Saona Island Day Trip from Juan Dolio: Speedboat & Catamaran

Summary

Saona Island Excursion with Natural Pools & Buffet Lunch

If you want a real taste of Dominican beach life—with easy travel from Juan Dolio, time in shallow natural pools, and plenty of food and music—this Saona Island tour is hard to beat. It’s relaxed but never boring.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air felt warm as we hopped into the van in Juan Dolio—windows down, you catch that salty breeze before you even leave town. Our guide, Luis, kept things light with stories about the island and tips for the day (like don’t forget your sunscreen—seriously). The drive’s not too long, maybe an hour or so, but it’s enough to see how quickly city sounds fade into palm trees and tiny roadside fruit stands.

Once we reached the dock, the switch to a speedboat was quick. I barely had time to snap a photo before we were skimming across turquoise water. There’s this moment when you hit open sea and all you hear is wind and laughter—no traffic, no phones ringing. About halfway to Saona Island, we stopped at a natural pool just off the coast. The water? Clear as glass and only up to your waist. Starfish dot the sand if you look close enough. We waded around for ages while someone nearby played bachata on a portable speaker.

On Saona itself, lunch was set up under palms—rice, grilled chicken, fresh salad, nothing fancy but exactly what hits after swimming. Some folks grabbed drinks from the open bar; others just stretched out on loungers or wandered along the shore looking for shells. The return trip by catamaran was slower—music playing, sun dipping lower. I ended up chatting with a couple from Santiago who swore this is their favorite beach in the country. You’ll probably agree once you see it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Saona Island Excursion

• Relax on Saona Island beaches
• Visit natural pool near the beach

Top questions

How long does the Saona Island tour last?

The full day usually runs about 8-9 hours including pickup and drop-off from Juan Dolio.

Is lunch included on Saona Island?

Yes! A buffet lunch with local dishes is served right on the beach under the palms.

Can kids join this excursion?

Absolutely—it’s suitable for all ages. Infants just need to sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What should I bring?

I’d recommend sunscreen (the sun gets strong), swimwear, towel, and maybe some cash for souvenirs or extra drinks.

What’s included

This tour covers roundtrip transport from Juan Dolio, speedboat ride out to Saona Island, return by catamaran with music and open bar onboard, buffet lunch on the island itself, plus a friendly local guide throughout your day.