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Saona Island: Small Group Catamaran & Lunch with Snorkeling

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration8h

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · FR +1

PickupAt your hotel

Saona’s blue water, fresh lunch and quiet beaches away from crowds

You’ll sail to Saona Island on a roomy catamaran with just a small group—snorkeling with guides, fresh lunch onboard (with rosé!), and plenty of space to stretch out or nap under palm trees. Swim in shallow natural pools far from other tourists before heading back with salt in your hair and probably a new favorite memory.

Step-by-step itinerary

Board sailing boat at Bayahibe
Snorkeling with guides
Relax on Saona Island beach
Enjoy lunch on board
Visit natural pool to see starfish

The Experience

Ever wondered if the water in those Saona Island photos is really that blue? I did too, honestly. The morning started at Bayahibe—just a handful of us shuffling onto this huge catamaran (Quetzal, our guide said), shoes already off, toes feeling that weird mix of excitement and sunscreen. There was this salty breeze and the low thump of music from the speakers, but not loud enough to drown out the sound of someone laughing in Spanish near the bar. I liked that it wasn’t packed; everyone sort of found their own corner or cushion without bumping elbows.

Snorkeling came first. I’m not exactly Jacques Cousteau, so I stuck close to our guide—she pointed out these little flashes of color darting under the boat. The mask always smells a bit like rubber and ocean together, you know? But it’s worth it for those moments when you spot something moving in the coral and want to nudge someone nearby (I did). Then back onboard, there was this spread—avocadoes sliced open right there, tomatoes glistening in the sun, chicken with ginger that surprised me (in a good way), and pasta tossed with pesto. Rosé wine too. Someone tried to order beer in French and got corrected gently by the bartender—made us all laugh.

We landed on Saona Island itself after lunch. The sand was soft but not blindingly white like postcards make it seem—it felt real, warm underfoot. I grabbed a chair under some palm trees and just watched people drift into naps or wander down to the water with a drink in hand. No big crowds anywhere; apparently they time things so we miss most of them. At one point I just lay back and listened to a couple locals arguing about baseball scores somewhere behind me (Dominican voices carry even when they’re whispering).

The last stop was this natural pool—shallow water stretching forever, starfish scattered around if you looked close enough. We were far from any other boats; it actually got quiet for a second except for someone opening another bottle of rum nearby. I still think about floating there, sun on my face, not really caring what time it was or what came next.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (Bayahibe area), guided snorkeling with all equipment provided, unlimited drinks (beer, rum, soft drinks), snacks throughout the trip plus a full lunch onboard featuring salads, chicken breast with ginger sauce, beef options and pasta with pesto as well as fresh fruit and rosé wine before returning in comfort on the spacious catamaran.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Quetzal Catamaran Excursions - Saona & Catalina