Isla Saona Tour: Catamaran, Natural Pool & Buffet Lunch

Swim the natural pool, then spend half a day on Isla Saona's beaches

A full-day catamaran tour from Bayahibe to Isla Saona with roundtrip hotel transfer, a stop at the natural pool, and a buffet lunch on the island. The tour runs eight hours and includes a local guide in multiple languages, entertainment during the boat ride, and access to the island's beaches and Cotubanamá cave. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Saona Island tour

• Pick up at hotel
• Travel by bus to Bayahibe
• Boat ride to natural pool
• Swim and enjoy natural pool for 1 hour
• Boat ride to Saona Island
• Buffet lunch on Saona Island
• Free time on Saona Island for 3 to 4 hours
• Return to Bayahibe and hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in the Punta Cana area—Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, Cortecito, Bávaro or Cabeza de Toro—and a drive to the small port town of Bayahibe. From there, you board a catamaran for the crossing to Isla Saona. Halfway across, the boat stops at the natural pool, a shallow sandbar in open water where you can swim and wade for about an hour before heading on to the island.

Once on Isla Saona, you have three to four hours to explore. The island has a long history: the Taíno people called it Adamanay before Columbus arrived and renamed it Bella Savonesa. Today it's known partly because scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean and the film Blue Lagoon were shot here. You'll find the Cotubanamá cave, named after the Taíno chief executed there, which draws many visitors. The beaches themselves are the main draw—long stretches of sand and shallow turquoise water.

Lunch is a buffet of typical Dominican food served on the island at no extra cost. The catamaran ride includes a local drink and entertainment. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages. The return journey follows the same route, with the boat stopping at the natural pool again if time allows, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Roundtrip hotel transfer from Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, Cortecito, Bávaro or Cabeza de Toro.
• transport from your hotel to Bayahibe.
• catamaran ride to and from Isla Saona with a stop at the natural pool.
• local drink and entertainment during the boat ride.
• buffet lunch with typical Dominican food on the island.
• and a multilingual guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Mercatrip

Is this one for you?Staying in Punta Cana and want the island experience without coordinating boats or transport yourself—pickup, crossing, natural pool, and lunch all arranged so you spend real time on Saona's beaches instead of rushing through an afternoon.

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Top questions

What exactly is the natural pool stop on the way to Isla Saona?

The natural pool is a shallow sandbar in the open water between Bayahibe and the island where you can swim and wade. The boat stops there for roughly an hour on both the outbound and return journey, giving you time to cool off before and after your time on Isla Saona itself.

How much time do I actually get to spend on Isla Saona?

You'll have three to four hours on the island once the catamaran arrives. That's enough time to swim, walk the beaches, visit the Cotubanamá cave if you want, and eat the included buffet lunch before heading back to the boat.

Is the lunch included, or do I need to bring money for food?

Lunch is included in the tour price—a buffet of typical Dominican food served on the island. There's no extra charge for it, and a local drink is also included during the boat ride.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Can I bring my young child on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age one. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

How long is the whole day, and when does pickup happen?

The full tour runs eight hours from hotel pickup to return. Pickup happens at your hotel in the morning; the exact time depends on which area you're staying in (Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, Cortecito, Bávaro or Cabeza de Toro), and you'll be back by late afternoon.