Saona Island Tour: Speedboat, Natural Pool & Lunch

Twelve hours on the water and sand: speedboat to Saona, lunch included, music on the way back

A twelve-hour tour from Santo Domingo to Saona Island by speedboat or catamaran, with hotel pickup, a stop at the Natural Pool, Dominican buffet lunch and open bar, and free time on the beach. The tour includes a guide in English or Spanish, round-trip transport, and beach activities like volleyball and snorkeling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island Adventure from Santo Domingo

• Pickup from meeting point
• Drive to Bayahibe
• Board speedboat or catamaran
• Travel to Saona Island
• Visit Natural Pool and swim
• Observe mangroves and marine life
• Relax on beach and enjoy activities
• Eat Dominican buffet lunch
• Enjoy open bar drinks
• Return to Bayahibe by boat
• Enjoy music and dancing onboard
• Transport back to meeting location

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Santo Domingo and a scenic drive to Bayahibe, where you board either a speedboat or catamaran for the crossing to Saona Island. The boat ride itself is part of the experience: you'll see the Caribbean coastline and stop at the Natural Pool, a shallow sandbank in the middle of the ocean where you can swim, photograph starfish and tropical fish, and learn about the mangroves that line the shallows.

Once on Saona Island, the afternoon is yours to structure. The white sand beach and clear water are there for swimming and snorkeling, but the tour also sets up beach volleyball if you want to play, and you can simply lie in the sun if that's the plan instead. A Dominican buffet lunch arrives midday with unlimited drinks from the open bar (rum, soft drinks and water included), so you're not hunting for food or calculating what to order.

The return journey to Bayahibe includes music and dancing on board, then a comfortable drive back to your meeting point. The whole day runs twelve hours from pickup to drop-off, and the guide speaks English or Spanish depending on the group.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup and transportation to Bayahibe.
• speedboat or catamaran passage to Saona Island.
• stop at the Natural Pool with guide commentary.
• Dominican buffet lunch.
• open bar with rum, soft drinks and water.
• beach time on Saona Island.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MERLARI TROPIKA TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this shared speedboat or catamaran tour if you want a full day structured around multiple stops (the Natural Pool, mangrove exploration, and beach time) with lunch included. Choose a private charter instead if you'd rather control the itinerary and pacing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is the Natural Pool on this tour?

The Natural Pool is a shallow sandbank in the middle of the ocean between Bayahibe and Saona Island. You stop there to swim, see tropical fish and starfish, and observe the mangroves. The guide explains their ecological role.

Is the speedboat or catamaran ride rough?

The tour offers either a speedboat or catamaran for the crossing to Saona Island. Both provide views of the Caribbean Sea and coastline. The catamaran is generally the calmer option if you're concerned about motion.

What's included in the Dominican buffet lunch?

A Dominican-style buffet lunch is served on Saona Island with a variety of options, and the open bar provides unlimited rum, soft drinks and water throughout the day.

How much free time do you get on Saona Island itself?

After the Natural Pool stop and lunch, you have free time to swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball, sunbathe or explore the island on your own before the return boat departs.

Does the tour pick up from my hotel?

Yes, pickup is included from your designated meeting point in Santo Domingo, with the exact time confirmed the evening before. The tour also includes the return drive back to that location.