Small Group Snorkeling, Sharks & Stingrays Encounter by boat
Badge of Excellence
Dominican Republic
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Get a window into the Caribbean's underwater world without getting your feet wet during this 3-hour glass-bottom boat tour. Listen to music and sip drinks from the open bar as you journey, stopping to visit a natural pool. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Punta Cana are included.
- 3-hour glass-bottom boat tour
- Use of snorkel gear
- Interact with sharks and manta rays at a marine park
- Visit the Natural Pool
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's Included
- Roundtrip transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
- All safety and snorkel equipment
- Snacks and tropical fruits
- Open bar: unlimited national drinks and refreshments
- Professional Photographer
- Towels
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, facial protective masks and other personal accessories
- Professional pictures (available for purchase)
- Gratuities for the crew and drivers
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Start time.2:30 pm
Itinerary
Begin your 3-hour journey on the Caribbean with pickup at your Punta Cana hotel. Transfer to the marina on Cortesito beach, where you'll step aboard your glass-bottom boat.
At a popular snorkeling spot, watch as the divers feed fish right under your nose. Choose to don the provided snorkeling gear and jump in with the action, or stay on board and watch through the glass-bottom boat window. At a nearby marine park, you can interact with giant manta rays and sharks.
Back on the boat, head for the Natural Pool, where you can purchase drinks from the swim-up bar. Return to shore and transfer back to your hotel for drop-off.
At a popular snorkeling spot, watch as the divers feed fish right under your nose. Choose to don the provided snorkeling gear and jump in with the action, or stay on board and watch through the glass-bottom boat window. At a nearby marine park, you can interact with giant manta rays and sharks.
Back on the boat, head for the Natural Pool, where you can purchase drinks from the swim-up bar. Return to shore and transfer back to your hotel for drop-off.
1
Tour Package Punta Cana
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Ocean Adventures Punta Cana
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Cabeza de Toro Beach
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Cabeza de Toro Beach
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Depth: 2 to 4 meters
- Minimum height for the Stingrays Encounter: 2.6 feet
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum age to attend is 2 years old
- Must be accompanied by an adult until 17 years of age
- Minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old
- Customers who appear intoxicated may be refused service
- Subject to change with prior notice due to weather conditions
- Small group will be up 30 people
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 143 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Becky_S, Aug 2025
Lovely experience with fantastic tour guide, swum
With manta rays and sharks . Also a Quick Look at the dolphins which was an extra
Jeff_M, Apr 2025
The trip was really good, but I had to ding it a star because while partying and enjoying the islands absolutely should be had, both the driver to the excursion as well as whoever was DJ-ing on the boat was playing extremely vulgar music that even made me blush. There were a couple of middle school girls on the boat and I don’t think they need to be hearing song talking about “Imma f—k you” and non stop sings with the N-word seemingly every third word. Know your audience.
But the excursion was as advertised. Great snorkeling, the sharks exceeded expectations, even got a free dolphin encounter unexpectedly. And the private beach was straight out of a movie.
The guides were very friendly and helpful. They weren’t pushy at all wanting you to buy photo packages.
So- eliminate the poor choices in music and you have 5 stars.
Elizabeth_L, Mar 2024
We did enjoy being out for an excursion but my kids were really bothered by the crew (and some passengers) vaping. We understand that pot is legal and appreciated that the captain called a few people out (including one of the crew) and told them they couldn't do it on the boat. The crew should be focused on safety for the passengers! It was interesting to see the sharks and sting ray but the conditions they are held in are small and a little sad. The snorkeling was only mediocre. Also didn't like it that one of the crew went around to each passenger to get them to give him a 5 star review on TripAdvisor. Felt like coercion.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Customer,
We are glad that you have expressed yourself in this way. We are truly surprised by this inappropriate attitude on board this ship, we are investigating this event well, because cigarettes are not even allowed here, we regret that this has happened, our goal is to make sure that all the people on board have a moment of pure happiness, In fact the cameras are already active. As for reviews, it is normal that decent and subtle we ask people if they want to give a review (NOT 5 STARS), that they do so based on their personal opinion, we already know exactly that when they return home in most Sometimes they don't have time. Thank you very much for your comment
AndrewJ_B, Jan 2021
There were no masks or social distancing. They canceled the glass bottom boat - we were supposed to get an email the day before with a pickup time. We did not. We contacted them, WhatsApp telephone number +1-829-520-1415, since they never did as stated - and told us this was the same/similar type of tour. There were people, including staff, getting drunk and stoned on the boat, and no masks, and smoking on the bus back to the hotel; the driver never said anything to them. Please do not waste your time. You will be sorry and, like us, hoping we do not get ill and half a day of vacation gone. The tour operator gave us a full refund and asked us to please not post anything. This will be listed on all social media platforms to make everyone aware.
Response from Host, Feb 2021
We have changed this activity to this client because many times we do not complete a quorum and he has accepted and then after having changed to another activity, he has not felt comfortable because of the behavior of other people, we have done the impossible to make him it feels very good and the only thing it has achieved is to do a lot of damage, both to the people where it was, and to the company itself. We have worked for years and we make the greatest possible effort to please and on many occasions remove people, many times incurring extra expenses, as is the case of this Mr. who we paid for this entire activity out of our pocket and we returned all his money and finally never stop hurting us.
Shereka_C, Jan 2021
we was told the excursion was cancelled but i kept getting all the information like it was still booked even this review. my card was charge & the tour guide did not respond to any of my messages . they are very unprofessional
Response from Host, Jan 2021
EXCURSION NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO COVID 19
Dear customer. We have contacted her on several occasions and we have explained to you that you have chosen an activity in the afternoon and there is no activity at that time in the afternoon, which is why the Dominican state has placed restrictions. We consider ourselves a very serious company and we only want the absolute satisfaction of the client.We believe that you have had a misunderstanding and we regret that you have felt harmed by this situation. Many Thanks
Elena_K, Feb 2020
The snorkeling was like 20 minutes than they took us to the place where was 1 poor stingray
Did not let us take a picture with the camera but want us to buy 30$ a picture from their camera
What a ripoff
Than there was 1 poor shark to touch
We spent there 30 min the most
Then they took us to some place where all the other boats were and stayed there for at least an hour- just swimming in the murky water and giving us drinks - I prefer spend more time with the sea creatures than drunk people around me :((((
All experience sucked ! B
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Too bad he could only see one species of each. It could have happened that these species of sharks and rays hide during the day and the boys have not moved it. As for the natural pool that is the third and last stop there are always other boats, we respect that you did not like it. We ask for an excuse for what happened in your activity. Thank you very much for this important comment that helps us to be better and better.
generdicist, Feb 2020
My fiancé and I had a blast! Fun excursion, attentive and amiable guides. The boat was very nice (we saw some others that were scary looking). Good snacks. Really loved interacting with stingrays and a nurse shark. The photos they took for USB’s were also great!
Kevin_M, Jan 2020
A great time had by all, a great crew that was so much fun. They treated everyone great! Well worth the money.
Jason_L, Oct 2019
It was a fun trip! We really enjoyed it. The staff members were very professional and helpful. Swimming with the shark and stingray was our favorite
Doyle_S, Aug 2019
This was a great time for the whole family. The stingrays and sharks are huge! Snorkeling was the best. Our guides were super friendly and very funny too! Loved it!
Danielle R, Jul 2019
Everything from communication to tour guides to activities was excellent. The activities were perfect for all ages. This wasn’t a super loud “party” boat vibe, which was not what we wanted considering we were traveling with our children (teenagers and a 6 year old). The snorkeling was definitely our favorite part. The guides made sure there were plenty of fish to see by feeding them causing them gather around us. Everyone was super friendly and accommodating. I definitely recommend.
Lowell_S, Mar 2019
We were supposed to be on a glass bottom boat but for some reason this was not an option when we go there. We did have fun and the staff on the boat we were on was excellent. We did get to snorkel and pet a stingray.
Janelle J, Oct 2018
We had an amazing time with Alex our tour guide. He was very friendly and took a lot of awesome photos! He showed us many different types of fish and found a starfish to show us. We had a private tour as no one else had booked on the day and he made it a great experience! The shark, stingrays and natural pool we're all lovely too. Overall, it was a great day and the best excursion we went on during our stay in Punta Cana.
Michael M, Oct 2018
Such an incredible tour. From the Hotel Pick Up to the Drop Off and everything in between. The encounter included snorkelling with reef fish, a shark and stingray encounter with Alex the beautiful stingray and we also met a very friendly Nurse Shark Nurse Shark do not have teeth who we could swim alongside and touch. The hosts made us all feel very comfortable and the natural swimming pool was a paradise on a quiet and tranquil side of the island. 5 stars and 100 recommended. Please book this trip online and avoid additional fees through your hotel or rep.
I look forward to. Poking more tours with Thom's Punta Cana!
Alysha M, Jun 2018
I would love to hear more about sharks and stingrays, but loved the photos and experience overall
Louise_G, Feb 2018
Had an amazing, fun afternoon with Carlos and his crew. We were upgraded to the bigger boat at no extra cost. Plenty of time for snorkelling and meeting the rays and sharks! Amazing rum punch! Louise and Stephen x
Denise B, Jan 2018
This trip was amazing!!!! Carlos was a great host and all the crew were excellent. I would absolutely do this tour again when I am in Punta Cana!!!!
Gabriella A, Aug 2017
We took the bigger boat that was more enjoyable( glass botton is very small). Carlos the captain was very welcoming and fun!Crew is helpful and nice!Shark encounter little short but plenty of snorkeling. Drinks and little fruit, chips served. Fun experience.
Nicole R, Jul 2017
Great excursion. Everyone was very knowledgeable and spoke great English. Plenty of time to snorkel with the sting rays and sharks. At the natural pool, great amount of time to swim and drinks were flowing. The workers were friendly and made sure everyone had a great time.
mark.gerardi, Jul 2017
Tour was great! Highly Recommended! Took some great pictures. Our guide, Alex, was very accommodating!
luke.tate, Jun 2017
This tour was the best we did while in the Dominican. From the pick up to the hotel we were looked after for the whole trip. The staff on the boat were extremely helpful and friendly and kept the drinks coming. They took lots of good photos with our camera and couldn't have done more to look afterus
Heather D, Jun 2017
I was honestly disappointed in this excursion. Our guide was extremely unprofessional. It might have been better, but aside from 2 people we had awful people on our boat. We arranged for a morning excursion and the company wanted to change it to the afternoon which we were fine with, they showed up 45 mins late, however, I don't think it was entirely their fault, there was an issue at one of the hotels. The glass bottom boat was a joke, it was a rowboat with 2 panes of small glass in the bottom. We only snorkeled for about 15 minutes, then we went to the sharks/stingrays, which we were only there about 15 minutes as well. We stayed at the natural pool the longest because that's where everyone was drinking. We got back, sat in a van for about 20 minutes waiting to leave and then the van got a flat tire. All in all very disappointing. And to top it off we left our own snorkel equipment on the boat which was 100 our fault. Not family friendly at all as my daughter and I didn't appreciate the stripper dancing.
yanelis_G, May 2017
The tour was great they offer me a upgrade without paying for the only thing that I don't like is that the water was no clear
Matthew F, May 2017
Signed up for the tour and was ready in the lobby to be picked up with three small kids at 8 am and by 9 am no one picked us up. Called the office and they rebooked us and updated package to include pictures. Tour was great, family had a great time. At the end no free pictures 50% off of $200.
Devona S, Aug 2016
We had a great time! It was so much fun snorkeling, swimming with baby shark, and hanging out at the private part of the beach. I highly recommend booking this excursion!
Timothy S, Jun 2016
the crew was very friendly... the Rays were awesome......the sandbar got busy fast.. one starfish was scene.. not the kind I expected... heavy and hard... thanks for the awesome pics!!!
Benoît L, Nov 2019
Pas d’authenticité du tout !!! En gros, on vous plonge dans un bassin avec des raies que le guide attrape pour vous les donner et surtout prendre la photo !!! C'est désolant mais c'est comme ça !!!
Le tourisme de masse prime largement sur le reste et ça se sent !
Heureusement l’équipe est agréable !
Sebastian_K, Jun 2019
Vorweg möchte ich sagen, dass sämtliche Beschreibungen des Angebotes eingehalten wurden und wir somit die Leistungen bekommen haben, für die wir bezahlt haben. Deshalb gibt es von uns auch 4 Sterne ( keine 5, da dann doch ein paar Kleinigkeiten sich besser angehört haben als sie tatsächlich waren!)
Die Abholung aus unserem Hotel am Ende der Punta Cana hat super geklappt und war pünktlich.
Wir waren lediglich 7 Teilnehmer + Guide ( konnte gutes Deutsch) und Fotograf sowie Fahrer des doch sehr kleinen Bootes mit ca. 1 x 0,70 cm Glasboden.
Der erste Stop war an einer beliebten Schnorchelstelle ca. 5 Fahrminuten entfernt, wo man gut Schnorcheln konnte und einige kleinere Fische gesehen hat. Danach ging es kurz zum Strand zurück, einmal eine kleine Ladung Essen abgeholt und dann zu "Becken", wo die Rochen und Haie waren.
Der Zustand der Anlage, wo die Haie & Rochen drin waren, sah schon etwas mitgenommen aus. Ansonsten konnten wir sowohl mit den Rochen, als auch Haien schwimmen, wobei gerade die Haie auffällig ruhig ein dem kleinen Becken an den Seiten waren und sich kaum bewegt haben. Die Größe des Becken war vielleicht 15 x 7 Meter.
Nach dem Schnorcheln mit den Tieren war noch relaxen an einer Erhebung im stehtiefen Wasser möglich, bevor es zurückging.
Hätten wir gewusst ( vielleicht etwas naiv von uns, dass wir davon ausgingen, die Tiere vielleicht in der freien Wildbahn zu sehen, in der Beschreibung stand nichts so Marinarium oder ähnliches) das die Tiere "gefangen" gezeigt werden, hätten wir nicht gebucht.
Wie also schon in der Überschrift angedeutet, sämtliche Leistungen wurden erbracht, allerdings hat mit kleinen Beigeschmack( sehr kleines Boot, Haie & Rochen gefangen)
Was gar nicht geht war, dass man uns nahezu aufgefordert hat, eine sehr gute Bewertung zu geben vor Ort, da man ansonsten nicht überleben könne und es ärger gibt.
Hätte man nur um eine ehrliche Bewertung gebeten, wäre alles gut, so aber gibt es deshalb statt 4 nur 3 Sterne!
Sorry Guys, lasst die Leute doch ehrlich Ihre Meinung äußern, wenn ihr zufriedene Kunden habt, äußern die es auch! Ohne Zwang!
Dupuis C, Aug 2018
Très bon souvenir avec une équipe fort sympathique et disponible
Activité que nous recommandons fortement
Natasja A, Feb 2018
Nicht nur die Tour war super! Carlos und sein Team sind richtig nett und bringen die richtige Stimmung mit! Verpflegung (kleine Snacks, Getränke ohne Limit) haben alles abgerundet. Diese Tour ist einfach nur empfehlenswert! Macht weiter so! Grüße aus Deutschland ;-)
From $99.90
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Small Group Snorkeling, Sharks & Stingrays Encounter by boat
143
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$99.90
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Dominican Republic
- Cayo Arena Tours & Tickets
- Bayahibe Tours & Tickets
- Río Caño Frío Tours & Tickets
- Monument of Santiago (Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración) Tours & Tickets
- Ozama Fort (Fortaleza Ozama) Tours & Tickets
- Rincon Beach (Playa Rincon) Tours & Tickets
- Cocotal Golf and Country Club Tours & Tickets
- Los Haitises National Park Tours & Tickets
- National Palace Tours & Tickets
- Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island) Tours & Tickets
- El Limón Waterfall (Cascada El Limón) Tours & Tickets
- Altos de Chavón Tours & Tickets
- Punta Ruсia Tours & Tickets
- Mt. Isabel de Torres Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Dominican Republic