Saona Island: Catamaran & Natural Pool with Lunch & Bar

The boat's already moving when you board — catamaran heading straight for Saona's sandbar

You board a catamaran or speedboat with hotel pickup already arranged, swim in a natural sandbar pool, spend the afternoon on Saona Island's white-sand beach, and eat a buffet lunch with an open bar included. Your guide stays with you all day, and the boat returns you to your hotel in the evening — no transport logistics to figure out.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Ride to Saona Island by catamaran
• Stop and swim in natural pool
• Enjoy white sandy beach and palm trees
• Tour guide accompanies all day
• Relax and enjoy paradise

The Experience

The catamaran or speedboat leaves early enough that you're on the water before the crowds pile in. Your guide meets you at the hotel and handles the pickup, so you're not figuring out where to go or how to get to the dock — you just show up and the day starts moving. The ride itself takes a couple of hours, but it's the kind of ride where you're already in it: salt air, the Caribbean spreading out, other travelers settling in around you with their sunscreen and cameras.

The first real stop is the natural pool, a sandbar in waist-deep water where the sand shifts under your feet and the water is so clear you can see straight down. You swim there, float around, take the photos everyone takes. After that comes Saona Island itself — the actual beach, white sand, palm trees doing what palm trees do. There's time to walk, sit, soak it in without feeling rushed. The guide stays with the group the whole day, so if you want to know what you're looking at or need something, they're there.

Lunch is a buffet with grilled meat and a vegetarian option, served on the island or back on the boat depending on the day. The open bar runs all afternoon — local rum, beer, soft drinks, water — so you're not watching your wallet or getting thirsty. By the time the catamaran heads back, you've had a full day on the water and the sand, and the hotel drop-off means you don't have to navigate getting home. The whole thing is built so you show up, get picked up, and everything else is already arranged.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• transport by catamaran or speedboat to Saona Island.
• swim stop at the natural pool sandbar.
• beach time on Saona Island.
• buffet lunch with BBQ and vegetarian option.
• open bar with local rum, beer, soft drinks and water.
• accredited tour guide for the full day.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Sol Cana Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full beach day without arranging transport, entry, or meals — the catamaran departure time and hotel pickup mean you're not coordinating logistics, and the included lunch and bar remove the need to budget for food and drinks on the island.

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Top questions

How long is the boat ride to Saona Island?

Around two hours by catamaran or speedboat from the pickup point.

What's included in the open bar?

Local rum, beer, soft drinks, and water throughout the day.

Is there a vegetarian lunch option?

Yes, a vegetarian option is available with the buffet lunch.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the dock?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the excursion.

What is the natural pool stop?

A sandbar in waist-deep water where you can swim and the sand is visible beneath you.

Is the guide multilingual?

The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide depending on your group.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a towel. The boat is air-conditioned, so bring a light layer if you get cold easily.