Puerto Plata & Cayo Arena: Catamaran cruise with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.40 (15 reviews)

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/8

Duration10h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · DE +3

PickupAt your hotel

Floating between mangroves and turquoise—Cayo Arena by catamaran

Step onto a catamaran in Puerto Plata for a day trip to Cayo Arena—snorkel over coral reefs, sip champagne in a natural ocean pool, and enjoy fresh seafood on Punta Rucia Beach. With hotel pickup and a local guide included, you’ll find moments of laughter and calm you might not expect—and memories that stick long after you’re home.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran Cruise to Cayo Arena

Resort to Punta Rucia ride
Boat ride to Cayo Arena beach
Natural pool swim and champagne
Snorkel at Cayo Arena
Swim and relax on island beach
Dominican buffet lunch
Return sail to Punta Rucia
Shopping stop
Return to hotel

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the slap of salty air as we stepped onto the catamaran at Punta Rucia—somehow sharper than the breeze back in Puerto Plata. Our driver, José, had already made us laugh twice on the ride over (he claims he’s never seen a manatee but swears they exist). The boat was bigger than I’d pictured, with staff who seemed to know everyone’s name within minutes. As we drifted through the mangroves, there was this hush—just water slapping wood and the odd bird call. I tried to catch a glimpse of those manatees José talked about, but no luck. Maybe next time.

Halfway out to Cayo Arena, we stopped in what they called a “natural pool”—really just this shallow patch in the middle of nowhere, water so clear you could see your own toes wriggling in the sand. Someone handed me a glass of champagne (I almost dropped it getting back on board; slippery hands), and then we were off again. The island itself is tiny—a sandbank with nothing but sun and sea all around. Our guide Li handed out snorkels and showed us how to feed these wild little fish right from our palms. I’m not much of a swimmer but floating above that reef felt easy somehow. The colors down there are still stuck in my head.

Lunch was at Punta Rucia Beach—lobster for most of us, though Li explained it’s seafood paella during certain months because of fishing rules (makes sense). There was this smoky smell from the grill mixing with coconut oil and salt air, and honestly I could’ve sat there for hours just watching local kids play soccer near the boats. We had cold beer, too, which hit different after all that sun. On the way back, everyone got quiet for a bit—maybe tired or just full—but I caught myself thinking about how weirdly peaceful it felt out there between sky and water.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from Puerto Plata, unlimited drinks (rum, beer, soda), bottled water throughout the journey, use of snorkeling equipment at Cayo Arena reef, champagne served while anchored at a natural ocean pool, plus a buffet lunch with lobster or seafood paella at Punta Rucia Beach before heading back in comfort.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Runners Adventures