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Tour to Saona Island from Punta Cana Saona Island Excursion Saona Island tour from Punta Cana

Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar

4.6/5 · 809 Google reviews of Punta Cana Adventures

Enjoy a full-day tour to the beautiful Saona Island (Isla Saona)! Relax on the pristine beaches, swim in the island's natural pool, and indulge in authentic Dominican cuisine.

  • Free cancellation

    Cancel at least 24 hours before pickup for a full refund.

  • Reserve now, pay later

    Reserve ahead and pay nothing today.

    How it works

    Your saved card is charged automatically 3 days before your tour. For tours within 3 days, payment is due at checkout.

  • DurationApproximately 10 hoursIncludes transfers
  • ScheduleEveryday
  • Hotel pickupIncluded

Staying at an Airbnb or vacation rental? We arrange a nearby meeting point based on your location.

From our travelers

Feedback about Punta Cana Adventures

We booked a day trip to Saona Beach for our family, and it was a very enjoyable experience.

Mahesh B. · March 10, 2026
Read traveler reviews

Why you’ll love it

  • Isla Saona, the largest offshore island in the Dominican Republic, inside Cotubanamá National Park.
  • Stop at the Natural Pool, a waist-deep sandbar in the open ocean famous for starfish.
  • Speedboat-and-catamaran combo across the Caribbean Sea.
  • Open bar from the moment you board: beer, rum, and soft drinks (18+).
  • Traditional Dominican BBQ buffet lunch on the island.
  • Hotel pickup around 7:30 a.m., back around 6 p.m. Pickup and drop-off included.
  • Kids' pricing: $45 (adults $85). Free cancellation up to 24h. Reserve now, pay later.
More about this experience

A full day on Isla Saona, the largest offshore island in the Dominican Republic, protected inside Cotubanamá National Park. Roughly 110 square kilometers of island: white sand, coconut palms, turquoise shallows, and one tiny village, Mano Juan. No resorts, no roads, none of the hotel-zone crowds. Just the Caribbean the way the postcards promised. Christopher Columbus anchored here in 1494, and travelers have been falling for Saona ever since.

Your day starts easy. We pick you up at your hotel lobby around 7:30 a.m. and roll through the Dominican countryside to the fishing village of Bayahibe, about an hour and twenty minutes away, where the boats are waiting. From there you'll ride the speedboat-and-catamaran combo across the Caribbean Sea, with a stop at the famous Natural Pool: a waist-deep sandbar in the open ocean where starfish rest on the sandy bottom and every camera comes out.

Then, Isla Saona itself. Claim your spot on the beach, float in water so clear it doesn't look real, and load up a plate at the traditional Dominican BBQ buffet. There's merengue if you're dancing, palm shade if you're not, and hours of free time either way. We keep our groups on a quieter stretch of beach: fewer people in your photos, more Caribbean in your day.

The bar? Open from the moment you board: beer, rum, and soft drinks all day (drinking age is 18). The catamaran leg home is the party, with music, drinks, and the coastline sliding by until you're back in Bayahibe, then at your hotel around 6 p.m. It's roughly ten hours door to door.

Adults are $85 and kids ride for $45, and you're booking direct with a local Punta Cana team: reserve now, pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Isla Saona is the most requested excursion in Punta Cana. Pick your date. The moment you wade into the Natural Pool, you'll know why.

What you’ll do

  1. Pickup at your resort

    Guests are picked up from their hotel lobby or nearby designated point for convenient round-trip transport to Bayahibe.

  2. Transfer to Bayahibe

    Enjoy a scenic drive of about an hour and twenty minutes from Punta Cana to the departure point at Bayahibe.

  3. Departure to Saona Island

    Board a catamaran or speedboat and cruise through the Caribbean Sea, stopping at the Natural Pool to admire the crystal-clear waters and starfish.

  4. Arrival at Saona Island

    Explore the pristine white-sand beaches, swim in turquoise waters, or relax under swaying palm trees.

  5. Lunch and refreshments

    Enjoy a traditional Dominican BBQ buffet with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.

  6. Free time and activities

    Stroll along the beach, swim, lounge, and experience the island’s natural beauty at your own pace.

  7. Return transfer

    Depart Saona Island in the afternoon and return by speedboat or catamaran to Bayahibe, then board buses back to your hotel.

This program is subject to change.

What’s included

  • Bilingual guides: Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable experience on the tour. They will provide information about the island and its history, as well as answer any questions you may have.
  • Roundtrip transportation: Convenient round-trip transportation from your Punta Cana resort is included in the tour price. This means that you won't have to worry about getting to and from the island – we'll take care of all the details.
  • Catamaran and speedboat trip: On this excursion, you'll have the opportunity to travel to and from Saona Island on a catamaran or speedboat. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and the natural pool as you journey to the island.
  • Open bar on board and on the island: beer, rum, and soft drinks are included, with beer flowing from the moment you board (drinking age: 18).
  • BBQ Lunch: A delicious BBQ lunch served buffet style is included in the tour price. Indulge in a variety of tasty dishes and fuel up for your day on the island.

What our customers say

Selected traveler feedback about Punta Cana Adventures. See all travelers’ reviews

Mahesh B. March 10, 2026
We booked a day trip to Saona Beach for our family, and it was a very enjoyable experience.Read full reviewClose review

We booked a day trip to Saona Beach for our family, and it was a very enjoyable experience. The team arrived right on time to pick us up from the hotel lobby, and the entire process was smooth and well organized. The island was beautiful, and we especially loved swimming in the clear, shallow water, it was truly fantastic and perfect for families. Lunch was average, but everything else made the trip worthwhile.

Morgan C. December 10, 2025
We did the Saona Island Day Trip and loved it!!Read full reviewClose review

We did the Saona Island Day Trip and loved it!! The staff did a great job of making sure we got to the sand bar and Saona Island before so many other groups by taking a speed boat there so it was awesome for taking pictures before it got crowded. They bring a photographer on board with you and then you have the option to buy the photos he takes at the end of the day. The sand bar and island were both beautiful and a great way to see more of the Caribbean side of the DR. It's definitely a long day as we got picked up from our resort at 7:20am and did not get back until almost 7pm but so worth it to get off the resort and see crystal clear water! The staff was also great (especially our guide Raymond) and you get Rum on the catamaran on the way back and a dance party!

Krizia C. January 2, 2025
Did two tours with Punta Cana Adventures, Saona Island and Scape Park. It was worth the pay and cost less than what was offered from the hotel.Read full reviewClose review

Did two tours with Punta Cana Adventures, Saona Island and Scape Park. It was worth the pay and cost less than what was offered from the hotel. Messaged them and called through the provided contact on separate occasions to ask questions and they replied and answered immediately. The Scape Park, they dropped us off until closing so we had enough time to do most activities. Pick up was smooth and on time. Saona Island, the beachfront property we had wasn't crowded at all, we were informed that this tour agency limit the amount of crowd they bring to the island compared to other tour agencies. We were surprised with the amount of people the other areas of the beach had. Each tour agencies have designated properties or side of the beach for the tourists. Therefore, we were able to take great pictures with less people on the background and enjoyed the swim on the beach. Overall, we had a great experience with the agency.

Alexa P. November 14, 2024
I want to thank Punta Cana Adventure for being a safe and fun Company. First timer in the DR and I had a blast!Read full reviewClose review

I want to thank Punta Cana Adventure for being a safe and fun Company. First timer in the DR and I had a blast! I had a confusion when booking pick up location for the adventures I booked , and they resolved it in a timely manner. I loved how responsible and quick they were to respond. It made this trip so smooth. If you get a chance to go to the DR , book with them . Definitely your moneys worth. *we did Saona Island ( a must !) it’s an all DAY thing , so prep ( eat breakfast at your location, they provide lunch , yummy by the way.) 2. We did the boogie ride , half a day I’d say . No food , only get to taste mamajuana , coffee, cocoa tea and hot cocoa. Be ready to get dusty 😅

Adrian P. July 15, 2024
We took the Saona trip and it was just perfect. From the hotel pick-up to the guide and the island.Read full reviewClose review

We took the Saona trip and it was just perfect. From the hotel pick-up to the guide and the island. We had a wonderful guide that spoke in 3 languages and gave us a lot of information about the island and the trip, and also some good tips.

What to bring

  • Booking confirmation (digital or printed) for check-in
  • Sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent
  • Beachwear and towel
  • Comfortable sandals or sneakers
  • Sunglasses and a camera

Important details

  • Not wheelchair accessible.
  • Not suitable for pregnant travelers.
  • Not recommended for participants with serious back problems.
  • Minimum drinking age: 18 years.
  • Departure point: Bayahibe (about 1 hour 20 minutes from Punta Cana). Private transport available.

Frequently asked questions

What's included on the Saona Island excursion?

Round-trip hotel transfer, the boat ride to Saona Island by catamaran or speedboat, a stop at the famous Natural Pool sandbar, free time on a white-sand beach, and a traditional Dominican buffet-style lunch.

What is the Natural Pool at Saona Island?

The Natural Pool is a shallow, crystal-clear sandbar in the open sea where you can stand in waist-deep turquoise water and spot starfish - the signature stop of the Saona Island day trip.

How long is the Saona Island day trip?

It's a full-day excursion, roughly 10 hours door-to-door. Most hotel pickups happen around 7:30 a.m., and you're back at your hotel around 6 p.m.

Do you offer transportation for from hotel/rental?

We offer transportation for most hotels, resorts, and retails in Punta Cana. You can select yours at the time of booking and if it's not listed we can still arrange it. Just type it into the booking notes section at checkout.

How much does it cost to go to Saona Island?

Around $90 per person with most reputable operators. Our Saona Island excursion is $85 for adults and $45 for kids, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.

How long does it take to get from Punta Cana to Saona Island?

The drive from Punta Cana to the departure point at Bayahibe takes about an hour and twenty minutes, followed by the boat ride out to the island.

Why is Saona Island so popular?

Saona Island is popular for several reasons. First, the island is known for its natural beauty, with crystal clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches lined with palm trees. Second, there are many activities available on the island, such as swimming, snorkeling, and lounging on the beach. Third, many Saona Island tours include round-trip transportation from Punta Cana, making it easy for visitors to access the island. Finally, Saona Island is a local favorite, with many locals and visitors alike choosing to experience the island's beauty and charm. These factors all contribute to Saona Island's popularity. For the full picture before you book, read our Saona Island travel guide.

What's your refund policy?

Cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.

Am I able to reschedule?

Yes. We can reschedule your activity as long as you notify us in time. If we cannot reschedule due to matters outside of our control and were notified 24-48 hours in advance, a full refund will be issued.

How big is Saona Island?

About 110 square kilometers. Saona is the largest offshore island in the Dominican Republic, part of the protected Cotubanamá National Park (formerly Parque Nacional del Este).

Is Isla Saona the same as Saona Island?

Yes. Isla Saona is simply the Spanish name for Saona Island. Locals, guides, and most signage use "Isla Saona"; either name refers to the same island off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic.

What drinks are included on the Saona Island tour?

Open bar: beer, rum, and soft drinks are included, and the beer starts flowing as soon as you board the boat. Drinking age is 18.

Planning a group outing?

Special rates for groups of 10 or more. Our team can help plan your day.

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