Saona Island Day Trip: Beaches, Snorkeling & Starfish Pool

Turquoise water so clear you see starfish on the seafloor without diving

You get picked up from your hotel, boat to Saona Island, time on two beaches with lunch included, a snorkeling session in the reefs, a guided mangrove tour where sea turtles live, and a float in the natural starfish pool. Snorkeling equipment and drinks are covered, so you arrive with nothing but a swimsuit and leave with the kind of memory that sticks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relax and explore Saona Island

• Visit Avanico Beach for relaxation
• Enjoy lunch at Catuano Beach
• Snorkel in crystal clear waters
• Explore Saona mangroves and spot turtles
• Swim in natural pool with starfish
• Return to Bayahibe port

The experience

The boat engine cuts out and suddenly you hear only water lapping against the hull. That's when you notice the sand beneath you through three meters of water: pale, almost white, and dotted with small shapes moving slowly across it. You're in the natural swimming pool on Saona Island, and the starfish are right there, close enough to watch without touching. It's the kind of moment that makes you understand why people come back to this island again and again, and why the day is structured around getting you here.

The day starts early with pickup from your Punta Cana hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, then a boat ride to Saona Island itself. Once you arrive, you spend time on Avanico Beach first (a quieter stretch with white sand and water so clear it looks unreal), before moving to Catuano Beach, where lunch happens right on the sand. The meal is fresh and straightforward, nothing fancy, but eating with your feet in the Caribbean does something to how food tastes. After that comes snorkeling in the shallow reefs near the island, where you'll see actual coral and fish moving through it, not just the idea of them. Your snorkeling gear is included, so you don't have to rent or buy anything.

Then the guide takes the boat into the mangroves. Those dense, twisted trees that grow right out of the water. It's darker in there, quieter, and you move slowly through narrow channels. The ecosystem is genuinely alive: you might spot sea turtles moving through their own space, and the guide will point out how the mangroves protect fish nurseries and keep the whole system intact. It's not a long section of the day, but it shifts something about how you see the island. You're not just on a beach. You're in a place that works.

The natural pool comes last, and it's worth the wait. The water is so shallow and so transparent that you can float and watch starfish below you without any effort. Soda and alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day, so you can have a drink while you're floating there if you want. The return boat ride to Bayahibe port gives you time to sit with what you've seen (the mangroves, the reef, the starfish, the quiet beaches) before heading back to your hotel. The whole day runs long, so plan to be back in the late afternoon.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip boat transport to Saona Island, entry to the island, time on Avanico and Catuano beaches, a fresh lunch on the beach, snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling session in the reefs, a mangrove tour by boat, access to the natural swimming pool with starfish, soda, pop, and alcoholic beverages throughout the day, and return transport to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Carribean Medley Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Saona Island experience (beaches, reef snorkeling, mangroves and the starfish pool) without arranging your own boat or timing the stops yourself. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean you show up at your hotel at pickup time and everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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 24 h before the start.

How long is the full Saona Island day trip from Punta Cana?

The excursion runs most of the day, with pickup from your hotel, boat transport, and multiple stops on the island. Plan to be back in the late afternoon.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling gear is provided as part of the tour.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is served on Catuano Beach with fresh, local dishes. Soda, pop, and alcoholic beverages are also included throughout the day.

Will I see sea turtles in the mangroves?

Sea turtles live in the mangrove ecosystem, and the guide will point them out if they're visible during your tour through the channels.

Can I swim in the natural pool with starfish?

Yes, the natural swimming pool is shallow and clear, designed for swimming and observing starfish on the seafloor.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and transport is air-conditioned.

Where does the boat depart from?

The tour includes pickup from your Punta Cana hotel, with the boat departing from Bayahibe port and returning there at the end of the day.