Saona Island Tour Punta Cana: Speedboat, Natural Pool & Beach Lunch

White sand and turquoise shallows: a speedboat ride to Saona Island's quietest corner

You get hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, a speedboat ride across the Caribbean, a 45-minute stop at the Natural Pool where water reaches your waist and starfish are visible, nearly three hours on Saona Island's white-sand beaches, and a buffet lunch with drinks included. The whole day runs 8 to 9 hours, and the boat returns you to your hotel by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island tour with lunch

• Pickup from hotel to Bayahibe
• Board speedboat to Saona Island
• Stop at Natural Pool and Starfish Sanctuary
• Arrive at Saona Island
• Enjoy free time on the island
• Buffet lunch at 1:00 pm
• Return transport to hotel

The experience

The speedboat cuts across the Caribbean at dawn, salt spray hitting your face as Bayahibe shrinks behind you. Hotel pickup happens early. Your driver collects you in an air-conditioned vehicle and the ride to the dock takes about 30 minutes depending on where you're staying in Punta Cana. Once aboard, the real journey starts: you're headed for Saona Island, and the water changes color every few minutes, from deep blue to something almost unreal.

Halfway there, the boat slows. You're at the Natural Pool: a sandbank in the middle of the sea where the water barely reaches your waist, and starfish rest on the bottom like they've been waiting for you. This 45-minute stop is the kind of thing that ends up as your phone's lock screen. The water is so clear you can count your toes. After that, it's another stretch across open water until Saona Island appears, and you've got nearly three hours to walk the beach, swim, or just sit under the palms and let the day happen around you.

Lunch lands at 1 p.m.: buffet style, with grilled meats, rice, plantains, and whatever the kitchen decided that morning. Drinks come included: soda, beer, rum punch, water. The food isn't fancy, but it's hot and there's enough of it, and you're eating it on a Caribbean beach, so the bar is already high. After you eat, you drift back into the water or find a hammock. The boat waits. Around 4 p.m. you head back to Bayahibe, and the return ride gives you time to actually process what you just saw instead of chasing the next thing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Punta Cana accommodation.
• speedboat transport to and from Saona Island.
• 45-minute stop at the Natural Pool with starfish sanctuary access.
• approximately 2 hours 45 minutes of free time on Saona Island.
• buffet lunch at 1 p.m. with grilled meats and side dishes.
• soft drinks, beer, and rum punch throughout the day.
• professional tour guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Vacation On RD

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Saona Island experience without arranging your own boat, timing multiple stops, or figuring out lunch: the fixed schedule and included transport from your hotel means you show up ready to swim, and everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): 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 24h before the start.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup happens in the early morning. Exact time depends on your hotel location in Punta Cana. The speedboat departs from Bayahibe after the 30-minute drive from the pickup point.

Is the Natural Pool stop included?

Yes. The boat stops for 45 minutes at the Natural Pool (also called the Blue Lagoon or sandbanks), where water depth is about 1 meter and you can see starfish on the bottom.

How much free time do you get on Saona Island?

Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, which includes the time lunch is served at 1 p.m.

What's included in lunch?

Buffet-style lunch with grilled meats, side dishes, rice, and plantains. Drinks include soda, beer, rum punch, and water.

Is the speedboat ride rough?

The Caribbean can have waves, especially in the morning. The boat is designed for the route, but if you're sensitive to motion, take medication before boarding.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a hat, a light cover-up, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Water shoes help on the sandy bottom at the Natural Pool.

Can you bring your own food or drinks?

Lunch and drinks are included in the tour. Outside food and alcohol are typically not permitted on the boat.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours from hotel pickup to return, including transport, the Natural Pool stop, time on Saona Island, and the boat ride back.