Snorkeling in Punta Cana: Dune Buggy & Catamaran Combo

Drive the jungle, then snorkel the reef in one full day

A full-day combo in Punta Cana that pairs dune buggy exploration of the Dominican interior with a three-hour catamaran snorkel cruise on the barrier reef. You drive your own buggy (or ride as a passenger) through tropical forest and farmland, stop at a freshwater cenote and Macao Beach, then board a two-story catamaran for snorkeling, a natural pool swim and unlimited drinks. Hotel pickup and snorkel equipment are included. The buggy driver must be at least 18, passengers from age 3.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Macao Beach20m
2. Bavaro Beach45m

Dune buggy and catamaran cruise adventure

• Arrive at UTVs Ranch and receive safety briefing
• Drive through forests and visit ecological farm for coffee and chocolate tasting
• Explore Taíno Ecological Park and swim in cenote
• Visit Macao Beach and enjoy panoramic sea views
• Return to hotels for lunch and change of clothes
• Arrive at marina and board two-story catamaran
• Sail to snorkel area and observe coral reefs and fish
• Visit natural pool, enjoy floating bar and party on board
• Return to marina and hotels

The experience

Your hotel pickup brings you to the UTV ranch in the morning, where a professional guide gives you a safety briefing before you start your engine. From there, the route takes you through rough roads between lush forests and typical Dominican houses to an ecological farm where you taste freshly made local coffee, chocolate and cinnamon: learning how they're produced. The drive continues past tobacco, palm and banana plantations to the Taíno Ecological Park, where you can swim in a cenote fed by fresh underground springs. The final buggy stop is Macao Beach, with its white sand and limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean coast.

After returning to the ranch, you have roughly 90 minutes to head back to your hotel, have lunch and change into swimwear. The afternoon half starts when you board an exclusive two-story catamaran at the marina. Under the supervision of professional divers, you snorkel the barrier reef's coral clusters and observe colorful fish at a depth of 2 to 4 meters. The boat then anchors at a natural pool with shallow, calm water: ideal for floating and taking photos while you enjoy a floating bar with refreshing drinks.

The catamaran experience includes unlimited drinks and snacks throughout the three-hour cruise, plus a special Dominican drink made with island roots, wine, honey and rum as you return to the marina. Round-trip transfers to your hotel are part of the package, and snorkel equipment (including fins on request) is provided. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel transfers.
• dune buggy adventure with professional guide and safety briefing.
• tastings of locally made coffee, chocolate and cinnamon at an ecological farm.
• cenote swim in the Taíno Ecological Park.
• visit to Macao Beach.
• three-hour catamaran cruise with snorkel equipment (fins on request).
• snorkeling on the barrier reef with professional divers.
• natural pool swim.
• unlimited drinks and snacks on the catamaran.
• special Dominican rum-based drink.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in 5 languages08:30

Guide in 5 languages08:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (11 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Tourist Boulevard East towards the City of Miches, when you see the Macao beach crossing where there is a gas station called Total Energies Macao II, make a left turn until you find a cemetery on the left, then turn…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Tour Package Punta Cana

Is this one for you?Choose the shared buggy if you'd rather focus on the scenery and activities, or the private buggy if you want to drive the terrain yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

713 verified traveler reviews

5 ★606

4 ★54

3 ★33

2 ★11

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I choose to ride as a passenger in the dune buggy instead of driving it myself?

Yes. The combo offers a shared buggy option where you can ride as a passenger, and a private buggy option where you drive. Passengers must be at least 3 years old. Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid license. Water shoes and swimsuits are recommended for both the buggy and snorkel portions.

What exactly is the Taíno Ecological Park and what do you do there?

The Taíno Ecological Park is a natural landscape in the Dominican interior where you stop during the buggy portion of the day. There you can swim in a cenote (a freshwater underground cave spring with clear, cool water), and take photographs of the surrounding scenery.

How deep is the snorkeling on the catamaran, and will I see fish and coral?

The snorkel depth ranges from 2 to 4 meters on the barrier reef. You'll observe colorful fish and coral clusters under the supervision of professional divers, who are on board throughout the snorkel portion. The catamaran also stops at a natural pool with much shallower water for swimming and photos.

Is there time to eat lunch between the buggy adventure and the catamaran cruise?

Yes. After the buggy portion ends at the ranch, you return to your hotel with approximately 90 minutes before the catamaran departure. This gives you time to have lunch, change into swimwear and prepare for the afternoon boat cruise.

What drinks and food are included on the catamaran?

The three-hour catamaran cruise includes unlimited drinks and fresh snacks throughout. You'll also receive a special Dominican drink made with indigenous roots, Dominican wine, honey and rum as you return to the marina. Water shoes and sunscreen are recommended but not included.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear, or is it provided?

Snorkel equipment is included in the package. Flippers are available on request. You should bring or wear water shoes for both the buggy ride and the water activities, and sunglasses and a bandana are highly recommended to protect your face during the dune buggy portion.