Saona Island tour: Three remote beaches and starfish lagoon

Three untouched beaches, starfish in shallow water, and a fishing village with no roads

A full-day eco-tour of Saona Island from Bayahibe, timed to cruise ship schedules, that skips the crowded catamaran beaches and instead visits three remote coves, a sea turtle project, and a natural starfish lagoon. The guide speaks English, German or Dutch and covers Taíno history, local wildlife and island ecology. Lunch is a fresh Dominican buffet on the beach. Snorkeling gear and drinks are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island eco excursion and beaches

• Leave Bayahibe and travel coastline
• Visit El Penon rocks and learn history
• Drive along Parque Nacional del Este coastline
• Explore Mano Juan fishing village
• Visit sea turtle project
• Relax and snorkel at Canto de la Playa
• Enjoy BBQ lunch at Catuano Beach
• Relax on beach chairs or hammocks
• Pass mangroves near Saona Island
• Swim at Piscina Natural and see starfish
• Return and enjoy drinks at office space

The experience

The tour leaves Bayahibe and runs nine hours, adjusted to your ship's port times for Mein Schiff and AIDA (contact the operator if you're on a different vessel). The route follows the Cotubanama National Park coastline to El Peñón, where your guide explains the history of the Taíno people who once lived on these rocks and shaped the island's early culture. From there you move along the Parque Nacional del Este, the protected reserve that frames the whole day.

Three beach stops make up the core of the excursion. Mano Juan is a working fishing village of 300 people with no cars. You walk the settlement and visit a sea turtle conservation project that works to stabilize hatchling survival. Canto de la Playa sits at the island's most remote corner, with water so shallow and clear that snorkeling works even for beginners. The reef barrier keeps the bay under five feet deep, and this cove was used as a filming location for well-known movies. Catuano Beach, SeavisTours' own concession, is where you eat: a traditional Dominican buffet of chicken, fried fish, rice, beans, vegetables and tropical fruit, served right on the sand. Afterward you can rest in beach chairs or hammocks.

The natural swimming pool, Piscina Natural, is the tour's signature stop. This shallow sandbank is famous for the starfish that live there in their natural habitat among the seagrass. Your boat anchors in an excluded spot so you feel isolated in the middle of the ocean while you wade and watch the animals. The water stays waist-deep even far from shore, and the color shifts between turquoise and deep blue. On the return, you pass the mangrove forests that the government closed to boat traffic in 2013 because they are the ocean's nursery, providing protection and food for marine life. Back at the office, you have a refreshing drink and time to change before heading to your ship.

What’s included

• Pickup from Bayahibe.
• live guide in English, German or Dutch.
• snorkeling equipment.
• traditional Dominican lunch on the beach with chicken, fried fish, rice, beans, vegetables and tropical fruits.
• water, soft drinks and rum-based cocktails throughout the day.
• access to three remote beaches, the sea turtle project, the natural starfish lagoon and the mangrove channel.
• office refreshment upon return.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish, German and Dutch

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SeavisTours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, German or Dutch, so you follow the commentary in your language without translation delays. The nine-hour timing is locked to Mein Schiff and AIDA schedules. If you're on another ship, confirm availability before booking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): 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 24 h before the start.

What's the fishing village Mano Juan actually like, and what do you do there?

Mano Juan is a working settlement of about 300 people with no cars, built on Saona Island itself. You explore the village on foot and visit a sea turtle conservation project that raises hatchling survival rates to stabilize the population.

Can I snorkel at the starfish lagoon if I've never snorkeled before?

Yes. The Piscina Natural is ideal for beginning snorkelers because the reef barrier keeps the water no more than waist-deep even far from shore, and the bay is protected. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What's included to eat and drink during the nine hours?

A fresh Dominican lunch buffet is served on Catuano Beach with chicken, fried fish, rice, beans, vegetables and tropical fruits. Throughout the day you get water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, mixed juice, and rum-based drinks like Cuba Libre and Rum Punch. Beer is available during lunch.

How does the tour timing work with cruise ship schedules?

The excursion is adjusted to your exact port times for Mein Schiff and AIDA. If you're booked on a different ship, contact the operator to confirm the schedule fits your departure.

What will the guide tell me about the island's history?

Your guide covers the Taíno people who lived on the rocks at El Peñón and shaped Dominican culture, the ecology of the Parque Nacional del Este, the role of mangrove forests as a marine nursery, and the behavior and habitat of the starfish in the natural pool.