Saona Island: Eco Beaches, Turtle Project & BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.80 (115 reviews) 91% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/14

Duration7h–8h

GroupUp to 24

LanguagesEN · DE +2

PickupAt your hotel

Saona’s quiet beaches, sea turtles and a slow village rhythm

You’ll step onto Saona Island’s quietest beaches with a small group and local guide, meet villagers at Mano Juan and see baby turtles up close, then drift over turquoise shallows to swim with starfish before a Dominican BBQ lunch under palms. This day trip leaves you sun-warmed and quietly changed.

7h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Saona Island's nature and culture

Leave Bayahibe along coastline
Visit El Penon rocks and learn history
Tour Cotubanama National Park and Taino culture
Explore Mano Juan fishing village
Visit sea turtle conservation project
Relax and snorkel at Canto de la Playa
Enjoy BBQ lunch at Catuano Beach
Relax on beach chairs and hammocks
Pass mangrove forests along channel
Swim and see starfish at Piscina Natural
Return and enjoy refreshing drink at office

The Experience

We skimmed out from Bayahibe just after sunrise — salt in the air, the boat engine humming under our feet. Our guide, Maribel, pointed to the Cotubanamá coastline as we passed it, telling us about the Tainos who once sheltered in those pale rocks at El Peñon. I tried to picture them watching us zip by. The water was that impossible blue you only see in postcards but here it’s real — I caught myself grinning for no reason. Sometimes you just do.

Our first stop was Mano Juan, which honestly felt like time had slowed down on purpose. No cars anywhere, just sandy paths and painted wooden houses. We walked past a guy fixing his fishing net (he nodded but didn’t look up), and then met Yulissa at the turtle project — she showed us these tiny hatchlings wriggling in their box. She explained how they’re trying to help more survive each year; I never realized how fragile their odds were. I butchered “gracias” with my mouth full of fresh pineapple — Yulissa laughed anyway.

Canto de la Playa came next — if you’ve ever wanted to feel alone on a Caribbean beach, this is it. Just palm trees and shallow water so clear you can count your toes. A few of us tried snorkeling (gear was included), but honestly I mostly floated and listened to nothing except wind in the palms. After that we landed at Catuano Beach for lunch: smoky BBQ pork chops, fried chicken, rice and salad laid out under some palms. The rum punch hit harder than expected (in a good way). Hammocks everywhere — I nearly fell asleep right there.

The last bit was drifting by the mangroves near Saona’s channel — Maribel said this area’s protected now because it’s where so much ocean life starts out. Then we stopped at Piscina Natural — that sandbar where starfish live. The water barely came up to my waist even far from shore; starfish everywhere if you looked close enough among the grasses. It felt weirdly peaceful there — like being let into a secret room in the sea or something. On the ride back I kept thinking about those little turtles and how much quieter Saona feels away from crowds.

What’s included

Your day includes all fees and taxes covered upfront plus use of snorkeling gear whenever you want it. There’s a traditional Dominican BBQ buffet lunch served right on Catuano Beach (think pork chops, fried chicken, rice dishes and fresh fruit), along with unlimited soft drinks or rum punch if that’s your style—just ask for Coca Cola Zero ahead if needed.

Good to know

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

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