Saona Island day trip from Punta Cana: Natural Pool and lunch

Swim at a sandbank in the open sea, then spend the afternoon on Saona Island

A day trip from Punta Cana to Saona Island combines a stop at the Natural Pool (a shallow sandbank surrounded by starfish in the Caribbean) with several hours on the island itself for swimming and beach time. Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned bus, catamaran transport, a Dominican buffet lunch served on the beach, and an open bar with rum, soft drinks and water are included. The full day runs about 9 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island day trip with lunch

• Hotel pick-up by air-conditioned bus
• Travel to Bayahibe port
• Board catamaran and receive safety briefing
• Sail to Natural Pool for swimming and photos
• Arrive at Saona Island and enjoy free time
• Buffet lunch served on the beach
• More free time on Saona Island
• Return to Bayahibe and board bus
• Transport back to original hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Punta Cana, with timing adjusted for your location: guests further out like Cap Cana or Uvero Alto leave earlier. The bus takes you to Bayahibe port, where you board a catamaran with Caribbean music and views of the coast. Before reaching Saona, the boat stops at the Natural Pool, a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea where you can swim among starfish, take photos or simply float with a drink in hand for about 30 minutes.

Once at Saona Island, you have several hours to swim, sunbathe, play beach games or walk the shoreline. A buffet lunch is served right on the beach: chicken, pork, fish, rice, pasta, salads and seasonal fruit, with soft drinks and water included. The open bar on the catamaran runs throughout the day and includes rum, so you can order drinks during the boat ride and at the island.

The return journey follows the same route back to Bayahibe, then the bus returns you to your original hotel. Drop-off times vary depending on traffic, and you'll want to collect all your belongings before leaving the bus. Guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language, so you'll have information about the stops and the day's logistics from the start.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned bus.
• catamaran transport to Saona Island with a stop at the Natural Pool.
• Dominican buffet lunch on the beach with chicken, pork, fish, rice, pasta, salads and seasonal fruit.
• open bar on the catamaran with water, soft drinks and rum throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to13h before

AgesAdult (9 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Universal Excursion

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Punta Cana and can commit to a 9-hour day starting before 8am. You'll spend significant time in the water at the Natural Pool and Saona Island, so comfort wading and floating matters more than strong swimming skills.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Natural Pool and why do people stop there?

The Natural Pool is a shallow sandbank in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, famous for its clear water and starfish. You stop there for about 30 minutes to swim, take photos and relax before continuing to Saona Island.

Is lunch included in the Saona Island day trip?

Yes, a Dominican-style buffet lunch is served on the beach at Saona Island, with chicken, pork, fish, rice, pasta, salads and seasonal fruits. Soft drinks and water come with it. Rum and other drinks are available at the open bar.

What time does the pickup happen from my hotel?

Pickup times vary depending on your hotel's location. Hotels further from Bayahibe, like those in Cap Cana or Uvero Alto, are collected earlier because of the distance. Your confirmation will show your specific pickup time.

How long is the full day trip?

The day trip runs about 9 hours from hotel pickup to return drop-off, including the catamaran ride, the Natural Pool stop, time on Saona Island and the journey back.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Yes, round-trip air-conditioned bus transportation from your hotel to Bayahibe port and back is included in the day trip.