Saona Island Tour with Lunch & Catamaran Party: Sea stars at Lagún Azul

The catamaran ride back includes a party with music and drinks, not a quiet return.

A full-day shared group tour to Saona Island departing from Punta Cana with hotel pickup, visiting the natural pool at Lagun Azul and the channel at Catuano, lunch on the island, and a music-filled catamaran return. The boat holds 30 to 45 people on the speedboat and 50 to 60 on the catamaran, so you travel with other guests rather than as a private party. Transportation, lunch, drinks, water and soft drinks are all included. The tour runs about 8 hours from pickup to return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Saona Island excursion

• Hotel pickup in the morning
• Transfer by bus to Bayahibe port
• Boat ride to natural pool (Blue Lagoon)
• Enjoy welcome drinks and see sea stars
• Observe channel dividing Saona and Española Islands
• Lunch on Saona Island
• Return on catamaran with party, music, drinks
• Transfer back to hotels

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro.
• speedboat and catamaran transport.
• lunch on Saona Island.
• open bar with drinks and soft drinks.
• access to the natural pool at Lagun Azul and the Catuano channel.
• and the return catamaran ride with music and party atmosphere.

Times

• Every day 07:45

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 30

Live guide English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (15 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 65 years) · Youth (5 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Sofunrdtours

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

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The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel in the Punta Cana or Bavaro area. The timing depends on where you're staying, but it's roughly an hour's drive to the port at Bayahibe. Once everyone is gathered, you board the speedboat for the run out to the natural pool. This is Lagun Azul, a shallow sandbank in the Caribbean where the water is clear enough to see sea stars on the bottom (you can look but not touch). The pool is where most groups spend their swimming time, and it's the kind of place that looks exactly like the photos.

From there, the boat moves to Catuano, the narrow channel between Saona Island and the mainland. This is where you see the geography that makes the island what it is. Lunch happens on Saona Island itself, included in the price along with an open bar, water and soft drinks throughout the day. The return journey is on a catamaran, and this is where the tour shifts: there's music, dancing and a party atmosphere on the water. It's not a quiet ride back to port.

Because this is a shared excursion rather than a private charter, you'll be traveling with other guests. The speedboat typically carries 30 to 45 people and the catamaran 50 to 60. That means the experience is social and the pace is set by the group, not customized to your preferences. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages, so commentary is available in multiple languages. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour is accessible for wheelchair users, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): 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 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the natural pool at Lagun Azul?

Lagun Azul is a shallow sandbank in the Caribbean where the water is clear and you can see sea stars on the bottom without touching them. It's the main swimming stop on the tour and the place most groups spend their time in the water.

How long is the drive from my hotel to the boat?

From the Punta Cana and Bavaro area, the transfer to the port at Bayahibe is roughly one hour. Pickup times vary depending on your hotel location, and the tour operator will contact you directly to confirm the exact time for your hotel.

Is this a private tour or do I travel with other people?

This is a shared group excursion, not a private charter. The speedboat holds 30 to 45 people and the catamaran holds 50 to 60, so you'll be traveling with other guests throughout the day.

What's included in the price?

Transportation from your hotel, lunch on the island, an open bar with drinks and soft drinks, the speedboat to the natural pool and Catuano, and the catamaran ride back with music are all included.

What happens on the catamaran ride back?

The return to port is on a catamaran with music, dancing and a party atmosphere. Drinks continue to be served, making it a social and lively end to the day rather than a quiet journey back.