Saona Island Day Trip from Punta Cana: Speedboat & Catamaran

What happens when you trade your hotel for a speedboat and three hours on Saona Island?

You get picked up from your hotel, travel by speedboat to a shallow natural pool where you can see starfish, then spend three hours on Saona Island swimming and walking the beach. Lunch is served on the island, and you return on a catamaran with live music. The full day, including all transport, entry, food and drinks, takes about eight hours and ends back at your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Saona Island excursion

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel to Bayahibe by transport
• Board speedboat to Saona Island
• Stop 45 minutes at Natural Pool
• Continue to Saona Island
• Enjoy free time on Saona Island
• Have buffet lunch at 1:00 pm
• Board catamaran to Bayahibe
• Enjoy party and dancing on catamaran
• Return to hotel by transport

The experience

The day starts early. A driver picks you up from your hotel in Punta Cana and takes you to Bayahibe, a small fishing village where the speedboat waits. Once you're on the water, the Caribbean opens up. Halfway to Saona Island, the boat stops at the Natural Pool, also called the Blue Lagoon, where the water is so shallow you can stand in it and still see your feet. Starfish move around the sandbanks. You get 45 minutes there, which sounds short until you're actually in it and realize you could stay longer but also don't want to miss the island itself.

Saona Island is the thing people mean when they say white sand and turquoise water without sounding like a postcard. You have about three hours to walk around, swim, sit under the palms, or just stand there. Lunch happens at 1 p.m.: buffet style, with meats and sides, and it's included. The food is straightforward, nothing fancy, but you're eating on an island in the Caribbean, so it works. After that, the catamaran takes you back to Bayahibe. This is the part that catches people off guard: there's music, dancing, animation for about an hour and a half on the boat ride home. Some people love it. Some people just sit on the deck and watch the water turn orange as the sun drops. Both are fine.

The whole thing (pickup, speedboat, Natural Pool, island time, lunch, catamaran back, return to your hotel) runs about eight hours. You're in the water and moving the whole time, so it doesn't feel long. Drinks are included throughout, which matters when you're in the sun. The air-conditioned vehicle at the start and end means you're not standing around sweating before or after.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• speedboat to Saona Island with a 45-minute stop at the Natural Pool.
• approximately three hours of free time on Saona Island.
• buffet lunch with meats and sides.
• catamaran return to Bayahibe with live music and dancing.
• soft drinks and alcoholic beverages throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vacation On RD

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Punta Cana who want a full island day without arranging boats, entry fees or meals separately: 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 guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

What time does the pickup happen?

Pickup is from your hotel in Punta Cana early in the morning. The exact time depends on your hotel location, but the full excursion runs about eight hours total.

Is the Natural Pool stop included?

Yes. The speedboat stops at the Natural Pool (Blue Lagoon) for 45 minutes on the way to Saona Island, where you can wade and see starfish.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return, speedboat and catamaran transport, entry to Saona Island, buffet lunch, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

How long do you spend on Saona Island itself?

About three hours of free time to swim, walk the beach, and relax.

Is there entertainment on the way back?

Yes. The catamaran ride back to Bayahibe includes music, dancing and animation for approximately one hour and a half.

What if I have mobility concerns?

The tour involves getting on and off boats and walking on sand and in shallow water. Speak with the operator before booking if you have specific mobility needs.