Skip to main content

Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour

Recommended by 99% of travelers
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Viator Experience Award
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 9 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Deborah_A ·
Mar 2026
This excursion was a highlight during our girls trip to DR. The business owners and guides were very kind and informative. Each stop was wonderful with a little different flare and I enjoyed experiencing the food, snorkeling, starfish, and sea turtles. Highly highly recommend!
· leon_j ·
May 2026
had a great day, very nice food. would highly suggest booking with this company for a saona island excursion, day was planned out very well and they were very informative. got to see a sea turtle which was a nice addition to the day, and having your own sunbed bit on the beach was great.

Overview

Head to the sparsely inhabited Saona Island on a full-day trip from Punta Cana. Join a small group and visit the town of Mano Juan, home to a turtle conservation area. Then, spend the rest of your day exploring a secret beach as well as Abanico and Palmilla beaches, each with its own charm. Your day trip includes a simple breakfast and a hearty, buffet lunch on the beach.
  • Learn about turtle conservation from a community leader
  • Search for starfish and marine life with a provided snorkel
  • Hassle-free transfers from select locations
  • A small group means more attention from your guide

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Bottled water
  • Soda/Pop
  • Use of Snorkeling equipment
    Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Air-conditioned vehicle

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup points

    Select a pickup point

    Pickup details

    Thanks for reserve our experience Please write to us: your full name your location name where do you need to be pick up We provided pick up and drop off from Punta Cana to Bayahibe Port and back to Punta Cana. The experience is for a small groups of 14 pax. Limited 2 groups. We develop the entire excursion over speed boat in Saona Island. Punta Cana to the Port of Bayahibe by Bus. Bring swimming suits, towels, sun block, bugs repellent, money. We provided breakfast and lunch if you have any food restrictions or you need information about the food we provided feel free to contact us. We served for breakfast sandwiches with cheese and tomatoes and cheese and turkey ham with do natural juiced and a fruit salad. For lunch with provided a buffet with traditional Dominican lunch( rice with vegetables, mash potatoes salad, green salad, fruits salad, bread, pasta in tomatoes sauce marinate with lobster, grilled chicken, grilled pork chops. We do one stop in a convenient store 10 minutes before the port where you can buy anything of your preference. You are free to bring to the trip drinks or food of your preference if you need it. Thanks again for reserve with me your experience to Saona Island. Best Regards Melvin Duran +18293707381

    Operating hours
    .6:00 am

    Itinerary

    For this Saona Island small-group tour either head directly to the meeting point on Bavaro Beach, or if you’ve requested pickup, get picked up from your Punta Cana location. This tour has a maximum of 12 travelers for an intimate full-day experience.

    First your group makes your way to Mano Juan, home to a turtle conservation area. Breakfast is included, too. After a short time in Mano Juan, continue to a secret beach for stunning views and a swim.

    Next, visit Abanico Beach on Saona Island for a delicious lunch buffet and free time to spend on the beach as you please.

    Lastly, visit Palmilla Beach, where you can search for starfish before making your way back to Punta Cana for drop-off.
    1

    Isla Saona

    3 hours Admission Ticket Free

    2

    Parque Nacional del Este

    30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

    3

    Saona Island

    1 hour Admission Ticket Free

    4

    Parque Nacional del Este

    15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

    5

    Parque Nacional del Este

    15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travelers can participate
    • 0-5 not allow
    • Pregnant not allowed
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    Summer_S
    Hands down, the best part of our trip to DR was this excursion!! Melvin & Natalia were wonderful and provided such a beautiful experience! Book this excursion, you won’t regret it!! Saona Island is amazing, and the little touches that were put into this day did not go unnoticed.

    Reviews

    4.9
    based on 1,410 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Great Time!

    Kimberly_H, May 2026
    The trip was well organized and a fun experience. The guide was very informative on the Dominican history of the island and the lunch was very good!

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Thanks for reserved with us It’s was very nice to meet you Saona island small groups excursion is our main services offered from Punta Cana. Best regards Melvin Duran

    Must do experience

    Callum_R, May 2026
    This experience was absolutely amazing. Melvin was an amazing tour guide, very passionate about the excursion which my partner and I loved. Seeing the starfish was a highlight.

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Was nice to meet you Thanks for wrote your review Any other time around feel free to contact us Best regards

    Excellent organizing....

    Abijith_K, May 2026
    Excellent organizing. From pick up to travel, food and then activities, everything was went as planned. The guide was so so nice, explained the history amd things we are going to do in advance. Gave enough time at each locations so that we can enjoy to the max. Overall an excellent experience

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Was nice to meet you and your wife, thanks for reserved our saona island small groups full day excursion, thanks for coming with us Best Regards Melvin Duran

    Saona Island Day Trip

    Ania_H, May 2026
    Wow!!! Words can’t describe how beautiful and breathtaking this tour was! One of my favorite excursions in the DR. The trip was very thoughtfully planned and executed. Our tour guide, Melvin, was the best! He was so knowledgeable and even took several pictures of us! I would definitely book this tour again. We saw and got to hold star fish, snorkel with fish, see sea turtles, and swim in the clear water at Abanico Beach. It was just amazing and everything I was looking for!!!

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Ania Thanks for wrote your review. Was very nice to meet you and thanks for reserved with us the saona island full day small groups experience Any other time around feel free to contact us Best regards Melvin Duran

    A good day trip.

    Sarah_E, May 2026
    The tour was very informative. There was a lot of on and off the boat which could be difficult for some, but the staff was very helpful. All in all a good day. It was a bit disappointing to not see any live turtles at the turtle sanctuary. Also, the guide took photos that were to be shared with us on what’s app but we still haven’t received them.

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Thanks for leave your review We just send your pictures it’s take time because you don’t use WhatsApp like all the others that I sended right on the van in the same day, but, immediately you wrote to us we send your picture for free like all the others participants. To find turtle hatching is dependent of nature things that any humans can control therefore we see it in the mangroves in their habitat. Thanks for reserved our saona island small groups experience Best regards Melvin Duran

    leon

    leon_j, May 2026
    had a great day, very nice food. would highly suggest booking with this company for a saona island excursion, day was planned out very well and they were very informative. got to see a sea turtle which was a nice addition to the day, and having your own sunbed bit on the beach was great.

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Thanks for wrote your review, really thanks. It’s a great feeling to read your impressions about our experience for small groups to saona island full day Was nice to meet you Best Regards

    Saona Island Tour

    Rebecca_W, May 2026
    Bring water and lots of sun cream. The experience is that we had was simply out of this world, we had so much fun on this excursion. The tour guides were Spanish but also spoke very good English, they looked after us throughout the day. Was approachable to ask any questions, they made our trip here to the Dominican fun, safe and informative. Get booking :)

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Rebecca Thanks for reserved with us Thanks for take your time and wrote a review I really appreciated I wish you all the best Best Regards Melvin Duran

    Best tour!

    dairiou_d, May 2026
    Tour guide was amazing! Made everyone comfortable and by the end we were all talking to each other. Pace was great too. Not too many people and we avoided the crowd which was a big plus.

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good afternoon Thanks for reserved our saona island small groups full day excursion was very nice to meet you and enjoy the day with you and your family Best Regards Melvin Duran

    An exception experience...

    Marta_R, Apr 2026
    An exception experience with Melvin and his team. Huge respect to being eco-conscious, educational and entertaining at the same time, there are not that many excursions like this one on the market in the area. Would definitely recommend to solo female travellers too - I felt safe and cared for, met good companions along the way but also definitely had a chance to enjoy by myself, no interactions were forced

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Marta Thanks for wrote your review. I really appreciated. Was nice to meet you. Thanks for your words, really thanks. Best Regards Melvin Duran

    Very nice responsible...

    Elena_S, Apr 2026
    Very nice responsible reliable people,well organized and passionate about their homeland.We were picked up on time,every step of tour was smooth,generous hosts

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Good morning Elena Thanks for reserved our saona island full day small groups excursion, thanks you very much, was nice to meet you. Best Regards

    Saona Island Tour

    hbnrd6q2x7, Apr 2026
    It was a great experience touring the Saona Island with Melvin and his group. It was very informative and the Saona Island experience is definitely one of the highlights of my first trip to DR. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience! Just a heads up, the speedboat ride is not for the faint of heart lol especially on windy days. If you have children or with elderly people and if you’re a person with back problems just book something else like a catamaran. Just for your information. Overall it was a great experience!

    Highly Recommend!

    Michelle_R, Apr 2026
    This tour was the highlight of our trip! The tour guide and staff were very professional. They brought us to the beach nice and early, before the crowds set in. They took lots of group photos and sent to us directly at no extra charge. Highly recommended!

    Must do experience!

    Trevor_H, Apr 2026
    Very informative and an awesome history lesson (IF YOU ASK!!!). The itinerary was amazing and well timed. Would highly recommend this trip over a booze cruise with the family. The beaches were spectacular, the food was amazing, the locals were friendly and of course the turtles and starfish were amazing.

    Perfect, I’ll tailor it...

    Ena_B, Apr 2026
    We had such an incredible experience on our Small Group Saona Island Full Day Tour! From start to finish, everything was smooth, well-organized, and absolutely worth it. Saona Island itself is breathtaking—crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand beaches, and the most relaxing atmosphere. It truly felt like paradise. A huge shoutout to our amazing tour guides, Pedro and Melvin! They made the entire trip so fun and memorable. Both were super friendly, knowledgeable, and brought such great energy to the group. They made sure everyone was comfortable, entertained, and having a great time the whole day. You can tell they genuinely care about giving guests the best experience possible. Because of them, this tour wasn’t just beautiful, it was unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Punta Cana, and if you get Pedro and Melvin as your guides, you’re in for the best time! 🌴☀️✨

    So pleased. Highlight of trip

    sandy_r, Apr 2026
    First was going to do large group but read about this one and changed! SO glad we did. Do it! Beautiful pics of uncrowded beaches and island! More individual attention. Tour guides great. Very well organized and our leader was so passionate about his gorgeous island.

    The best day

    Angela_H, Apr 2026
    It was a wonderful!!!! Educational. Entertaining. A wonderful time with new friends and a great day overall

    Exceptional Tour!

    Lena_S, Apr 2026
    This tour was the highlight of our trip! Such a beautiful Island, wonderful (and knowledgeable) tour guide. So many beautiful memories!! Totally worth it!!!!

    Exceptional Tour!!

    Summer_S, Apr 2026
    Hands down, the best part of our trip to DR was this excursion!! Melvin & Natalia were wonderful and provided such a beautiful experience! Book this excursion, you won’t regret it!! Saona Island is amazing, and the little touches that were put into this day did not go unnoticed.

    Worth the trip!

    Jody_K, Apr 2026
    This excursion is worth the money. The small group is definitely the way to go. You get to experience a little bit of everything without any crowds. Employees were very attentive. Highly recommend! **Side note: Please take dog food with you if you can. There was an absolutely starving dog near the turtle conservation (first island breakfast stop) It broke my heart. They said they feed them the sandwiches but there was no way she was getting any. I do wish they valued their animals more.

    BEST TOUR, you'll have the island for yourself!

    Manuel_F, Apr 2026
    BEST Saona Island tour! We arrived before the crowds and had the island almost to ourselves—truly magical. Small group, amazing food, and super engaging guides who shared fascinating history. Everything was perfectly organized and very professional. Highly, highly recommend!

    Pick this tour! 100% recommend 🏝️

    Charlie_S, Apr 2026
    Wow!!! Incredible trio, great value for money! Malvin was so knowledgeable and passionate about the conservation and history of the inland. All the staff weee friendly and helpful and great with the kids. Saona itself is incredible beautiful, just like the Maldivian islands we have visited. This tour gets to the island before the crowds which is priceless!!!! Unspoilt views!! How the keep the island so beautiful with so many visitors I’ll never know! We saw turtles from the boat and star fish. The snorkelling was fab too!

    One of a kind tour

    Margo_G, Apr 2026
    Wow, wow, wow! If you are looking for a unique experience that 95% of other tours don’t provide, this is for you. It leaves early, but for a great reason! You will visit a small village on Soana Island and see the turtle sanctuary, and spend the rest of the day on island and beach paradise. The tour was amazing for my tow active boys, ages 7 and 10. We saw turtles, got pictures with starfish, and learned so much about how we can help with mangrove and turtle conservation efforts. Incredible all around!

    This is the ONLY Saona Island tour to book

    John_C, Mar 2026
    While understanding that getting up early is a commitment while on vacation, this is worth every lost minute of sleep!! My wife and I debated a lot as to whether take time away from our Cap Cana resort to do this tour and we could not be happier with our decision to do so. The turtle sanctuary IS LEGIT (google it if needed), they make sandwiches for you to enjoy in the morning and the overall experience is just an added benefit to your trip to the DR. I would highly recommend taking time to do this excursion and see something that you wouldn't see otherwise at your hotel. If we come back to the DR with our daughter, we'd do it again!

    Amazing excursion

    Natalie_V, Mar 2026
    Melvin and Natalia were awesome guides, this trip is definitely worth it just book it and you will not regret it! I had to get an uber from our Airbnb to a pick up location and Melvin graciously reimbursed me for it and dropped us off at the Airbnb at the end of the trip. Everything was structured and we felt safe the entire time. Best part was starting early and beating the crowd also VIP spot on one of the most famous beaches.

    100% worth the early start.

    RhiDudzik, Mar 2026
    This tour is fabulous. Its an early start but it is so worth it being able to see the island before it gets busy is magical. The tour guides were knowledgeable and shared really interesting facts and history. This isn't a party boat trip but there is plenty of chance to have fun.

    This small group trip is...

    Brian_L, Mar 2026
    This small group trip is the only way to visit Saona Island. Melvin and Natalia are top notch tour guides running a wonderful tour. A must do excursion!!

    Treated like family on...

    derek_d, Mar 2026
    Treated like family on this very informative VIP tour. Lunch was great and what was even better was the tour guide took photos and shared them with everyone for absolutely nothing.

    Excellent Saona Island tour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Sarah_W, Mar 2026
    An unforgettable day thanks to Melvin and his team. We were picked up at 6am, driven to the port with only 11 other guests. Melvin and Nicola kept us updated along the way and gave us a history of the Dominican Republic. We travelled via speedboat to Saona Island, missing the other travellers who took their time on party boats with loud music and catamarans. We had a lovely breakfast of toasted sandwiches, fruit and drinks provided then spent time at a turtle sanctuary. We travelled around the island to another beach where we had free time and a hot buffet lunch provided. Numerous boats filled with tourists arrived just as we were leaving- perfect timing!! We took a tour of the mangroves and spotted some turtles before moving on again to swim and touch star fish. We ended the day at 3.30pm, snorkeling over a coral reef with the tropical fish. Drinks were constantly offered- including rum and non alcoholic options. We then travelled back to our respective hotels, getting back at 5.30pm ish. The speedboat rides were exhilarating and being in a small group meant we could all talk together. Melvin and his team kept us informed throughout the day and were always happy to answer questions. A truly unforgettable day which we would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn about the environment, enjoy being in a small group and not be part of a ‘party’ atmosphere.

    Best part of our trip

    Susan_W, Mar 2026
    This was hands down our favorite day in the Dominican Republic. We were a group of 2 adults and 2 children (7 and 5). I was impressed by Melvin's professionalism and respect. He clearly communicated our pick up time and the day's itinerary after pickup. He encouraged us to engage and connect with our fellow travelers for the day which inspired us to do so. While on the drive to the dock, he offered to share a 15 min crash course in Dominican history or allow us to rest since it was so early (we took him up on the offer which was knowledgeable and measured). His passion for turtle conservation is admirable. Melvin's van and boat staff were joyful, helpful, and kind. Above all, Melvin has my utmost respect for treating us like customers and not a marketing tool to be exploited: he took pictures of us throughout the day on his phone but made it clear it was for private sharing only; he would not post any of them to social media. He also made it clear that we are not pressured to buy or donate anything if we don't want to. Melvin showed us care and respect the entire day. Speaking of the day, it was fantastic. Saona Island is beautiful and I appreciated getting there ahead of the hoard. The private excursion is more expensive but you get your money's worth by minimizing your transport time and maximizing your sightseeing time. Melvin's itinerary structure was smart and we spent just the right amount of time on each activity: light breakfast, turtle conservatory, unstructured beach time, lunch, mangroves for turtle watching, starfish snorkeling, reef snorkeling. I was slightly concerned about bringing my children on this excursion because they are on the younger side, but I was pleased I did. There were plenty of available bathrooms throughout the day, delicious food and drink, life jackets on the boat, seat belts in the van. My younger child fell asleep on the boat at the starfish activity. While I didn't ask or expect the staff to do this, they kept a special eye on him while I went in the water for ~10min. I was extremely touched when they said they would look over him in case the boat pitched, and when I came back I found they had put a jacket under his head to make him more comfortable. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone and I think Melvin and his crew deserve all the thanks and admiration for the amazing experience they have put together.

    Lovely from start to finish

    Deborah_A, Mar 2026
    This excursion was a highlight during our girls trip to DR. The business owners and guides were very kind and informative. Each stop was wonderful with a little different flare and I enjoyed experiencing the food, snorkeling, starfish, and sea turtles. Highly highly recommend!
    Likely to Sell Out

    From $165.00

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 32 days in advance.

    Compare Similar Experiences

    1 / 3
    Current
    Likely to Sell Out
    Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour


    9 hours
    Free Cancellation
    From
    $165.00
    Small Group: Half-Day Cultural Tour of Punta Cana


    6 hours
    Free Cancellation
    From
    $79.00
    Saona VIP Island One Day in Paradise Small Group


    8 to 10 hours
    Free Cancellation
    From
    $160.00
    Small Group: Half Day Punta Cana Cultural Tour


    5 hours
    Free Cancellation
    From
    $68.00