Traveling is about “doing things”, going from place to place, checking off activities, collecting moments and coming home more tired than when you left. But is a feeling that is worth having! Sometimes you look to disconnect yourself from reality and Saona Island, Dominican Republic, served up that ideal day when nothing was required of me but just to enjoy being.
Saona Island
The Saona Island tour it’s considered as one of the most popular excursions in Punta Cana.
The day began with a drive from our hotel in Punta Cana to the village of Bayahibe. When we arrived, the beach was lined with speed boats, fishing boats, and Catamarans. In no time, we were whisked aboard a Catamaran to make our way to our next destination. On the way to Saona Island, we enjoyed wonderful views of Caribbean white-sand beaches and turquoise waters while drinking some MAMAJUANA and listening to music.
We had ground to a halt in shallow, crystal waters not even 100 yards from the prettiest line of palm trees I’ve ever seen. And, yet, we were still solidly in the Caribbean Sea. The “pool” they referred to as a natural pool of chest-deep water so clear we could see our toes as well as the starfish populating the sands below.
Saona Island Natural Pool
We swam and snorkeled for a bit in pure bliss. Before I knew it, there was a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see one of our crew balancing a stack of plastic cups, a bottle of soda, and a bottle of rum. Yep, rum and cokes as we floated in the middle of the ocean. Pure. Bliss.
After a while, it was time to jump back on the catamaran bound for Saona Island. We busied ourselves with doing nothing—staring at waves, laughing, chatting, feeling the breeze as we zoomed along. The most taxing activity was popping into the galley for another piece of pineapple or a little more rum.
Saona Island, or Bella Savonesa, as it was named by Christopher Columbus in 1494, is just off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The island is part of a national park, which has helped preserve its beaches, waters, and canopy of giant palm trees. It was so gorgeous, it looked like Photoshop came to life.
It was already lunchtime when we arrived at the island. A spread of salad, lobster, chicken, vegetables, and everything else delicious under the sun was laid out for us. There were more cocktails, more laughter, more deep breaths of sea air before we adjourned to the beach chairs.
For a couple of hours, we jumped with the waves in the ocean and napped under the palm trees. We watched a bit of volleyball and sank our feet deep into the soft sand. Then we did nothing at all and everything we wanted to all at the same time.
Too soon, it was time to leave our island paradise to head back to Punta Cana for another adventure.
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