Air-conditioned van picks you up at your hotel and drives 1h45 to Bayahibe marina.
2
Catamaran & natural pool
Sail to the famous natural pool in the middle of the sea. Open bar, music, snorkel gear.
3
Saona Beach & buffet
Speedboat to Saona Island for swimming, Caribbean buffet lunch and free time on the beach.
The most famous day trip in the Dominican Republic
Saona Island sits inside Cotubanamá National Park and is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean: white sand, leaning palm trees, transparent water. The classic full-day tour from Punta Cana combines catamaran, speedboat, natural pool and a Dominican buffet lunch.
You'll spend roughly 1h on the catamaran with open bar and music, 45 minutes swimming in the natural pool (a sandbank in the middle of the sea where starfish live), and 3-4 hours on Saona Island itself with lunch and free time.
What to bring
Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes), reef-safe sunscreen, hat, towel, waterproof camera and small cash for souvenirs at the village stop. The tour provides snorkel gear, lunch and unlimited drinks.
Cómo es el día completo a Isla Saona
El tour a Isla Saona desde Punta Cana es un día completo de 9-10 horas. Pickup en hotel temprano, viaje en bus a Bayahibe (1.5h), ida en catamarán con música y bebidas, parada en la piscina natural (banco de arena en medio del mar con estrellas de mar), almuerzo bufé dominicano en la playa de Mano Juan y regreso en lancha rápida.
Saona forma parte del Parque Nacional del Este (Cotubanamá), una de las áreas protegidas más grandes del Caribe. La isla está habitada solo por la pequeña comunidad de Mano Juan, pescadores que han vivido allí por generaciones.
Saona Island full-day itinerary, hour by hour
07:30–08:30 — Hotel pickup in air-conditioned van across the Bávaro / Punta Cana / Uvero Alto corridor. Pickup window depends on your hotel zone; the driver coordinates the exact time the night before via WhatsApp.
08:30–10:00 — Scenic drive on the Coral Highway to Bayahibe marina (1h30). Quick stop for restrooms and to meet the catamaran crew.
10:00–11:30 — Catamaran sail with open bar (rum cocktails, beer, soft drinks, water), live Dominican music and snorkel briefing.
11:30–12:15 — Natural pool stop: a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea where you stand waist-deep, see starfish and swim around the catamaran.
12:15–13:00 — Speedboat transfer to Saona Island (Mano Juan village).
13:00–14:30 — Caribbean buffet lunch on the beach: grilled chicken & fish, rice, salads, fresh fruit, dessert.
14:30–16:00 — Free time on Saona: swim, walk the leaning-palm beach, buy souvenirs in Mano Juan, take photos.
16:00–17:30 — Speedboat return to Bayahibe and van back to your hotel. Drop-off between 18:00 and 19:00.
What's included on the Saona Island tour — and what isn't
Included: round-trip hotel pickup in A/C van, catamaran sail, speedboat ride, natural pool snorkel stop with gear, full Dominican buffet lunch on the beach, unlimited open bar all day (rum, beer, soft drinks, water), bilingual guide, all park and port fees, life jackets for kids.
Not included: gratuities for guides and crew (10–15% customary if you enjoyed the day), souvenir purchases in Mano Juan village, professional photo packages sold on board, and travel insurance. There are no hidden surcharges at the end of the day — what you book is what you pay.
Qué incluye
Hotel pickup & drop-off
Catamaran with open bar
Natural pool stop with snorkeling
Speedboat ride to Saona
Caribbean buffet lunch on the beach
Bilingual guide
All taxes and park fees
Preguntas frecuentes
How long is the Saona Island tour?
About 9 hours door-to-door, including ~3.5 hours of land transfer round trip and 4-5 hours on the water and the island.
Is Saona Island worth it?
Yes — it's the #1 rated excursion in Punta Cana for a reason. White sand, turquoise water and the natural pool in the middle of the sea are unique.
Can children go?
Yes. Kids 5-12 pay a reduced rate, under 5 are free. Life jackets provided.
What about seasickness?
The sea is usually calm Dec-April. If you're prone to motion sickness, take a tablet 30 minutes before departure.
What exactly is included in the Saona Island excursion price?
Hotel pickup & drop-off, catamaran with open bar, speedboat to Saona, snorkel gear at the natural pool, Caribbean buffet lunch on the beach, bilingual guide, all park and port fees, and life jackets. No hidden surcharges.
What is NOT included in the Saona tour?
Gratuities for guides and crew (10–15% if you enjoyed it), souvenirs in Mano Juan village, optional professional photo packages, and travel insurance. Everything else is covered.
What should I wear and bring to Saona Island?
Wear your swimsuit under light clothes, sandals or flip-flops, hat and sunglasses. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, a dry bag for your phone, a waterproof camera and small cash for souvenirs and tips.
What time does the Saona excursion start and end?
Hotel pickup is between 07:30 and 08:30 depending on your zone, and drop-off is between 18:00 and 19:00 — about 10–11 hours door-to-door.
¿Qué métodos de pago aceptan?
Pago online seguro con tarjeta o PayPal antes del servicio, o en efectivo (USD / DOP / EUR) al conductor o guía. No se requiere depósito para reservar.
¿Hablan inglés y español?
Sí. Todos nuestros conductores y guías son bilingües (español/inglés). Soporte por WhatsApp 24/7 al +1-849-449-5599.
¿Puedo cancelar sin penalización?
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes del servicio. Cancelaciones de última hora se gestionan por WhatsApp caso por caso.
