Saona Island Cruise from Punta Cana: Natural Pool & Lunch

The Natural Pool Between Reef and Open Sea

You board a speedboat or catamaran from Bayahibe, wade into the natural pool at Playa Palmilla for 40 minutes, then cruise to Saona Island for lunch and beach time. The tour includes hotel pickup, grilled lunch with tropical fruit, national rum, and a professional guide. You return by catamaran or speedboat with the group, arriving back at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Meet at walk mart craft gift shop
• Pick up customers at Petromovil Bávaro Gas Station
• Travel to Bayahibe for embarkation
• Stop at natural pool of Playa Palmilla
• Continue journey to Saona Island
• Enjoy tranquility and palm trees on Saona Island
• Return to Bayahibe by catamaran with party

The Experience

The water hits your knees or waist as you wade into the natural pool off Playa Palmilla, about 200 to 300 meters from the beach line. What makes this spot work is the coral terrace running parallel to shore—a geological barrier that holds the pool in place and keeps the open sea at a distance. You get 40 minutes here, standing in clear water with white sand beneath your feet and palm trees visible on the far bank. It's the kind of thing that sounds simple until you're actually in it.

After the natural pool, the boat heads to Saona Island itself. The ride takes time, but once you arrive the pace shifts completely. No schedule, no rush—just the island, the air, the palms. Lunch happens here: grilled chicken and pork, rice, pasta, tropical fruit, and national rum (the tour includes drinks, though beer isn't part of it). The group eats together, which means you're sharing the day with other travelers, but that's also how you hear stories and meet people who booked the same thing you did.

The logistics are straightforward. You get picked up from your hotel in a shared bus—the tour collects passengers from multiple hotels before heading to Bayahibe, where you board. The boat choice is yours: speedboat one way, catamaran the other, or catamaran both ways if you prefer. The return trip includes entertainment and a party atmosphere on deck, which some people love and others tolerate. Either way, you're back at your hotel by evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a shared bus.
• 25-minute stop at the natural pool with wading time.
• speedboat or catamaran to Saona Island (your choice of outbound boat).
• return by catamaran or speedboat.
• grilled chicken and pork lunch with rice, pasta, and tropical fruits.
• national rum.
• professional guide throughout the day.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Dominican Tours Punta Cana

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Punta Cana who want a full island day without arranging their own boat or transport—the shared pickup and fixed itinerary mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled. Not suitable if you need a private group or prefer to avoid crowds.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

282 verified traveler reviews

5 ★166

4 ★32

3 ★36

2 ★13

1 ★35

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between going by speedboat versus catamaran?

You can choose your outbound boat—speedboat or catamaran—and return by the other, or stay with catamaran both ways. Speedboats are faster and smaller; catamarans are larger and smoother. The itinerary is the same either way.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs the full day from hotel pickup through return, typically around 8 hours total including travel time to and from Bayahibe.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled chicken, grilled pork, rice, pasta, and tropical fruits. National rum is included; beer is not.

Do I have to shop at the meeting point?

No. The meeting point is at a gift shop where the guide waits for passengers from other hotels, but shopping there is optional. It's just where the group assembles before heading to Bayahibe.

Is this tour crowded?

Yes, it's a shared group tour. You travel with other hotel guests on a shared bus and share the boat with other travelers. The natural pool stop has around 25 minutes, and Saona Island time is shared with the full group.

What if my hotel is in Cap Cana or Veron Pueblo Bavaro?

Pickups from Cap Cana or Veron Pueblo Bavaro cost an additional $25 USD per reservation. Confirm with the operator when booking.

Are photos included?

An external photography company operates on the tour. Photos are available for purchase at an additional cost; they don't belong to the tour operator.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, a towel, and cash if you want to tip the guide or buy photos. The tour is water-based, so plan accordingly.