2022

The island was very beautiful, the ocean had far less seaweed that our resort beach, Bavaro, so we were pleased. The buffet brunch was very plentiful and good. The staff were friendly and we felt comfortable following them all day from bus to boat to island to boat to bus! My only negative remark would be the bus commute time. From our resort to the dock to board the speedboat was 3 hours. The return bus ride was half of that time, 1 1/2 hours. There were also two stops along the way that did not look like passenger pick ups.

Bruno (verified purchase) – October 4, 2022

Jones (verified purchase) – September 28, 2022

I send an email asking few question about a tour, my surprise was to have an answer from them super fast. I booked the tour, the picked me up in the time they told. Not even 5 or 10 minutes like I’m used to (in DR they have a saying “Hora Dominicana” which is 1/2 or 1hr after the time is set up) . The tour to Saona was OUTSTANDING! The guide was explaining all the way about the city and the culture. Isla Saona is a paradise, great food and good animation team. Im already making plans to book more tours. Gracias, I had a BLAST!

Leon (verified purchase) – September 19, 2022

Fun, Fabulous, Lots for the Price! A four hour boat trip, with snorkeling, island swimming, a ton of fresh grilled chicken, fish, and sandwiches, open bar, dancing and the most accommodating staff! Lots of fun!! A must do in Punta. Cana!

Tanner (verified purchase) – September 9, 2022

Catamaran ride to Isla Saona was the most memorable experience of our DR 2022 trip. The excursions with our hotel were pricey so I found this offer online for a much better price. The bus picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the catamaran where girls with rum and coke were already waiting for us. Everybody on the boat had a lot of fun dancing to the rhythm of latin music. The island itself is the prettiest place that I have ever been to, surrounded with palm trees, white sand and butterflies. As soon as we arrived to the island, buffet was open. On the way back we stopped by the natural pool where we took pictures with the star fish. Thank you for the great time!

Katie (verified purchase) – August 25, 2022

We went to Saona Island with my family on 8/16 and we had the best experience ever. The ride from the Resort to the boat was smooth. We had a funny guide who kept us entertained. He spoke English very well which made it easier for us understand each other. It was a long day but was worth it. The speed boat ride, the Cataraman, party boat was really fun. We enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to the team at Punta Cana Tours. Next time we come to Punta Cana we will surely use you again. Thanks again!

Allison (verified purchase) – July 12, 2022

We booked the Saona Island excursion. The actual island experience itself was wonderful. The shuttle was late in coming to get us (which we found out later was not the fault of the tour company but a large group of guests who only showed up partially on time). There were some children on our excursion that were very loud and energetic on the bus; our tour guide was great in joking around about the noisy kids. We took the speedboat to the island, stopping at the natural pool to swim and take pictures with starfish, then relaxed at the island, ate lunch, and took the catamaran back. Other reviews mention the vendors approaching them at the island and made it seem as though they were very aggressive and wouldn’t leave you alone. I found that a firm but pleasant ‘no thank you’ for any venders ended any persuading they tried. Any of the vendors the whole week we were there weren’t loud or obnoxious, they would simply try to show you their wares but were really good about backing down when you said no. Overall we really enjoyed the trip; it was worth the long ride from our resort in Punta Cana. The island was beautiful, all of the employees and our tour guide were friendly and really made the trip fun. I’d recommend it for anybody looking into day excursions from the resorts!

Amber (verified purchase) – July 3, 2022

We used PuntaCana Tours for our hotel transfers and the excursion to Isla Saona, they were the best and most professional tour provider we have ever come across thank you again!

Kennedi (verified purchase) – June 20, 2022

We booked our tour with Punta Cana Tours after reading several online reviews. We were not disappointed. Our tour guide, Emerson, got us off to a great and welcoming start and continued to keep us informed about local information and the what to expect next on the tour. After a short drive to Bayahibe we boarded a powerboat and headed to Saona Island with a short stopover to swim with the starfish. The island, beach and water were gorgeous! A nice lunch and drinks were provided. At the end of the day we boarded a large catamaran for a lively ride back, complete with rum drinks and dancers. It was a great day and our tour guide was exceptional. Long day but well worth the time and money.

Yenery (verified purchase) – June 3, 2022

I did the excursion to Saona Island and it was pretty good. I can surely say the team of Punta Cana Tours is super attentive, punctual and professional. I know a lot of DMC companies in Punta Cana, but their Customer Service is incomparable. I highly recommend them. Besides the wonderful staff, the tour was excellent, very safe, the food and drinks really good. I had a great time!! yen

Mckinley (verified purchase) – May 14, 2022

We didn’t find out until late the night before we were due to go home that our trip was going to be extended for a day due to weather back in the US. We had wanted to go to Isla Saona but did not have time during our initial trip. I immediately went online to try and book a trip to Isla Saona with an outfit. Punta Cana Tours allowed us to book at almost 9pm the day before the trip and their tour guide Max and driver Elvis were amazing! The transportation in both the van and boats were clean and safe. The trip was a beautiful way to spend our extra day. I will go again with this company in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the Dominican outside of their resort!

Angelo (verified purchase) – April 20, 2022

Had an amazing time! From the speed boat ride to the island, having pictures taken with starfish, swimming in the beautiful ocean, to the catamaran ride back, it was all extremely fun!! I would definitely recommend doing this excursion if you plan on visiting the Dominican!

Lachlan (verified purchase) – April 14, 2022

Overall the experience was very pleasant. We were picked up and greeted at our hotel promptly. Once picked up, we stopped at other nearby hotels to pick up other guests who too were going on the excursion. On our way to the dock, we stopped on the side of an intersection to switch and wait for another van.The cruise, natural pool, and the island was everything the website promised. The staff was very friendly, energetic, and professional. We would highly recommend this cruise for adults as it is not too kid friendly (a lot of alcohol, loud music, an dancing).

Diana (verified purchase) – April 5, 2022

We had the best time here. The entire crew from the bus driver to the crew on board the boats were fantastic making sure everyone was having a good time. I would recommend making your reservations with them for a very memorable experience.

Randi (verified purchase) – February 28, 2022

The Isla Saona tour, it was definitely my favorite. Picked up by shuttle, transferred to bigger bus, taken to an area where we were to get on a boat and head towards our destination. This was the clearest, most beautiful blue water I have ever seen. (They had several photographers taking candid photos throughout the trip and offered a dvd to buy at the end for both excursions). The photographs taken on the Isla Saona tour were especially great, I’ll admit. Actual time on the island was only a couple of hours, including time to eat, but it was a blast. Then we left on a catamaran where more drinking and dancing ensued. We were then shuttled right back to our hotel! If returning to this area I would definitely book through this service again!

Pauly (verified purchase) – February 20, 2022

I booked this trip on line in Feb. 2022, Saona Island Excursion, after reading all the great reviews of all the other travelers. They picked us up ( wife and I ) in our hotel lobby on time like they had promised in a new and clean vehicle with the A/C on. This was the best money spent during the week. It was a full and fun filled day, catamaran boat ride out to the Island and a nice speed boat ride back. Also great entertainment, dancing and beverages for all ages all day long. I highly recommend this trip when going to Punta Cana and for a very reasonable price you can a purchase a Caribbean Lobster on the Island…Thx. Paulv-Bos

Rosa (verified purchase) – January 28, 2022

had a wonderful time. i was worried about the tourist draw for this excursion, but you’re in punta cana, you’re already part of the tourist trap. anyway, the tour guides were amazing and so accommodating. we went to the island by a speed boat and came back in a catamaran, which i think is the best and only way to do this. also, the provided buffet lunch was probably one of the best meals i had while in punta cana. fill up on the tender chicken. definitely worth going. the only annoying part was when they tried repeatedly to sell the pictures they took of us. it would have been easier if they weren’t trying to sell all the photos as a package. they’d sell more if people can just buy individual pictures. but great trip overall

Sthephen (verified purchase) – December 4, 2021

Trip and service was great. Tour guide “Presidente Daniel” was a treat. We did the all day Sonana trip. It was beautiful but I wouldn’t recommend it for children. Many all day drinkers can’t handle their booze. Trip there and island was fine but boat ride back was full of college kids that were there for free booze and they we are mess. Maybe we just had a bad group,but it was terrible experience. Nothing against tour company but maybe cut back on the booze on the way back. My better and half can party with the best of them, but rude drunk people throwing garbage in the sea, spilling drinks and falling on everyone is a little off. Take a booze cruise for that.

Mike (verified purchase) – November 21, 2021

After a long flight, complete with delays, from Chicago, we arrive at PUJ for a much needed vacation. Going though security and immigration in the airport was a real pain. My suitcase had been gone through and a wheel on my bag was busted off. All I wanted to do was get to my hotel, and so far, this trip wasn’t starting out well. After leaving the security area, we were greeted by a nice man (I forgot his name) that was ready and waiting to take us to our hotel. There were what seemed like a sea of taxi drivers all vying for our business. I was very glad I had pre-arranged to be picked up by punta cana tours. They were courteous,very nice, and helpful as they took my wife’s and my luggage and helped us into the van. I was impressed. The van was clean, nice and comfortable and our driver was very helpful and informative on our drive to the hotel. Later that week, we also booked a tour to Isla Saona through the Again, they were fast, prompt, and very professional. The trip to Isla Saona is something not to be missed. What started off as a less than perfect trip, ended in a very enjoyable vacation. I know Punta Cana Tours and their staff, had a lot to do with it. Thanks for everything guys, Mike

Paisley W. (verified purchase) – November 7, 2021

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was terrible. The only thing that was great was how the staff as promised, helped us to make the best of it. We had all kind of problems with the hotel, good thing we had 3 days out booked with Punta Cana Tours. We went on Saona Island everything was Great, the trip to the capital city was too long but well organized and our fishing charter for the day was professionally planed. We thank you guys for your service, we will speak highly about you in Texas. Woods

Vivian (verified purchase) – November 7, 2021

While our trip was short to DR, transportation provided through Punta Cana Tours was long. We waited over 30minutes for transportation from our resort to the excursion and no contact was made from the company to notify us. Had we not stayed in the lobby a little longer, the driver would’ve came and left without us and have no regard to reach out to us. However, Isla Saona was beautiful, the transportation to and from the dock to the island was fun filled, with entertainment, drinks and a beautiful view on a speed boat and a catamaran.The food given to us during lunch on the Island was buffet style and American food but tasty! We would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting DR as it is a beautiful sight and worth visiting!

Louise (verified purchase) – September 3, 2021

Unbelievable excursion. Such a fun time. Transportation and each piece of the excursion was very well managed. Crew on the boat were a BLAST. They made the sandbar bar and the snorkeling portions highly enjoyable as well. Definitely not for kids or those NOT trying to have fun!

Murphy (verified purchase) – September 3, 2021

The best day of our 2 week trip to punta cana. Beautiful beach, dancing, snorkeling, photo shoot on beach, banana boats, innertubing, eating, playing games, shopping…etc I could go on and on amazing.

Catherine (verified purchase) – August 22, 2021

A fantastic experience! Well worth going on this day-long trip. We’ve went as a family of 3 with our 4YO daughter. Punctual pick-up from the hotel. Our group counted about 15 people. After reaching our “naval departure” port we’ve been wizzed off in a speedboat which was a very fun ride. After a few moments we’ve found ourselves swimming in the natural swimming pool drinking some vitamins %-). Then had some pictures with starfishes taken and wizzed of again on the speedboat until we’ve reached Isla Saona. Beautiful beaches and postcard picturesque water!!! After lunch went back to mainland on board a catamaran! Fantastic experience! Would definitely recommend.

Maria (verified purchase) – August 13, 2021

Highly Recommended!. This excursion was absolutely worth it. I booked it with Punta Cana tours. A catamaran ride to Saona Island on the calm Caribbean sea with music and dancing, followed by lunch and a beautiful lagoon to swim in. An entire day’s trip, but lots of fun!

Saige (verified purchase) – August 3, 2021

I would like to say that I would DEFINITELY recommend Punta Cana Tours to my friends and family if they visit the Dominican Republic and choose to partake in any excursions. We had a blast on Saona Island. All of the logistics were handled appropriately and we were very pleased. At Saona Island, everything was amazing. The only thing we would have changed is that we would have preferred to take the speedboats out to the island in the morning and then ride the catamaran back in the afternoon. It would have been nice to be able to cap off the fantastic day of relaxation with a party cruise back on the catamaran as opposed to partying on the way there. Just to reiterate, I will most definitely be recommending Punta Cana Tours to any of my friends and family that choose to visit. Thanks for helping make our vacation a fantastic time!

Cyrus (verified purchase) – March 8, 2020

Isla Sona – The tour itself was good, the catamaran sailing was quite nice and relaxing although overpriced products were being sold. Once we got to the island, it was great and we had a good time being by ourselves on the beach. The food was average. Catamaran tour:- Cheaper than the Isla Sona tours and the snorkeling was probably the highlight. Don’t forget to bring in a water camera for the tour. They will hawk you pictures that cost around $40 and its not worth it. Other than that it was a memorable experience

Brandon (verified purchase) – February 20, 2018

just come back from a 5 day vacation , Me and my wife did two attractions with Punta Cana Tours and all I get to say is that was perfect , Speed boat with snorkeling and snuba was amazing and then next day we went to isla saona which was excellent . I recommend to everyone . They picked us up at the right time in our resort ,no complaint at all. Thanks punta cana tours.

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How long is the boat ride from Punta Cana to Isla Saona?

You cannot take a boat directly from Punta Cana to Saona island as the distance is too far. To reach the jump off point for Saona you must first drive to the town of Bayahibe. Normal drive time is about an hour but if you're with a group excursion, drive time can be up to 2 hours due passenger pick up at Punta Cana resorts. Once in Bayahibe there are two options to reach Saona: motorboat, which takes about 40 minutes or catamaran which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.  Unless you've chartered your own private catamaran, all Saona group excursions will include one way via motorboat and one way via catamaran.

How long is the Saona Island excursion?

Expect to be gone approximately 10 hours on a typical Saona island excursion from Punta Cana or up to 12 hours if your hotel is located in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana's northern most section. This includes round trip bus transport from the resorts, round trip boat transport to Saona and of course some island time!

You can opt for a private charter which will take only about 8 hours. And if you want to really get there quick, you can take a helicopter excursion to Saona island .

Why is Saona Island so popular?

At 100 square kilometers, Saona is a behemoth of an offshore island with miles of unobstructed tropical beach, turquoise waters and coconut palms. It really is the quintessential, tropical shoreline in the Caribbean. The motorboat and catamaran ride, to and from Saona, is just as memorable as the island itself with an unforgettable stop at the natural swimming pool - an immense sandbar of waist deep waters where music is played and drinks are served!

What is the best beach in Saona?

Saona island, located off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, offers miles of tropical, white powdery beaches. The most popular, and the most visited for Saona excursions, is Playa los Abanicos. Also popular is Catuano Point and Playa del Gato. Playa Palmilla is mentioned a great deal but this beach is located on the mainland and not on Saona. Off Playa Palmilla is where the renowned natural swimming pool is located, a popular sandbar stop for Saona excursions.

Where do boats leave for Saona Island?

Saona island boat departures leave from the southeastern Dominican town of Bayahibe which is about an hour drive from Punta Cana. If you are on a group excursion with others, transport to Bayahibe can take up to 2 hours when factoring in other passenger pick ups.

Does anyone live on Saona Island?

Saona island is part of the Dominican Republic's Cotubanama National Park which prohibits development and inhabitants. With that said, the small fishing village of Mano Juan was the only community that existed before the national park's declaration in 1975; it was permitted to remain with development and population restrictions. Today about 500 individuals live in Mano Juan.

How long is the boat trip to Saona Island?

Saona Island is located off southeastern shores of the Dominican Republic and is only reachable by boat. The closest mainland town is Bayahibe from where there are two options to reach Saona: motorboat, which takes about 40 minutes or catamaran which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.  Unless you've chartered your own private catamaran, all Saona group excursions will include one way via motorboat and one way via catamaran.

Why go to Saona Island?

Saona island is the only offshore island relatively close to Punta Cana. The trip to Saona combines two of the most sought after activities for tourists to the Dominican Republic: getting out on a boat and spending time on the beach; preferably the island kind! And Saona itself is worth the trip, surrounding by calm Caribbean seas it is the quintessential tropical island with miles of powdery beaches, bordered lazy coconut palms and lapping turquoise waters.

Can you snorkel on Saona Island?

Typical excursions to Saona island do not include snorkeling. Although there are coral reefs just offshore from the town of Bayahibe - the jump off point for the Saona island excursion - these reefs are located in deeper waters that are more conducive to scuba diving.

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Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar Included

• Children 3-11

Welcome to our Saona Island Excursion, the ultimate tropical getaway in the Dominican Republic. With crystal clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, Saona Island is a true paradise that has been impressing visitors for over 500 years. On this full-day excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the island’s natural beauty and indulge in a variety of activities such as swimming, and lounging on the beach. You’ll also enjoy a traditional Dominican BBQ lunch served buffet style and have the chance to dance the merengue.

English, Espanol, Multilingual

Included/Excluded

• Bilingual guides: Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable experience on the tour. They will provide information about the island and its history, as well as answer any questions you may have.
• Roundtrip transportation: Convenient round-trip transportation from your Punta Cana resort is included in the tour price. This means that you won't have to worry about getting to and from the island – we'll take care of all the details.
• Catamaran and speedboat trip: On this excursion, you'll have the opportunity to travel to and from Saona Island on a catamaran or speedboat. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and the natural pool as you journey to the island.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages: Refreshments are included in the tour price, so you can enjoy a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during your time on the island.
• BBQ Lunch: A delicious BBQ lunch served buffet style is included in the tour price. Indulge in a variety of tasty dishes and fuel up for your day on the island.

Tour Itinerary

Description, reasons to visit saona island:, tour highlights.

• Stop at the Natural Pool, a crystal clear sand bar.
• Enjoy a traditional Dominican buffet-style lunch.
• Return the mainland in a speedboat or catamaran.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer transportation for from hotel/rental, how much does it cost to go to saona island, how long does it take to get from punta cana to saona island, why is saona island so popular, questions, or group options contact us below, don't just take our word for it, our clients love working with us, just read what they have to say.

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© 2024 Punta Cana Adventures

Saona Island Full Day Excursion from Punta Cana

• Dominican Buffet
• Rum and soft drinks
• Transportation with Pick up and Return to your hotel
• Speedboat and Catamaran to Isla Saona
• Pickup is from the main hotel lobby or a specific meeting point depending on your location; if you are staying in an apartment, we will specify the nearest meeting point.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Isla Saona Stop: 3 hours See details
• 2 Bayahibe Stop: 2 hours See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• Jessica G 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Punta Cana Long day full of activities. Worth the money paid for. Friendly tour guide Jorge and the driver Dario and also Karla. Great customer service. I really enjoyed myself and would definitely recommend and would do it again. Read more Written March 21, 2024
• melissamW6438FP 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Presently surprised Overall was great, Dune buggie died a few times then just switched us out to a new one. Everything was smooth sailing from the beach, to Cafe and coco tasting, and finished off with cave swimming. Read more Written March 8, 2024
• jhostind2024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Incredible I really liked the tour, I enjoyed it with excellent company and the attention I received was very good, I highly recommend it, the beautiful landscape and I would definitely go again Read more Written February 24, 2024
• twY1503ND 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible Company Stay away!! Do not use this company. There are many others that you can use. They picked me up outside my resort and I was told by the company that their truck was too big, yet I saw many other vehicles the same size who picked up passengers at the resort. We finally arrived and the buggies we used should have been junked years ago. I had to get jump started every time I had to turn of tue buggy. The steering wheel shifted in and out. We requested a different buggy, but was told the others were more money, yet other people n our group were given them. The worst part was trying to get back to the resort. The driver didn’t know where we were going, so he drove around dropping other people off after passing our resort. So we of course had to go back. A 20 minute trip to need up taking an hour. I originally requested a refund when they texted me the night before to tell me that I had to wait outside the resort. I called the Viator support number and after 45 minutes, was basically told I had to provide proof that the company told me that I had to wait for them outside the resort. They of course refused to refund my money! I was celebrating my birthday and this experience almost ruined it for me. I will never use this app again. I will book at the resort from now on. Read more Written January 13, 2024
• Road11816644157 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very nice activity to see the real dominicain world ! Really nice activity! Our driver Rudolpho and our guide Robinson were very good and very friendly. If you want to see the real world outside the resort, I recommend this tour for sure. Read more Written January 4, 2024
• Adventure49132015243 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Punta Cana Great Experience stauing at Dreams Macau in Punta Cana between Xmas and new years. The staff are really friendly and great selection of restaurants. Read more Written December 28, 2023
• Adventure49132015243 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Buggies with the family The buggy experience was good experience for the family especially families with older kids as they get to drive their own buggy. A good way to see local culture. Driving the buggies will require some effort to steer and brake, ie if your kids are soft I.e it’s not like the luxury cars your kids have. Staff is friendly and they picked us up and dropped us off outside our hotel. PS you will get dirty bring sunglasses and a gaiter to cover your mouth or you can purchase them onsite. Read more Written December 28, 2023
• michaelmE9899XN 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Added to the list of things not to do again! Picked up in a cattle cart. Buggy broke down. Most other buggies pumping out blue smoke were on the verge of breaking down. Replacement buggy went faster with my foot off the gas. It could barely go uphill. Macau beach appears to be a dumping ground for water plastic bottles. The resort beach is nicer. Felt harassed to purchase things, photos, coffee, cigars, beer etc. I get it, it's a business but they don't need to be so in your face about it. We had a good laugh about how poor it was. Added this to our list of "Things not to do again!" Read more Written December 14, 2023
• Passenger48365555597 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Lots of vendors and no water Buggy ride was very nice! Cave and beach where not so nice. A lot of vendors who won’t accept no… also the trip has to be with waterbottles, unfortunately there weren’t any. So had to buy one at the cave. Very unfortunate because we didnt bring our own bottles because it would be included in the trip. So thats a little false advertisement, bring water because youre gonna need it!! Read more Written September 21, 2023
• lucianalL806CU 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wow! highly recommend this tour company! This tour was amazing. From the moment I got picked up to the moment I left I had a great time. Our tour was on a Tuesday at 7:30am and we were lucky that our group was only about 5 people. Since it was a weekday, we felt like everything was very peaceful and like we had the whole beach and mountain to ourselves. Highly recommend booking on a weekday to avoid crowds. Since our group was small, we were able to travel in an air conditioned van and then switched to 4 wheel drive safari truck to go up the mountain. The drive from our hotels were about an hour. Robinson (tour guide) and Domingo (driver) were very welcoming and entertaining. They made us feel safe throughout the entire ride. I was traveling solo so Robinson offered to take awesome pictures of me, but there’s also photographers on the mountain to take pictures of you for an affordable price. The drive up the mountain was definitely bumpy, but it was fun! The food was so yummy too. The mountain was incredible. The beach was also incredible. It felt like a private beach when we went. Finally, we ended our trip with some car karaoke and sang to Dominican classics, as well as bill withers, Whitney Houston, funky town, girls just wanna have fun. Highly highly recommend this tour company! It was the highlight of my trip. Read more Written September 20, 2023
• akina r 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience, welcoming and friendly This excursion was beautiful. Our tour guide made us feel safe and kept us hydrated. The ride up the mountain was scary but he sang songs and made us laugh to distract us. Read more Written September 1, 2023
• Honest_Opinion69 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Total Scam, don't count on riding on the beach. The title and pictures insinuate that you'll ride on the beaches, however, this isn't true. The location where you get on the horses is far away from the beach, deep inland, so the whole excursion is riding the horse to the beach on the streets, take a photo on the beach and go back to the stables. There is no riding on a single beach, even more so having a tour of punta cana beaches. Very misleading. Secondly, you ride to the Macao Beach not the Uvero Alto beach as it says in the description. And let me emphasize, to the beach and back, not on the beach. On top of that, it supposed to be a 2hr experience, ours was 15min short. Could have used that 15 min to ride on the beach, but instead was rushed back to the stables. In addition, the transportation is a nightmare. Once you're done with your horseback ride, you have to wait for an hour or more to get a ride back to your hotel because this company also runs dune buggies and you have to wait till all the dune buggies come back from their ride so they can take all the people at once and drop them off at the hotels. Bottom line, if you're looking for a horseback ride that would include some inland and some beach riding, this isn't it. This is all inland on the streets riding to the beach and back. If you're ok with that, then consider it, otherwise, look elsewhere. Very dishonest description and title of this excursion. I assume all the spanish 5 star reviews are fakes, written by friends just to have a good rating. The actual company that does the excursion is called: Rancho Macao Adventure Boogies, located at QF33+G8 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Read more Written August 20, 2023
• X9320PZmichelleo 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fun but rushed It was fun. But we felt a bit rushed. 10 minutes at the cave and 20 mins at Macao Beach. Lots of kids on the side of the road asking for money. Read more Written August 6, 2023
• T8913IMjeffs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Never got to go on the trip that we paid for We booked this trip for our last day in Punta Caña, both of us got Montzuma’s revenge the night before, and we ended up not going. Since we cancelled the day of the trip and it was our last day in Punts Cana we lost the entire cost of the trip. Trip Adviser cancellation policy was clear but it still sucks to lose the entire cost of the trip due to something beyond our control. Read more Written July 31, 2023
• richard r 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Descent Buggy Tour. The buggies themselves were good, they didn't break down like a lot of the other tours. The guides were OK, kinda flew through their little presentations. Read more Written May 13, 2023

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Saona Island Full Day Excursion from Punta Cana provided by Santana Trip Punta Cana

Saona Island

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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SAONA ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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• From Punta Cana: Saona Island & Altos de Chavon Day Trip with Lunch and Open Bar (From £78.55)
• Full-Day Excursion in Saona Island (From £50.78)
• (4.16 mi) Casa Rural el Paraiso de Saona
• (4.25 mi) Casa Rosada Beach Front
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• (4.02 mi) Habitación Superior con Climatización

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Visiting Saona Island Excursion: What you need to know

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Table of Contents

Probably my favorite day in the Dominican Republic was when I did the excursion to the beautiful Saona Island. If you’re planning your Dominican Republic trip, check out this guide to see more information on the island and how to book your trip.

When I was backpacking the Dominican Republic , I made sure to spend a day exploring the island of Saona. I would highly recommend for anyone to do this trip!

What is Saona Island?

Saona Island is a beautiful island off the coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a protected area, so you can enjoy unspoiled beaches and miles of palm tree jungle. It’s a peaceful gateway for any kind of beachgoer and provides great snorkeling spots.

Where is Saona Island?

The island is located to the south of the country, between La Romana and Punta Cana. The best way to reach the island is by taking a tour from Punta Cana or even from Santo Domingo directly, since it includes transfer from your hotel to the port, the boat ride, food, and the way back.

Alternatively, you can try to make your way to the port yourself in Bayahibe, but you will still have to join an excursion in order to visit the island.

How much does the Saona Island tour cost?

I strongly recommend booking online a few days in advance so that you receive a confirmation and a cheaper price. I hadn’t booked in advance, so I ended up paying a bit more because I found a tour office in the city center. Expect to pay anywhere between $60 to $90 if you’re leaving from Punta Cana. Anything else is a scam. The trip from Santo Domingo is slightly more expensive because it’s farther.

The Catamaran ride

First, your transfer will drop you off in Bayahibe, where you will be placed onto various Catamaran boats. The boat ride lasts about 90 minutes and is on the open water, so be sure and wear sunscreen! I enjoyed getting my tan on in the front of the boat but there are some shaded areas.

On the boat, there will be salsa music playing and an open bar. After a few drinks, some of our fellow guests started dancing and it turned into a party.

There are also local guides who will go around the boat taking your picture. The guy I had was great, and also took amazing photos of me once we reached the island. I had fun posing for on the boat and in the sand, but the photos are very very expensive, so just be aware!

During this day trip, you’ll first take a transfer to the port, where you’ll have an open bar on a catamaran boat, filled with salsa music. There are several photographers onboard who took some amazing, albeit expensive photos both on the boat and on the island.

Isla Saona visit + buffet

When you get to the island you will be amazed at the insanely blue color of the sea and pristine white beaches! The island is a hidden little paradise, and you can spend your time wandering around, snorkeling, or basking in the sun on a lounge chair. There is still the open bar with basic drinks, or you can pay a little bit extra to enjoy a piña colada on the beach.

While on the island, you will also be treated to a traditional Dominican lunch- buffet style. They have some local dishes as well as some classic favorites for the picky eaters. The food was delicious!

Natural pool

After a few hours on the island, you’ll make a pit stop on the way back at a natural pool. The water there is a crystal clear blue. It’s really as clear as a manmade pool! There are many starfish who live there, but please do as the guides say and don’t touch them!! We want to preserve their natural habitat. You will spend a short amount of time there before heading back to conclude the day at the port.

Way back to shore

The ride back was in a smaller motor boat. It takes way less time, but a lot less fun! My friend had brought a speaker though so we had fun blaring music that everyone could dance and sing along to. The ride took maybe 20-30 minutes, and then we reached the shore, tipped our guides, and were taken to our transfer vans to bring us back to our hotel for the day.

Is Saona Island worth it?

Honestly, I think this day in Saona Island was my favorite day of the trip so I would definitely say it was worth it! The island is so beautiful and preserved, and I felt that I was in those Caribbean calendars that are hung in the office every year. The transportation alone would have made the price worth it, but it also included food AND drinks? What more could you ask for??

Solo traveler, budget backpacker, masters student, and small town Texas girl now gone global

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The Comments

Hi Jori! I’ll be visiting the Dominican Republic in March with some friends and we want to visit Saona Island. I was wondering which tour operator did you used? There are so many and really don’t know where to book.

Hi Gabriela! I strongly recommend this tour , since everything is included and it has hundreds of reviews! If you book once you’re there they will try to way overcharge you!

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Saona Island Excursion

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SAONA PRESTIGE / NATURAL POOL

Exclusive & authentic, from bayahibe, la romana & punta cana, pro excursions invites you to spend a day of prestige away from the touristic crowds in a brand new sail catamaran to the island of saona and las palmillas..

From our private base on Bayahibe, we will board a super Sail Catamaran to Saona Island . Departure is early in the morning in order to arrive first on the island.

Once there, you can enjoy the deserted beach as tourists arrive later. Get to enjoy thousands of coconut trees, miles of white sand and turquoise waters! Enjoy this magical moment to cool off in the Caribbean Sea or to perfect your tan.

After a good time on the beach, we will board the catamaran to head for a beautiful snorkeling stop at ”The Piers”. You will discover several species of fish and multicolored corals.

Our nautical base

Then we will go to the Natural Pool (also known as the ‘’blue lagoon’’ . On the edge of a beautiful beach full of coconut trees, the meal will be served directly on board to enjoy the tranquility of the place and its crystal clear waters . You will be served a delicious meal cooked on the grill (Choose between : Fresh fish and Shrimps or Lobster* or Beef Filet) , accompanied by salads, chickens and fresh fruit.

Here, in less than a meter of water, you will be able to discover the magnificent starfish and enjoy happy hour. At the end of the day, we will sail back to Bayahibe.

The schedule of this trip is specially designed to avoid the crowds by opting for an itinerary allowing you to enjoy this heavenly part of the Caribbean.

*Lobster will not be available during the VEDA (March to June)

A very confortable 50 feet Sail Catamaran. Boat features toilet, shower, latter to get in the water, music, roof, solarium and Bar. Small and Friendly group.

Wet bar for soft drinks, beer, rum, snacks – fruits, vanilla cake and nachos on the boat. Professional snorkeling equipment, fish I.D. cards, snorkeling course. Lunch on board with choice of Fresh Fish, Shrimps or Beef Filet. including pink wine.  

Captain, Skipper, Animation , English Guide.

Live the ultimate experience on the caribbean Sea!

Internet Rate

Special offer: us $ 149 per adult, regular us $ 165 per adult.

Children under 12 years of age: US $ 99 per child

We request a 20% deposit to confirm the reservation.

• For the Bayahibe and Dominicus area: transportation included.
• Punta Cana: add US $ 25 per person*
• Uvero Alto / Cap Cana: add US $ 40 per person*
• Boca Chica: add US $ 40 per person*
• Bahía La Romana: add US $ 20 per person*

*minimum 4 people

OTHER EXCURSIONS

SNORKELING AT CATALINA ISLAND

On a 50 feet Sails Catamaran

JUNGLE ADVENTURE

Pro Colors of the Dominican Republic

In Sail Catamaran, away from the crowds...

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Private Saona Island Excursion

Saona island punta cana, dominican republic.

Max. 7 people: $630

Boat departs from Bayahibe. We can arrange private pick-up from any hotel / resort in Punta Cana or the surrounding areas. Please get in touch for a quote.

Saona Island Excursion Overview

• Saona Island is one of the most beautiful and exclusive spots in the Dominican Republic. With our Private Saona Island Excursion, you can experience it like never before.
• Relax on your own stylish boat, with your own captain at your service, and enjoy this slice of paradise all to yourself on your private Saona Island day trip.
• Our Saona Island Excursion is the perfect way to escape the crowds and soak up some sun and culture with plenty of room for relaxation and exploration. Your private tour gives you the chance to explore the beach and island without the crowds; a truly unique Caribbean paradise experience.
• We only offer private boat tours – only your group will participate on your Saona Island tour.

Looking for a large group excursion? We have larger boats to accommodate up to 100 guests and can even offer a catamaran excursion. Contact us to customize your perfect your.

Saona island map.

Your Saona Island Excursion Details

Your private boat departs from Bayahibe at 10.30. To get to our departure location, we can offer transportation from Punta Cana / Bavaro in our high-end transporter for an additional charge. The journey from Punta Cana to your boat or catamaran takes about 75 minutes.

You’ll start by relaxing in the beautiful shallow-water ‘natural pool’ of the national park. These turquoise waters are amazing and make for a great start to your day on the water. From here we make a short stop to visit the starfish at Palmilla. Here you can snorkel to better see the unique Caribbean sea life in the area. Take this opportunity to enjoy another swim and truly unwind in the crystal clear and shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea.

From there, you’ll continue on your Saona Island excursion. You will pass by the mangroves and get to take in the unique ecosystem in this area as we explore the coast. Some of the sea life you might encounter includes sea turtles! And if you are lucky, you might even see dolphins.

Next stop will be “Playa Catuano” on Saona Island. Catuano Beach is the tropical beach you imagine when you think of the Caribbean. White sand, palm trees and the crystal waters of the sea right in front of you. Here is where you will have time to enjoy one of the local restaurants for lunch – we recommend trying some of the delicious seafood from one of the many establishments on offer (please note, lunch is not included in the cost of your tour). Sit back and relax – enjoy a swim, amazing local cuisine and even a cocktail. You can also explore the beach and surrounding areas, as well as snorkel to spot the brightly colored tropical fish.

Looking to explore Saona Island, Punta Cana, further? We can arrange add-ons to your Saona Island excursion, including visits to Playa Toro or Playa Toro & Mano Juan. Speak to our team to learn more about tour add-ons and the costs associated.

After you have soaked up the sun on Isla Saona, we will reboard your private boat and head back to Bayahibe. Your Soana Island excursion isn’t over yet though! On the way home, we will stop off to enjoy more snorkeling at the reef near Bayahibe before pulling back into the same location we departed from.

Our Guests Love Our Dominican Republic Experiences:

All About Your Private Saona Island Excursion

Soana island excursion highlights.

• A private excursion guarantees a luxurious and customizable experience, with the boat and crew all to yourselves
• Discover beautiful shallow-water pools and blue lagoon-like water of the Caribbean
• Sunbathe, swim, snorkel, sightsee, and soak up the scenery, all in the privacy of your own tour group and personalized experience
• Private boat with captain
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Entrance to the National Park (bracelet)
• A bottle of Dominican rum + soft drinks + water + cooler with ice
• Transportation to and from your hotel. We can offer pick-ups and drop-offs for an additional cost: Bavaro, Cabeza de Toro and Cap Cana: $175 / Uvero Alto: $195
• Private photoshoot, including video available for $185
• Lunch: order what you like upon arrival at the restaurant, and pay on-site
• Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a towel!

Cancelation policy

• Change of plans? Don’t worry! We’ll refund your money if you cancel at least 5 days before the tour date
• Tours can be canceled due to weather conditions
• Any cancellation due to a COVID-related flight cancellation will be reimbursed

What to Know

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals are allowed
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Towels are not provided

Return Details

• Returns to the original departure point

Book Your Private Saona Island Excursion

Why choose punta cana hero as your private saona island excursion provider.

• We offer truly VIP private tours that enable you to ditch the packed boats and catamarans. We provide a comfortable private experience that you can enjoy with your friends or family.
• We pride ourselves on offering unique tours. If you have a something on your wish list for your excursion, let us know! We create personalized trips for customers every day and want to make your experience a truly unique one that you’ll love.
• Punta Cana Hero offer a range of excursion add-ons to make your tour one of a kind. We can help you with collection and drop-off from your private accommodation, hotel or resort in Punta Cana or the surrounding areas. We can also offer food recommendations and other recommendations to get the best out of your time in the Dominican Republic.
• We care. Our operators know, respect and care for the local environment. That means that we know the best local spots and avoid the areas that are often frequented by the mass tourism operators. We also proudly support the Nature Conservancy Project. Our donations help to protect and preserve the local area.
• We offer the ultimate in booking flexibility. If you have a change of plans, no worries. Just let us know at least 5 days before your tour date and we’ll refund 100% of your booking.

Saona Island Excursion Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get from punta cana to saona island.

It will take about 1.5 hours. Punta Cana to Bayahibe, our excursion departure point, takes approximately 75 minutes in our luxury transporter (this is an additional cost). From there the boat ride is short but our tour includes some stops on the way to Saona Island.

Why is Saona Island famous?

Isla Saona is famous for many reasons! It’s actually been used in some famous movies – Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Lagoon to name a few. It’s also a popular destination for nature lovers because of its picturesque scenery – palm trees, white sand beach and turquoise waters. It is also a very relaxing setting with amazing sea and wildlife. Saona Island is the perfect tropical island to really bask in a true Caribbean experience.

What should I bring to Punta Cana Saona Island?

To ensure you make the most our of all the activities and relaxation our Saona Island tour can offer, we recommend that customers pack your bathing suit and towel, a hat, sunscreen, footwear that you can easily slip on and off but that is also comfortable, and something warm to wear for the ride home. Sunglasses are also recommended! Feel free to bring some snacks (we provide water and some other beverages!) to keep you going either side of lunch – enjoying beautiful Saona Island can make you hungry!

Is your Saona Island Excursion suitable for children?

Children are definitely welcome on our tours! We have snorkel and water safety equipment to ensure your kids have the best experience with us. Please note, whilst our crew and captain are on hand to keep you safe and ensure you have a great time with us, it’s important to keep a close eye on children when around, on or in the water.

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Saona Island Adventure

Saona Island is located in the South of Dominican Republic. It´s the largest of the Dominican Republic’s islands and what´s more is part of the Protected Natural Park of the East. Saona Island is home to many migratory, unique birds. The natural beauty of Island such as pristine beaches, transparatent, crystal water and colorful reefs attract visitors from the whole world. The reefs at Saona are considered among the TOP 3 in Dominican Republic!

You certainly do not want to miss this fun-loaded snorkeling adventure, at one of the most beautiful islands and reefs in Dominican Republic!

SAONA ISLAND EXCURSION PROGRAM:

10:00 AM  Departure by Boat 10:30 AM 2 snorkeling sessions 13:00 PM  Lunch on the island. Time to relax on the beach or snorkel on the shore. 03:15 PM  Departure to the natural pool. 04:35 PM  Return to Bayahibe.

Included in the price: Entrance to the Dominican Natural Marine Park. Snorkelers equipment. Food and drink on the island. Drink available on the boat (including Beer and Rum – served in the end of excursion, on the way back)

We promise that this is going to be one of the highlights of your holiday. You will be fascinated by natural beauty not only underwater but also on the surface. We guarantee that you will be delighted by this island and its wonderful reefs.

During the return trip, we will stop at the famous natural pool located in the middle of the ocean, where you can get off the boat and walk on the sandy bottom located in the middle of deep waters. While enjoying your favorite drink, make sure you don’t step on any starfish. You just have to see it to believe it!

Face the sun, enjoy tropical music in the background and just relax in this stunning Caribbean paradise.

Saona Island Adventure KID

Regular price: us$65.00, online price with 10% discount: us$58.50.

Saona Island Adventure ADULT

Regular price: us$120.00, online price with 10% discount: us$108.00.

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Chao Cacao Tours Estrella de las impresionantes de aguas de nuestro Mar Caribe. Se recomienda mantenerlas dentro del agua.

Chao Cacao Tours Catamarán Isla Saona. Navega sobre las aguas cristalinas del Mar Caribe con la mejor calidad y servicio garantizados.

Chao Cacao Tours... Pareja disfrutando de sesión de fotos en nuestra bella Isla Saona.

Isla Saona Vip Tours 5 in 1 with party in comfortable Catamaran and natural pool with the stars of the sea:

All the best of the Dominican Republic for you.

All inclusive:​

Marine transport:  motomaran  y  catamaran  with party and entertainment program.

Comfortable and safe transfer from your hotel to Bayahibe.  Round Trip.

Beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters in the Caribbean Sea. Cotubanama National Park.

We arrive on our Costa Romántica Catamaran at  Fan Beach.

You can visit several more picturesque beaches that are nearby.

Great Buffet Lunch:  rice, fruits, salads, meat, pasta, seafood pasta, chicken. 

Unlimited drinks:  water, coke, sprite, rum, beer at lunch.

Certified guide in the corresponding language.

Departure every day from Punta Cana at 7:30 am and return to the hotel at 6:30 pm.

Departure from the meeting point in Bayahibe at 9:30 am. Return to the hotel at 5:00 pm​

We accept cash  (dollars, euros and Dominican pesos).

When paying by credit card, you can charge from a  10 to 18%  additional.

Payment is made on the day of the excursion. Reservations are made without prepayment.

Best prices and top quality guaranteed:

50 USD per adult with our pick up from Punta Cana. Children from 4 years travel free. From 5 to 11 years old they pay 30 USD. From the age of 12 as an adult.

Departure every day.

​Guests staying in hotels in the Uvero Alto area and the Cap Cana area pay 60 usd per adult.

60 USD  per adult with our pick up  from Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana, Jarabacoa, Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Vega. 

4 Year olds travel  free.  From 5 to 11 years old pay  30 USD .  From the age of 12 as an adult.

Departure on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Group of 5 adults or more can leave any day. 

​You can request an individual or private transfer. We offer you the best prices. Minibuses up to 15 people

por   $130.

55 USD  Special price for a group de  10 adults and more.

45   USD  per adult with our pick up from your hotel in Bayahibe. Children under 4 years travel  free . From 5 to 11 years old they pay  $30 .

From the age of 12 as an adult.

40 USD  per adult without our pick-up service. Departure from the  meeting point in Bayahibe.

35 USD  per adult special price for  10 adults and more.

Children under 4 years travel  free . From 5 to 11 years old they pay  $20.   From the age of 12 as an adult.

You arrive in your own means of transport. We meet at 9:30 am on the Bayahibe beach.

Departure every day. ​

Since  55 USD  per person...

Private Tours Saona Island by speedboat or catamaran or yacht.

Write to us and we will create for you the best individual trip in the Caribbean or in the Atlantic, according to your wishes. Depending on the size of your group, shipping and other conditions, we will select the best prices. By boat we can visit Mano Juan, Canto la playa and other beaches. The capacity of the boats is from 8 to 60 people.

What you would be interested in knowing about Isla Saona:

Saona Island is considered a tourist paradise in the Dominican Republic, becoming the most visited destination by thousands of tourists every year.

You can't miss this adventure on an island bathed in sun, tropical breezes with warm crystal clear waters, white sand.

Excursion itinerary:

1. The Adventure begins in Bayahibe, a tourist town founded by fishermen that has now become a beach paradise.

2. We depart on a catamaran towards the Caribbean Sea and enjoy 1.5 hours of navigation, entertainment and Dominican paradise until we reach Isla Saona.

3.  On the left side in the direction of travel you will see Dominicus beach, where the most popular hotels on the south coast of the Dominican Republic are located, the tourist area de  La Romana and Bayahibe.

4. Further on is the Catuano Channel, which separates the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Hispaniola and Saona Islands. Surrounded mainly by coconut palms and mangroves, extensive beaches with crystal clear and calm waters, this small but beautiful island is nothing less than a tropical paradise that every visitor to the Dominican Republic desires.

​5. The total area of ​​Saona Island is 110 square kilometers. About 500 people live on the island. These are mainly fishing families, beach and kitchen staff. You can stay at Mano Juan. To do this, you will need to spend the night on the island of Saona.

6. On the Costa Romántica catamaran we arrive at Abanico beach on Isla Saona.

You can visit some of the most picturesque beaches that are located nearby. And see interesting palm trees in any position.

7. There is no electricity on Saona Island, we will cook you an amazing dinner on an open fire, without adding oil.

For 3 hours we enjoyed the paradisiacal beaches of Isla Saona.

8. Then, in a motor boat, we go to a natural pool, where tourists usually take pictures with starfish. Attention. Please never take a starfish out of the water. In the natural pool we relax for 30 minutes.

9. Once in Bayahibe, we go to different hotels.

Tour duration: full day, 9 hours.

Recommendations:​

​Please bring towels, sunscreen, bathroom accessories, hats, and sunglasses.

​For an additional fee, you can request a  Photoshoot , enjoy a pineapple cocktail (piña colada), fresh coconut flavor, cook fresh fish, lobster and shrimp.

​Book here additional services, in this case we guarantee the best prices and quality services.

During the trip, the team may ask you for tips. Don't forget you only pay tips if you want to.

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The Ultimate Guide to Saona Island

Saona Island (or Isla Saona), is situated 12 miles from the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. It’s picturesque turquoise beaches attract thousands of visitors each day in search of postcard perfect Caribbean views. With an average of 3,000 visitors per day, it is the most popular tourist destination in the Dominican Republic. For visitors looking to spend a day in the powdery white sand beaches and see a bit more of the Dominican Republic, here is an ultimate guide to exploring Saona Island.

History of Saona Island 

Saona Island was originally inhabited by the Taino Indians prior to the Spanish Conquista. The original name of the Island was “Adamanay” a name given by the Taino. On his second voyage to Hispaniola, Columbus landed in Saona. At the time the island was considered separate from Hispaniola, and was named “Saona” by Christopher Columbus in honor of his friend Michele da Cuneo from Savonna, Italy. Within 3 decades since the Spanish conquest, the Taino population of the Dominican Republic had drastically diminished. Old world diseases such as small pox and inhumane work conditions led to the extinction of the Taino populations throughout the Caribbean. Saona, once again became an uninhabited island until the 1940’s when President Trujillo sent the development of a small village to be named Mano Juan. During the Trujillo dictatorship many political objectors were exiled to Saona. Today Saona Island is a part of the National Park of the East, later changed to Cotubanama National Park , in memory of the Taino Chief who rebelled against the Spanish invasion.

Getting There

Located 12 miles from the Southern coast of the Dominican Republic, most Excursions to Saona Island require a commute to the fishing village of Bayahibe. From here dozens of operators depart every morning via sailing catamarans, speed boats or yachts. Visitors staying in the popular tourist destination of Punta Cana can expect approximately a 1.5  hours commute to Bayahibe, depending on the resort location. From there the Sailing trip to Saona is 2 Hours.

Things to Do in Saona Island

Palmilla sandbank.

The waist deep sandbank near Palmilla beach is the afternoon hangout spot for many of the speed boats returning from Saona. With impressive views of Cotubanama National park (formerly the East National Park) from the natural pool, guests can enjoy an elegant display of contrasting shades of blue. A natural habitat for starfish which are often seen on the sand floor. Although visitors might be tempted to remove the starfish from the water for a natural picture opportunity, it is recommended that these unique creates are left alone since removing them can result in tissue damage and toxicity from sunscreen.

NUMEROUS BEACHES TO CHOOSE FROM

It is with no surprise that the most popular thing to do in Saona Island is sunbathing and swimming in the beach. With endless miles of palm studded beaches, Saona reflects a relaxing Caribbean vibe that attracts visitors to it’s impressive natural beauty. Some of the popular beaches in Saona Island are Canto de Playa, Playa Bonita and Playa del Gato. One of the best way to explore the various beaches on the island is walking.

RELAXING MASSAGE ON THE BEACH

What better way to get into the blissful mood in paradise other than by a relaxing beach massage? For the visitors that are looking to enhance their level of bliss, a beach side massage with the sounds of the waves and the scent of tropical coconuts is a delightful experience to have at Saona.

TOWN OF MANO JUAN 

The small fishing village of Mano Canto with it’s pastel color wooden houses is the perfect trip to experience a true Dominican fishing community. With a population of less than 500 people, this small village depends on tourism and fishing for their livelihood. For visitors interested learning a more about Dominican culture, a trip to Mano Canto is a must in your Saona Island Excursion itinerary. Before booking any tour, consult with the representative that the excursion indeed does pass by Mano Canto, as very few tours visit the small fishing village.

TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT

Saona Island is the most important turtle breeding grounds in the Dominican Republic. If you do get to visit the town of Mano Canto during turtle season, it is highly recommended to visit the turtle conservation project. Led by Negro, a local in the community with the purpose of cultivating the marine turtle populations.  Negro collects the eggs from high risks nest to store them in a safe environment until the baby turtle hatch. After hatching the turtles are returned to the sea.

SNORKELING NEAR SAONA ISLAND

Shore snorkeling can be experienced on certain beaches at Saona Island. Don’t expect to stop by the best snorkeling locations on a general Saona Island Excursion, as these tours are more geared towards sailing than snorkeling.  Guests that are interested in exploring some of the coral reefs in the National Park of the East (Saona is part of the national park) we recommend looking for a Saona Island Excursion that includes Snorkeling. Most smaller groups Excursions to Saona Island will not only be tailored for scuba divers and snorkelers, but will explore more parts of the East National Park.

SCUBA DIVING IN SAONA ISLAND

Although not considered as  one of the top activities in Saona Island, since few tour operators promote trips to explore the marine ecosystems around Saona. However, the coral reefs system around Saona and the southeastern coast are among the most vivid and diverse in the Dominican Republic. From underwater museums to shipwrecks, the unique marine ecosystems near Saona Island offer superb diving. One of the best way to explore the dives sites is to plan a Scuba Diving Excursion to Saona Island , for a day of top notch diving.

Saona Island offers something for every traveler from stunning natural scenery, diverse marine ecosystems and picturesque beaches. Although it is popular tourism destination, with hundreds of daily visitors flocking the beaches, it is a part of the Dominican Republic that is sure not to be missed. With the right expectation and trip itinerary that meets your specific objectives, Saona Island might just be the perfect day trip to experience a unique side of the Dominican Republic.