Saona Island Day Trip Punta Cana: Altos de Chavon & Catamaran

Saona Island & a 16th-Century Village in One Day From Punta Cana

You board a catamaran from Bayahibe port and stop at a natural swimming pool before reaching Saona Island for three hours of beach time. Lunch and drinks are included, and you visit the recreated Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavon on the way back. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Punta Cana are part of the package, and small-group organization keeps the experience from feeling crowded. Book for a Wednesday or Saturday departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island day trip from Punta Cana

• Travel to Bayahibe port
• Take speed boat and catamaran rides
• Stop at Natural Swimming Pool for drinks and photos
• Relax on Saona Island white sand beach
• Enjoy barbecue lunch and open bar
• Return to Punta Cana hotel

The experience

The bus was supposed to leave at 7:30, but we didn't pull out until nearly 8. Someone's hotel was running late, and the driver just waited. That's the rhythm of these things. The hour-long ride from Punta Cana hotels takes you inland toward La Romana, where the real trip starts at Bayahibe port. You're organized into small groups, which means the catamaran doesn't feel packed, and when you board, there's actual room to move around. The boat heads out toward Saona Island, but first there's a stop at the natural swimming pool. This shallow, clear-water spot a few miles offshore where you can stand in water that's maybe three feet deep and just float there, taking photos, drinking something cold from the open bar.

Altos de Chavon comes before the island, not after, and it's stranger than the photos suggest. It's a full recreation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, built on a ridge above the Chavon River, and it's used as a film set so often that walking through it feels like you're in a movie that hasn't started yet. Cobblestone streets, stone buildings, a church: all of it designed to look old but built recently. You're not rushed through. There's time to wander, buy a drink, sit on a bench and just look at the river below. Then back to the boat, and then the actual island.

Saona Island is the part you came for. Three hours on white sand with coconut palms, and the water is the color that makes you understand why people come back to the Caribbean. The barbecue lunch happens here (typical Dominican fare, salads, grilled meat), and the open bar means beer, rum, and soft drinks whenever you want them. You're not on a schedule once you're on the sand. The time is yours. Some people swim, some people sleep under a palm, some people just sit and watch the water. The group stays small enough that it doesn't feel like a beach resort crowd.

The whole day is about eight to nine hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on traffic back to your hotel. You'll want sunscreen and a hat. The sun is direct and relentless. Bring a waterproof bag if you have a phone you care about. The boat ride is smooth most days, but it's still a boat, so if you're sensitive to motion, take something before you leave the hotel. The tour runs Wednesdays and Saturdays only, so plan around those dates.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Punta Cana.
• round-trip catamaran transport to Saona Island.
• 30-minute stop at the natural swimming pool.
• visit to Altos de Chavon village.
• three hours on Saona Island.
• buffet barbecue lunch with typical Dominican fare and salads.
• open bar with beer, rum, and soft drinks.
• snacks throughout the day.
• small-group organization.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Caribbean Route

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want the main Saona Island experience without arranging your own transport or timing: the fixed Wednesday and Saturday schedule and included pickup handle the logistics, leaving you to focus on the beach and the day itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

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 tour start?

Pickup from Punta Cana hotels begins early morning. The bus ride to Bayahibe port takes about an hour. Exact pickup times depend on your hotel location.

Is the natural swimming pool included?

Yes. The tour includes a 30-minute stop at the natural pool between the mainland and Saona Island, where you can swim and take photos in shallow, clear water.

What's included in the open bar?

Beer, rum, and soft drinks are available throughout the day at no extra cost.

How long do you spend on Saona Island?

Three hours on the island for swimming, relaxing, and lunch.

Is this tour available every day?

No, it runs Wednesdays and Saturdays only.

What does the barbecue lunch include?

Typical Dominican fare, grilled meat, and salads. The meal is included in the tour price.

Is Altos de Chavon a separate ticket?

No, the visit to Altos de Chavon is included as part of the full-day itinerary.

Can pregnant travelers participate?

No, pregnant travelers are not permitted due to boat movement during the catamaran ride.