Saona Island Excursion From Punta Cana
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the idyllic Saona Island on this full-day tour from the mainland via speedboat and catamaran. Zip out to the island on a fast boat, which ensures you have plenty of time to hang out and relax or participate in watersports. Cruise back aboard a sailboat, sipping drinks from the open bar and dancing to island rhythms. Hotel pickup and drop-off makes for an easy round-trip experience.
- Traditional Dominican buffet lunch
- Open bar and bottled water
- Entrance fees to Saona Island included
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Punta Cana
What's Included
- LunchBBQ, Salad, Dominican Typical Lunch,Fruits, Bread,Coffee,Sodas
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We pick up in hotels lobbies, apartaments Airbnb or specified meeting point pick up normally starts at 6:30 am. you will be informed with the exact pick up time the day before of the tour
Operating hours.6:30 am
Itinerary
When booking this Saona Island full-day cruise, choose your pickup location in Punta Cana. Your cruise days starts with simple pickup from the location you picked.
After boarding your vehicle ride over to the area where your boat launches from and board a speedboat or catamaran for your adventure.
Spend time relaxing on the water with time to participate in water sports or swimming. A traditional Dominican buffet lunch, access to an open bar, and music are all provided for you.
After your Saona Island cruise is done, take your boat back to Bayahibe for your transfer back to your Punta Cana location of choice.
After boarding your vehicle ride over to the area where your boat launches from and board a speedboat or catamaran for your adventure.
Spend time relaxing on the water with time to participate in water sports or swimming. A traditional Dominican buffet lunch, access to an open bar, and music are all provided for you.
After your Saona Island cruise is done, take your boat back to Bayahibe for your transfer back to your Punta Cana location of choice.
1
Saona Island
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Bayahibe (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- Pregnant womens are not allowed to participate due to boat movement
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.1
based on 675 reviews
Jennifer_S, Mar 2026
This is a 12 hour excursion. You ride a bus for 2 hours as you stop at other resorts to get people, then stop at some shop for a bathroom break then back on the road. You get on 1 boat then to another boat, stop at sandbar, go to island, you have to climb from the boat up dangerous rocks to get onto the island. Once on the island you can't even relax and enjoy your time bc you are hounded by someone trying to sell you jewelry or give you a massage for the entire 2 hours. You then have to climb back down the dangerous rocks to get on a small boat to take you to the catamaran. This is also dangerous as it ties up other side of the catamaran and you have to cross over while waves are bouncing the boats all over the place. Ride in catamaran for about an hour then back in the bus for another 2 hours. You are expected to tip the bus driver, the guide, each boat, the people who take up your plates at lunch. It's exhausting. So in the 12 hours you get lunch only so make sure to pack snacks
DETRA_O, Jan 2026
This experience was hella fun!! Lots of drinking and dancing 😁👏🏾🍷 The crew really knew how to have a good time. Good way to celebrate a birthday 🎂
Janifa_C, Oct 2025
Absolutely horrible less than 24 hours I was contacted by the tour operator action I could switch my date to Sunday once I was not in agreement they asked me to cancel. This means since it was less than 24 hours I will not get my refund very unprofessional. I had to reach out directly to buy viator to handle the situation.
Marion_P, Aug 2025
The experience was a 1 in a lifetime experience I recommend This to want to have fun day because it will leave exhausted from the fun.
ClarenceMae_M, Aug 2025
We had an awesome experience overall!.. A trip you shouldn’t miss when you go to Punta Cana. Francisco was a great tour guide, he made sure everyone was accounted for and safe. Our driver Mickey was also great!..
NigelJohn_T, Jul 2025
Booked this trip for a day trip to the Island of Saona all communication through E-Mail and What's App was very good the trip was well planned via pick up at the hotel meeting up with the coach.
Arrived at the location got a speed boat out to the island and a catamaran back with rum and coke on tap and some Caribbean Music playing with a few dancers
Only thing to watch out for on the Island is the masseur's who are quite pushy and charge you 80 dollars for a full massage when they start by saying only 50 dollars
Other then that the Island was beautiful and the trip was well planned
Josefina_B, Jul 2025
Great from start to finish. Big group but my family did not mind it. You will be picked up in small van with AC and meet charter bus with up to 70 people. Driver was great and everyone worked together to get us on time despite a traffic fatality. You will get on a speed boat or catamaran on the way to Soana Island. The natural pool was my favorite which you stop at before the beach. We were the first to arrive and you will have an ok buffet. We took the speedboats in the beginning. In order to switch from speed boat to catamaran we transferred out in the water into the catamaran. Pictures are pricey but well worth it! We switched from the catamaran to a smaller boat to shore. From there we boarded charter bus to our transfer van with the same people from the morning pick up! Overall I recommend 100%
Nadeyah_K, Jun 2025
From start to finish this was a great tour. They were on time prodesssional, kind and fun. It was great learn about the history along the way. Alex is a great guide and storyteller. The BBQ was delicious and the island is lovely. Great day trip.
Hema_B, May 2025
It's a long full day tour, be prepared with a water bottle, some snacks (there is lunch but outside of that if you are hungry you carry something), sunscreen, and hat. I suggest you leave your hotel with swimming clothes already on. Alex was our guide and he was absolutely amazing. I traveled with my husband and 7 year old kid. We all enjoyed the natural swimming pool (shallow ocean area) and the next stop the Saona island very much. Coconut and fresh Pina colada were paid items on the beach so carry some cash or credit card if you want to purchase. Lunch was good - options for both vegetarians and non vegetarians. Also carry some change for tips. They also took professional photos (paid, you can choose to not buy) and we got it on our phone.
Robin_G, May 2025
This tour was absolutely unforgettable, and Alex made it extraordinary from start to finish! He welcomed us with a warm smile and shared fascinating insights into Dominican history during the ride. The stop at the local shop to stretch our legs and shop was a nice touch before we arrived in Bayahibe to board our catamaran.
The cruise to Saona Island was full of energy—traditional music, dancing, and an open bar with Dominican rum kept everyone smiling. The sea pool stop was magical—crystal-clear waters, great swimming, and beautiful professional photos to remember it all.
Saona Island was paradise. We had plenty of time to relax on the soft sands, swim in star fish waters and enjoy vibrant local music. The buffet lunch was delicious with plenty of fresh options to satisfy every taste.
Alex was an outstanding guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and fun. The scenic ride back was the perfect ending to a perfect day. If you’re visiting Punta Cana and want to see Saona Island, don’t miss this tour—and be sure to ask for Alex!
Dima_M, May 2025
I chose this tour because I had long dreamed ofvisiting this beautiful island. When I saw the VIP option, I was pleasantly surprised it promised a private table, a special menu, and most importantly freshly caught lobster. That was the key reason I decided to purchase the VIP ticket, expecting something truly special.
But the reality was nothing short of a disappointment.
First of all instead of the promised three hours on the island, we were only given two and during that time, we were expected to eat as well. So there was barely any time left to actually enjoy the island.
Second, and the biggest letdown, was the so-alled "lobster replacement": instead of the promised delicacy, I was served two skewers with 16 tiny shrimp. It felt like a joke. The guide claimed that lobster season was already over and not knowing any better, I reluctantly accepted it.
But imagine my shock and anger when the very next day I returned to Saona on my own, only to see lobsters being freshly prepared for other tourists. I even asked the cook directly and he confirmed that lobster season runs until May 30, not April as I was told.
This was a blatant lie. I feel deceived and taken advantage of. The VIP service turned out to be nothing more than a pretty promise with no substance. My money was wasted, my experience ruined, and I was left with a bitter feeling of being scammed.
It’s a real shame when reality so harshly fails to live up to expectations
Dimmy101318_d, Apr 2025
The trip was smooth sailing for pick up the tour guide had a hard time navigating between English, Spanis and French. Then we went on the catermeran and midway through the trip an American tourist money was stolen out of her purse by a photographer on the boat. The natural pool was cold as ice and some guest were trying to catch up to the boat while swimming because the boat sailed off. Coming back was a nightmare a speed boat was used for a hour long journey back to shore. The boat was slamming up and down like a seesaw which threw my back out. I am experiencing back pain. The boat felt like it was going to flip over. My husband and I felt very unsafe and not one life guard on the boat. I will never do an excursion like this again the water was ice cold and venders begging for sales. I have now developed PTSD from this experience from hell.
Benjamin_G, Jan 2025
It is a beautiful Island. Our guide Alex was great, very informative. We lost 40 minutes waiting to transfer from a van to a bus on the side of a highway. Then when we got to the island, lunch was supposed to be served at 12:30, but that didn't happen until 1:10. The scheduled time to return to the bus was 2PM. Not very much time to enjoy the island waters. There are a lot of women who will constantly bug you about a massage. Very frustrating.
Lori_S, Dec 2024
We loved everything about this excursion. The boats were beautiful! The natural swimming pool was stunning! Lunch was delicious! Christian was amazing explaining everything along the way!! (In 3 different languages) All around fantastic day! 10 ⭐️
Jessica_K, Sep 2024
Our guide, Alex, was great. We stopped at a beautiful sand bar location which was the best part of the trip in my opinion. The first half of the day is on speed boats, not catamaran. The speedboat captain was pushy about tips. Literally standing at each row of chairs waiting for you to give him something so he can move to the next row. Alex told us they aren't allowed to ask for tips in the morning, but the captain on the boat Alex wasn't on was pushy.
The location on Saona Beach was disappointing. This was my 3rd trip to Saona island, and this specific location wasn't great. The beach was beautiful but there was trash in the sand, and the solicitors on this beach were over the top. Made it hard to actually enjoy the beach. The pineapple pina colada ladies were screeching into a crackling microphone about their pineapples for sale every 10 mins or so. That combined with the very loud pushy solicitors really ruined the relaxing beach lounging we were hoping to do. The trip did not last 8 hours as expected. We were picked up at 7 am and dropped off around 6:15 pm...the drop off seemed very disorganized...I'm glad we went but not something I would do again.
Rob_M, Aug 2024
The experience was a very long day with little preparation for the days activities. The main guide did a great job with communication but the others did not. They would not inform any one with what was going on. We would stop for 20 minutes several times on the side of the road going to and from the boat launch site without any explanation leaving everyone in the shuttle cautious.
The island and catamaran was a great experience, we just wished for more snack and drink options.
Juan_H, Jul 2024
Our tour guide Alex, photographer Pepsi, and our driver Juan were first class and made the trip fun. It is a long day so be prepared, but you will have fun if you love the water.
Jaded_B, Jul 2024
The lady of the boat was amazing she danced with us and brought our rum, she made it very good for us all. The only big downside of it was that the speedboat/boat captain kept being creepy towards the woman. Since I am a native Spanish speaker, they kept making sexualized comments about the women on the boat. One of them even sat next to me and tried talking to me and I was very uncomfortable because he would not stop staring at me despite sitting next to me… it wasn’t until I told him in Spanish to leave me alone that he left but kept making comments with the other male boat people in charge as well as making comments about the woman who is their coworker which was very inappropriate…… my 11 year old nephew heard everything too and there was kids in the boat. Have some decorum.
Guillermo_M, Jun 2024
Fantastic excursion!!! Our guide, Benjamin was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, funny and kind. (Our driver, not so much). Our first time on a speed boat...what a trip!!! So fun. Open bar and food on the island were great. Catamaran ride back was smooth sailing. Lots of dancing, drinking and laughs. We will repeat this excursion!!!!
Ernest_A, Jun 2024
It’s was awesome excursion! We all loved it. It’s defentily an all day excursion. The beaches are beautiful. Eduardo did an awesome job in providing information about the culture of DR. Highly recommend it.
Marleigh_C, May 2024
10/10! Great company, reliable communication, great day on the ocean and on the island. Highly recommend!
Iliana_D, Mar 2024
Only thing I didn't like was the coming back transportation. We didn't get back till after 6 pm. But other than that we had a blast
Trinh_T, Mar 2024
My boyfriend and I stayed on Uvero Alto and this excursion was about 8 hours of traveling total. Not only that, but there is a ton of transfers on the route which put altogether is very tiring and may be a waste of your day. Even while you’re on Saona Island, there is not much to see or do and you are basically confined to the excursion company’s designated area on the beach. The Viator listing advises you have 3 hours on the island but in reality, we got there at 12pm and left at 2pm (which is fine for us but can be deceptive) so only there for a total of 2 hours. While you’re on the island, there are many sellers that basically harass you every 5-10 minutes so it is hard to even just relax in peace. Overall, definitely wasn’t for me and I would not recommend considering the time and what the island has to offer unless you’re literally just trying to lounge around (which can be done at your resort, it is not that much of a difference).
Adrienne_O, Mar 2024
Super cool experience for a decent price. Definitely a slow and all day affair but worth it. The Tour guide was awesome. All the boat staff were so fun! And the provided lunch was fabulous.
Logan_F, Feb 2024
Ramon and company did a wonderful job. The natural pool and Saona Island were amazing and the highlight of our trip to the DR.
Rodney_E, Jan 2024
The island and catterameran and staff where awesome. The only bad part was 9 people in a mini van and it took 3 hrs to get back to hotel too many stops.
Irina_K, Dec 2023
It was a great trip to Saona Island. We would highly recommend to others. Our guide Alex shared a lot of information about history of Dominican Republic.
colin_p, Nov 2023
Awesome trip. Only complaint is the catamaran is over full. Spoils the trip a bit. The island was beautiful and the staff were amazing
Juan_M, Nov 2023
Our tour guides were very friendly. Showed up on time to pick us up to the hotel. Excursion experience was amazing. Saona Island was absolutely breath taking. Crystal clear waters.
Christina_G, Nov 2023
The entire excursion was far more than we expected. The water is beyond beautiful, the host are lively & friendly
From $82.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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