With its swaying palm trees, powder-white sands, and starfish-filled natural pools, Saona Island (Isla Saona) is every bit the postcard image of a Caribbean paradise. Reachable only by boat, the island makes a popular choice for a day trip from Punta Cana. Here are your options.
Group Tours
Group tours offer the best value for your money and typically include plenty of stops for swimming and snorkeling at the island’s beaches and natural swimming pools, along with a buffet lunch, an open bar, and onboard entertainment. Some tours also include a stop at Los Altos de Chavon, a visit to the island villages of Mano Juan and Catuano, or snorkeling and wildlife watching in the Del Este National Park.
Private Tours
Private tours ensure a personalized experience and can be tailored to your preferences, so you can fill your day with water sports and outdoor activities, or seek out a deserted beach to relax and sunbathe. A private tour can also be a big time saver. You’ll avoid long transfers with multiple pickups and drop-offs, and head straight to the island instead.
Things to Know
Saona Island is located off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic and is reachable by boat from Bayahibe. A speedboat transfer to the island takes about 40 minutes, while catamaran cruises take two hours.
Full-day tours from Punta Cana typically last between eight and 10 hours.
Be sure to bring everything you need with you, as there are no shops on the island.
Most full-day Saona Island tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transfers from Punta Cana, and lunch.
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