Punta Cana Saona Island Catamaran Tour: A Detailed Review

Visiting Saona Island from Punta Cana is really something a lot of people seem to want to do when they visit the Dominican Republic! People always ask, is it actually worth the money and time? I mean, spending a whole day on a boat to get to a remote beach requires some deliberation. So, this is everything I know, based on firsthand experience, on how this adventure typically unfolds and what you might expect. I can tell you that, the pictures you see are usually a very accurate representation of what the beaches there really look like!

What’s the Saona Island Catamaran Tour About?

The Saona Island Catamaran tour is a full-day excursion. Very often, people taking the trip go from Punta Cana to a tropical island paradise! Saona, found inside of the Parque Nacional Cotubanamá, is a picture-perfect destination. Basically, you get a blend of sailing on a catamaran, stopping at really stunning beaches, swimming in super inviting, aquamarine water, and quite a bit of sun! It’s meant to be a relaxed, enjoyable experience for travelers hoping to soak in some of what makes the Dominican Republic such an awesome place to be. The typical tour package includes transportation from and to your hotel, which is useful; the boat trip; lunch (which is frequently a buffet on the beach); and an open bar.

Getting There: Transportation and the Initial Boat Ride

Typically, things start with a pick-up from your resort. Usually, it’s in a motor coach. I mean, they try and pack it full! Now, depending on where you’re staying in Punta Cana, the drive to the boat launch area, which is typically in Bayahibe, could be anywhere from 45 minutes to maybe 1.5 hours. Keep this in mind when determining if the full day trip is OK with you. Bayahibe is a quaint fishing, boating area. That is where your catamaran will be waiting. Oh, that’s right, and vendors! Keep in mind that they like to be really pushy, selling paintings, jewelry and souvenirs. I’m saying this, because they will be there, they’ll be quite forward, and you shouldn’t be alarmed, it’s all part of the experience, in some respects. The catamaran part of the trip normally starts with some dancing, people enjoying music, and drinks being poured. So it’s definitely more of a festive type atmosphere.

The Food and Drink Situation on Board

Ok, so let’s chat a little about the food and drinks available on most of the catamarans to Saona Island! Usually, these trips will say that they are “all-inclusive,” what this means is that local drinks are typically part of your tour package, that is true. We are talking rum, beer, and soda, usually. The rum is often used to prepare the famous “Coco Loco,” which I think is kind of delicious! As for the food, you’ll normally find lunch waiting when you reach Saona Island, very very typical. Commonly, they will set up a buffet close to the beach! It normally includes Dominican staples like rice, beans, grilled meat (usually chicken or pork), and some type of salad. Food quality can swing, but the general consensus seems to be, it is okay, so I feel you need to expect pretty average food. Make certain to hydrate with enough water, especially if you’re drinking, to just keep having fun and not feel run down by the sun and excitement.

Saona Island: Beaches and the Natural Pool

Saona Island is absolutely why people decide to make this day trip! The beaches? Quite lovely. I mean, picture pristine white sand, clear, teal, turquoise water, and a ton of palm trees! This is honestly one of the biggest attractions! People absolutely love spending time swimming, sunbathing, and generally relaxing. A stop at what they often call the “natural pool” is frequently part of the itinerary too. I feel you might be interested to know, that this is just a shallow sandbar out in the ocean. Yet, because the water’s so shallow and clear, people can walk around, get drinks served to them right there, and photograph the starfish that are in that region. So just consider being aware that these natural settings really face pressures coming from tourist activity, it would be amazing for everyone to treat the environment carefully.

What Activities Are There?

Ok, besides enjoying the beach and taking pictures, there are a few other things that usually people decide to do while visiting Saona Island. Stuff such as volleyball, maybe some other beach games arranged through the tour operators. Snorkeling can sometimes happen, depending upon conditions. Often the crew will arrange an opportunity to explore the island a little bit. So, even though relaxing on the beach is often a primary goal, people may discover some fun opportunities to mix things up. So, I feel you really will be able to decide to kick back or join in some more activities, however you feel, really!

Things to Consider About the Trip

Ok, here is where I offer some just thoughts to consider before going on a Saona Island excursion. Keep in mind, the trips usually take the whole day, sometimes upwards of 8-10 hours, including travel time. Sunscreen is totally essential. I really feel, pack way more than you would guess is needed, the sun might be more intense there than what you are used to! Think about bringing a towel, swimwear, and also a hat and sunglasses. Oh, and of course a camera, naturally. As I said before, the food is acceptable, you might want to think about bringing snacks, especially if you have food allergies or dietary needs, very important, basically. The tours sometimes will be crowded. To some folks, that is ok! Others really don’t enjoy that feeling. Basically, if it’s a concern, consider asking questions regarding the catamaran’s capacity beforehand or seeing if there are smaller, more personalized tour options, might be great. Just so you know, certain areas on Saona Island, and in the water, sometimes may have rocks or seaweed. Water shoes can really help. Watch out for the vendors when getting off the boat. If you are really not wanting to buy trinkets or doodads, just be confident, respectful and direct in telling them no.

The Return Trip

Normally the journey back is just as fun and festive as the ride to Saona! Commonly, they change to a smaller, faster speedboat so you can reach the mainland in a lot less time. Typically, people go dancing and enjoying drinks on the way back. If you ask me, the ride can actually become a highlight for lots of individuals, it looks that way! After reaching Bayahibe, you’re hopping onto a bus that will bring everyone to their hotel or resort. It often is the ending to a great day out, soaking up what the Dominican Republic is famous for.

What Other People Say About It

Hearing what others think about these sorts of experiences, can sometimes offer a little help whenever you are thinking about it! So, I want to share just some overall comments, found from tour reviews:

• Most travelers thought the natural beauty was amazing
• Others mentioned how much the whole day excursion, ended up meaning
• Some say the crew, definitely improved the experience