Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- 9 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
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 equipmentUse 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
Start time.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.
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 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Saona Island
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Parque Nacional del Este
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Parque Nacional del Este
15 minutes • Admission 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
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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 1,533 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ahmed_A, Sep 2026
It's a great experience really worth it....
Melvin and the crew are very experienced and very informative
Daniel_S, Sep 2026
We are so glad we booked this tour.
Melvin is clearly a passionate man when it comes to the heritage, history and conservation of Sanoa Island and has crafted this experience for those that want a small dose of that along with a small group day excursion to Sanoa Island.
As per all the other reviews you get to the main beach long before the party boats so can soak in the idyllic picture perfect Carribean Island vibes and grab all the pictures you want long before the beach gets overcrowded and overrun with the masses.
Lunch is a traditional beach bbq and you find yourself heading off to seek Turtles in the clear mangroves as the masses start to land on Sanoa. We were lucky enough to see several turtles before boating off for some swimming on another picture perfect spot (a sandbar) between Sanoa and Biyahibe. Think clear crystal turqoise waters where you can stand up 2 miles out!
Can’t say we were bothered with the final spot near the harbour for snorkelling as didn’t see many fish and the water was very choppy here but overall a fantastic day out we would highly recommend to those that don’t just want to get drunk on a boat full of 50+ people with boomy music blasting out.
Melvin takes loads of pictures throughout the day and sends these on to you for no extra costs. Indeed there are no pushy sales at any time on this trip and Melvin is also good enough to help you haggle any items you may want to buy on the beach from sellers so that you don’t get ripped off. Plenty of rum provided throughout the trip but do recommend buying a pina colada in a pineapple on the beach as was lovely.
Hadley_L, Sep 2026
Our tour guide Marvin was the stand alone reason we will be coming back and bringing our families just for his tour. There is not enough room to explain the level of exceptionalism for Marvin and his crew.
Neelma_S, Sep 2026
We absolutely loved this tour and would 100% recommend it. It was one of the highlights of our holiday.
The small group made such a difference – it felt much more personal and almost like having a private tour rather than being part of a large organised excursion. Our guide was excellent: friendly, knowledgeable and made the whole day really enjoyable.
The beaches were absolutely stunning. One of the best parts was arriving early enough to enjoy an incredible beach while it was still peaceful and virtually empty – turquoise water, white sand and no crowds. It really did feel like we had our own private piece of paradise.
There was also a great variety throughout the day, including visiting Mano Juan, learning about the turtle conservation project, snorkelling, seeing starfish and spending time swimming and relaxing on the beautiful beaches.
Everything was well organised without the day feeling rushed. If you’re looking for a Saona Island tour, I would definitely choose this small-group experience over one of the large boat tours. Absolutely amazing day and highly recommended.
Cristian_F, Sep 2026
This is an excursion that is highly recommended to everyone looking for something to do in Punta Cana! Melvin and his crew were amazing and Melvin himself was exceptional. He was an excellent tour guide, he made sure his guests were comfortable and the food served was truly Dominican food. If your looking to enjoy arguably the best beach in DR with peace and tranquil, then you will not be disappointed.
Erick_H, Sep 2026
My husband and I attended the Soana Island small group tour and one word that comes to mind is AMAZING!!!! Melvin and his team literally treated us as his kids. Made sure we were educated and safe. From pickup to drop off they were professional, kind, informative, protective and they made sure we had an amazing time. I can’t say it enough. If you don’t go with Melvin And his team you’ve made a bad choice. The lunch provided was delicious and tasted as if Abuela cooked it. I must say that my absolute favorite part was the sandbar stop to see the starfish. I can’t say enough to make this excursion stand out. Trust me and try it!!!! Melvin GRACIAS!!!! Quedamos super agradecios por el servicio Y la experiencia.
Loren_W, Sep 2026
It was awesome!! I loved that it was a small group and our tour guide Melvin was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend if you want more of an intimate experience versus a large crowd. The boat is a little rough going out but that’s expected. Overall 10 out of 10.
Larry_B, Aug 2026
Great excursion. Guide was fantastic Great beach location.small group is the way to go. Well worth the money. Stopped for breakfast at turtle exploratory and saw how the help hatch the turtles and protect them from their predators. Saw mango trees in the water and large turtles. Stopped at Sandbar and saw two starfish. They only reason I didnt rate it a 5 was the van used needed to upgraded
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Good afternoon Larry
Thanks for wrote your review.
Was very nice to meet you and your wife very nice people.
We are arranging with our transportation supplier for upgrade the van for the next high season. We agree with you it’s need to be upgrade and we will do it, thanks for your advice.
Best regards
Melvin Duran
Esosa_A, Aug 2026
Will recommend to all who vacation in the DR. The street was very knowledgeable about where to go and the timing of the itenerary ran like clockwork
Victoria_N, Aug 2026
Wow, absolutely amazing trip. The crew work so hard. You learn a lot about the turtle rescue and the local history.
This is definitely the trip to do, a small group. You get up early to get to the island before all the big boats.
We had a great time 👍🏼
Highly recommend
Karen_G, Aug 2026
This excursion was the absolute highlight of our trip! We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see Saona Island. The early wake up call was totally worth it to have the beach to ourselves before all of the large groups arrive. We loved all of the details included in this trip and enjoyed Melvin's excitement in sharing the history of the Dominican Republic. Melvin and his crew thought of everything, including many group photos, saving us beach chairs on the beach, a family style lunch on the beach, drinks, going to a baby turtle sanctuary, learning about the mangroves and seeing more starfish that we could have imagined. All of the stops were thoughtful and gave us a wonderful sampling of Saona Island. Great day!
Judit_M, Aug 2026
Thanks to Mr Melvin's insider knowledge and the early start, we had the island just to our small group, very peaceful and beautiful experience. The buffet lunch on the beach was on white table cloth, very nice, unexpected touch. We left right when the large herds of tourists flooded the shore.
The powerboat ride was quite bumpy, so if you are seasick, make some preparations in advance.
Jennifer_M, Aug 2026
There were quite a few rocks when getting off the boat and making our way onto the island, so a heads-up to wear water shoes would have been very helpful.
That being said, all of the stops were absolutely worth seeing and learning about! We especially loved the hands-on experience with the starfish and the snorkeling. The guides were very pleasant, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout the excursion. Overall, it was a fun and memorable experience!
Wendy_M, Aug 2026
Waking up early pays off. You get to enjoy the island before it gets crowded. Everyone is very friendly and nice!
Helena_H, Aug 2026
What an incredible excursion! A huge shout out to Melvin (tour guide) and his staff. We had the most incredible day. Pick up was prompt at 6am and we arrived back safely at our hotel at 4:30pm. It was so worth the early pick up, as we were able to enjoy a few hours on the stunning Saona Island beach before hundreds of tourists arrived around midday. The excursion was only 12 of us on a speed boat, which made the experience a whole lot better. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. We had the opportunity to visit the local turtle sanctuary (even saw some hatch), see the only part where people live on the island, before heading to the main beach for a few hours and lunch, then visiting the mangrove (seeing the sea turtles) and having the opportunity to swim with star fish. I could not recommend this excursion enough!
Kevin_W, Aug 2026
Wonderful trip which i and family (wife and two teenage girls 13&16) would recommend.
Melvin and crew are great and trip is perfectly timed to show you the most possible and avoid the crowds. Melvin is knowledgeable and a nice guy and while keeping our group of twenty continually happy also found the time to help others not in our party.
Highlight of the trip for us were the starfish snorkeling!!
Be warned though it is a long day....and bring water shoes as beach can be rocky
Traci_T, Aug 2026
It was a long day, but what an experience! Travel there and back was long. We stopped and picked up 3 other groups from other properties. Melvin has to be the smartest man on the DR! He was the best! Would repeat just because of him and his team!
Danna_A, Aug 2026
Highly recommend booking the small group tour. Your tours will be more personable. The bigger tours have too many people. This tour is about 14 people per boat. Keep in mind the boats are small so the waves sometimes feel bumpy but it’s not too bad. The beaches and sand bar you go to are beautiful
Leslie_J, Aug 2026
The island was beautiful. Melvin and his crew were awesome! Everything was smooth, not confusing. He explained everything and every step of the trip. The team was great all around. Wish we could have stayed longer were the starfish but it was still a great experience. I would definitely recommend this excursion.
Saidah_H, Aug 2026
This was one of the highlights of my trip to the Dominican Republic. Pickup was on time, communication was excellent, and the entire experience was organized and professional from start to finish.
The small group size created a welcoming, family-like atmosphere that was especially enjoyable as a solo traveller. Melvin and Natalia were attentive throughout the day, taking the time to get to know everyone and making sure each guest had a great experience. The scenery was breathtaking, and visiting a turtle sanctuary on a private island was unforgettable. Melvin also shared a brief but fascinating history of the Dominican Republic that added so much value to the excursion.
I loved being able to hold a starfish, observe turtles in their natural habitat, and interact with other marine life while learning how to protect the local ecosystem. The food and drinks were plentiful, and the team's respect for the culture and the environment was evident throughout the day.
I highly recommend this excursion. If you're visiting the Dominican Republic, book it—you won't regret it. I will definitely tour with this team again.
Jason_K, Jul 2026
Melvin and Pedro where such excellent guides, be prepared for a speed boat ride but was very fun. Getting to the island early was a game changer. Best the crowds and the sun. I would rate this as one of my best excursions in DR.
katherine_p, Jul 2026
Melvin , Diego and the entire crew were amazing , treated us very good and took care of everything from pickup to drop off at our hotel , I would recommend this experience to everyone, very good hospitality
YvetteDenise_M, Jul 2026
Best excursion to Saona! History/Cultural tour of Saona, pristine beach, delicious lunch, snorkeling, starfish, turtles, mangrove -- what more could you want? Melvin is a fantastic guide and historian, very organized and well-run trip with service oriented and fun team members.
Julia_W, Jul 2026
Ok, I cannot say enough about how incredible this experience was! My last trip to saona was on a private yacht so I was hesitant to book a group outing but saw the reviews and decided to take a chance. 10/10! It was my 15 year old daughter and I. Melvin and his crew were fantastic. They showed us a ton of different areas. The turtle sanctuary was incredibly moving for us as animal lovers. They watched our belongings on the main beach so we could swim and explore. Saw sea turtles, snorkeled over the reef, held starfish. The boat ride was a BLAST!!! It’s a speedboat so don’t expect a leisurely cruise. We learned a ton about the mangroves, the marine life, the culture. Perfect size group. This will not disappoint!!
Leza_L, Jul 2026
The boat ride to Mano Juan is about 45 minutes and can be pretty rough. One member of our group did not like that part at all. If you are wanting a party, this is not for you at all. Be prepared for a long day but if you are interested in learning this is the one for you.
I loved it and learning about the history of the island and the importance of the Mangroves and about the work of the Turtle Sanctuary.
The “natural pools” were amazing and Melvin and his team are top notch. Fun and friendly!
STAVROS_K, Jul 2026
small group excursion professional Pedro is very informative crew is very professional and very helpful
Alex_K, Jul 2026
Whenever we go on trips, we try to do excursions that support the right causes, we know there are lots of options to go to Saona Islands, but we're happy we chose this one.
We love that that this tour supports local schools as well as the sea turtle sanctuary. The amount of history that Melvin knew was absolutely impressive. It was nice having a smaller group. We felt like a tight-knit family during the excursion.
Getting up a little bit earlier was totally worth it because the island didn't have tons of tourists yet and we had our own private section where we could have our lunch and enjoy the water peacefully.
The snorkeling was amazing. We love that they take precautions with the starfish to make sure that it doesn't injure them. We were able to see live sea turtles swimming during the excursion as well.
We would highly recommend this trip to anyone coming here. Their company and group was amazing and extremely professional.
Simon_A, Jul 2026
Superb from start to finish… the itinerary was great and the kids had a superb time. Everything runs like clockwork.
The beach you go to is just stunning and the early start means you get there before everyone else, you really notice this when going head to your next stop and there are 20 boats arriving at the beach you left.
The reef snorkelling was incredible, we saw fish we have only seen in a tropical aquarium before.
Add into this the fact it’s clear Melvin really cares about the communities he visits and the impact that things like the turtle sanctuary have and it’s a really well rounded day.
Would do it again in a heartbeat.
Taylor_T, Jul 2026
If you are going to Saona Island - do it like this! Best experience we’ve had in Dominican Republic! Melvin and his team were very professional and knowledgeable. We felt like we learned so much about the culture, and were able to experience a side of Saona Island that many people don’t get to see. Drinks were also a huge vibe, the food was good, and the small group and early start was absolutely worth it! We got the clear waters all to ourselves, and got to see the beautiful sand bars, mangroves, starfish and turtle sanctuary. There’s no other way we’d do this excursion after such a great experience.
FRANCISCO_M, Jul 2026
Excellent, tour guide was very knowledgeable, the staff on the boat very helpful,professional and polite.
Beautiful island, saw turtles in their environment, also sea stars.
From $165.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour
1,533
9 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$165.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Water Tours
- Shore Excursions
- Extreme Sports
- Half-day Tours
- Jet Boat Rentals
- Bus Tours
- Cruises & Sailing
- Outdoor Activities
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- On the Water
- Private and Luxury
- Punta Cana
- Water Tours - La Romana
- Shore Excursions - La Romana
- Extreme Sports - La Romana
- Half-day Tours - La Romana
- Jet Boat Rentals - La Romana
- Bus Tours - La Romana
- Water Tours - Rincón
- Extreme Sports - Rincón
- Bus Tours - Rincón
- Water Tours - Samaná
- Shore Excursions - Samaná
- Extreme Sports - Samaná
- Half-day Tours - Samaná
- Jet Boat Rentals - Samaná
- Bus Tours - Samaná
Attractions in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Cocotal Golf and Country Club Tours & Tickets
- Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana Tours & Tickets
- Coco Bongo Punta Cana Tours & Tickets
- Higuey Tours & Tickets
- Hoyo Azul Lagoon Tours & Tickets
- Juanillo Beach (Playa Juanillo) Tours & Tickets
- Catalina Island (Isla Catalina) Tours & Tickets
- Bavaro Adventure Park Tours & Tickets
- Saona Island (Isla Saona) Tours & Tickets
- Macao Beach (Playa Macao) Tours & Tickets
- Bavaro Beach (Playa Bavaro) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic