Season and operation
Tours operate year-round, always subject to sea conditions and authorization from maritime authorities. If the port closes, you can reschedule or request the applicable refund.
From Santo Domingo
Shared Excursion to Saona Island from Santo Domingo
The most affordable and fun way to discover Saona leaving from the capital
+9
Duration 12-14 Hours
Vessel Catamaran with party & Speedboat return
Transport Shared A/C Bus (Early morning departure)
Cancellation Review conditions
Focus of this excursion
Fun, meeting travelers, the classic catamaran party with music, dancing, and open bar.
Full Description
The ideal trip to escape the capital city and spend a dreamy beach day. We will pick you up early in the morning at central meeting points in Santo Domingo to head to Bayahíbe (approx. 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, we will board the catamaran to begin the party with Caribbean music and dance. Enjoy the famous Natural Pool and relax on the crystalline beach of Saona with a delicious buffet lunch included.
YOUR EXCURSION, STEP BY STEP
How your day unfolds
- 01
05:30 - 06:15
Pickup at main meeting points in Santo Domingo.
- 02
06:15 - 08:45
2.5-hour highway drive to Bayahíbe with a brief comfort stop.
- 03
09:00
Arrival and boarding the Catamaran at Bayahíbe pier.
- 04
10:30 - 11:15
Stop at the Natural Pool, toast with Dominican Rum, and swimming.
- 05
12:00
Arrival at the tropical paradise of Saona Island.
- 06
12:30 - 14:00
Dominican buffet lunch and free beach time.
- 07
15:15
Exciting speedboat return ride to Bayahíbe.
- 08
16:15
Boarding the bus and departure back to Santo Domingo.
- 09
19:00 - 19:30
Arrival back at the original meeting points in Santo Domingo.
Times are approximate. The team coordinates the exact pickup and any itinerary adjustments for your service.
What is included in the tour?
✓Specific central pickup points in Santo Domingo
✓Roundtrip land transport in air-conditioned buses
✓Large Catamaran cruise with entertainment and music
✓Fast return journey in Speedboat
✓Mandatory stop at the waist-deep Natural Pool
✓Traditional Dominican buffet lunch on Saona Island
✓Open bar with domestic drinks (Rum, water, soft drinks)
✓Escort guide and route coordinator
Not included in the price
✗Breakfast before departure from Santo Domingo
✗Door-to-door pickup outside the listed meeting points
✗Towel, sunscreen, and personal items
✗Professional photos, souvenirs, tips, and imported drinks
Practical information
Everything clear before leaving for Saona
Clear timing, preparation, and conditions so you can book the right option and arrive ready at your pickup point.
Pickup and return
The route starts at approximately 05:30 - 06:15 and ends around 19:00 - 19:30. Exact pickup depends on the hotel and is confirmed before the tour; please be in the lobby 10 minutes early. For the private option, transport is included only in Bayahibe and La Romana; Punta Cana and other areas pay the transport difference.
Booking confirmation
After completing payment in Stripe, you receive an ODT reference and the booking appears under My Bookings. Unpaid WhatsApp requests remain pending until our team confirms availability and pickup.
Food and drinks
Includes a Dominican buffet lunch and local drinks: rum, beer, water, and soft drinks. Service may vary between the boat and the beach area.
Breakfast and snacks
Breakfast is not included. Since departure may be early, eat before pickup or bring a simple snack. Tell us in advance about any allergy or dietary need.
Families with children
Children may participate when accompanied by an adult. Enter their ages when booking so we can coordinate boarding, and contact us before paying if you are traveling with a baby or need special assistance.
Route order
The captain may reverse the order of the catamaran, speedboat, or stops due to tides, marine traffic, weather, or port instructions. Your booked option and main stops remain whenever it is safe.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, light dry clothes, hat, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, waterproof pouch, and optional cash for souvenirs or tips.
Safety and mobility
The speedboat can involve strong movement. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with serious back conditions; contact us before paying if you need an accommodation.
No future card charges
At least 5 days in advance you can pay a deposit or the full amount; less than 5 days in advance requires full payment. Both are one-time payments: we do not store your card or authorize future charges. Any deposit balance is paid on the tour day.
Protect the Natural Pool: observe and photograph starfish underwater without lifting, handling, or moving them from their habitat.
Upgrade VIP
Choose a boat just for your group
Compare available yachts, photographs and capacity. Pricing is for the whole boat; transport from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo is arranged separately. You can also review the Speed Boat Moises private speedboat option.
Choose how you travel
Shared, VIP or private: know the difference
VIP describes a package. Private means the boat is reserved only for your group.
Catamaran + speedboat
Classic shared tour
Travel with other visitors. Hotel pickup, beach time, buffet and selected drinks are included in the classic option. Boat order and the natural-pool stop depend on the day’s operation.
From
US$69
per adultExclusive boat · 10 or 20 guests
Your own private yacht
Choose the actual yacht, view its photographs and check its capacity. The full boat price applies even for a smaller group. Review the inclusions and pickup of the selected package.
From
US$2,999
per yachtSaona VIP · shared speedboat →
Mano Juan, beaches and optional snorkelling. The conservation visit depends on availability.
Private speedboat · Speed Boat Moises →
A separate private-boat option with its own itinerary, inclusions and group quotation.
Select your date and travellers to review the final total and conditions before payment.
Help Desk / FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before embarking to Saona Island paradise.
From Punta Cana, the land ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on a modern highway. From Santo Domingo, the estimated travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes via the Autovía del Este highway. All transfers are in modern, fully air-conditioned tourist buses.
We recommend bringing a swimsuit (worn under your clothes), a beach towel, biodegradable sunscreen (to protect coral reefs), sunglasses, a hat or cap, light dry clothes to change, a camera (preferably waterproof), and cash for tips or buying local souvenirs/handicrafts.
Crucial conservation note: DO NOT lift starfish out of the water under any circumstances, as they suffocate in just a few seconds. You can admire them underwater and take photos respectfully without manipulating them, cooperating with the protection of this natural marine habitat.
The regular Catamaran excursion is suitable for children (we offer discounted rates for kids under 12). However, speedboat transfers can be a bit bumpy due to ocean waves, so speedboats are NOT recommended for pregnant women or people with severe spine conditions. On private tours, we can customize smoother boats or adjust the navigation speed.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion starts with a 100% refund of your deposit. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice or do not show up (no-show), the deposit is non-refundable. Date reschedules are allowed and free up to 12 hours before the tour, subject to availability.
Safety is our absolute top priority. If the maritime authorities (Dominican Navy) suspend departures due to tropical storms or hazardous waves, we will offer you a free date reschedule or an immediate 100% refund of your payment or deposit.
Yes. We schedule tours throughout the year, including weekends, whenever sea conditions and maritime authorities allow navigation. A short rain shower does not automatically mean cancellation; the decision is based on safe port and route conditions.
The classic tour includes a Dominican buffet and local drinks such as rum, beer, water, and soft drinks. The private tour includes a premium lunch in a reserved area and an open bar with local and international drinks. Lobster is not included; when available it can be requested as an optional on-site extra.
After completing the deposit or full payment in Stripe, we generate an ODT reference and the booking appears under My Bookings. We also coordinate the exact pickup time and location by email or WhatsApp. An unpaid WhatsApp request remains pending until our team confirms it.
We recommend booking 24 to 72 hours ahead. For private tours, large groups, weekends, and holidays, booking 3 to 7 days ahead is best because private boats and exclusive transport have limited availability.
The estimated window appears in the itinerary. The exact time is confirmed when we organize the route for your hotel or address. Enter the correct accommodation and be in the lobby 10 minutes early with your booking reference.
No. The excursion includes the lunch listed for each option, but breakfast is not included. Since pickup may be early, we recommend eating before departure or bringing a simple snack for the road transfer.
It is a shallow sandbar off the coast of Cotubanama National Park. Water is usually waist to chest deep depending on the tide. We stop there to swim and observe marine life without lifting or handling starfish.
Not necessarily. The captain and operations team may reverse the navigation order or adjust times due to marine traffic, tides, weather, or port instructions. Your booked option and main stops remain unless a safety condition requires a change.