Wooden boats on the sand beneath palms on Isla Saona

Isla Saona · Photo: Holger Woizick / Unsplash

Isla Saona tour types compared

Sailing catamaran, luxury small-group catamaran or adventure-park style: what to look for.

Most Isla Saona trips depart from Bayahibe, with hotel pickup available from Punta Cana and La Romana on many tours.

Common formats: a sailing catamaran out and speedboat back with a stop at the natural pool; small-group 'relax' or luxury catamarans; and larger mass-market tours. Group size is the biggest difference in experience.

Ask each operator: group size, what's included (lunch, drinks, park fees), the natural-pool stop, and pickup times. Prices change often; confirm directly.

The island in brief

Isla Saona covers about 110 km² and lies roughly 2.4 km off the south-east coast in La Altagracia province. It is a protected nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park (formerly Parque Nacional del Este), with two permanent settlements: the fishing village of Mano Juan and the naval base at Catuano. Because it is protected, development is minimal, which is exactly why the beaches look the way they do in photos, and why tours follow set landing points rather than roaming freely.

Tour type 1: the classic catamaran-and-speedboat day

The most sold format pairs a sailing catamaran in one direction with a speedboat in the other, a buffet lunch on the beach, and a stop at the shallow sandbank known as the natural pool, where starfish are often seen. Pro Excursions Bayahibe's Saona Prestige is a published example: US$165 per adult at the regular rate (US$149 online) and US$99 per child under 12. Expect a long, social day with music on board; it suits first-time visitors, families and groups of friends.

Tour type 2: small-group and eco tours

Smaller boats trade the party atmosphere for space and quieter beaches. Quetzal Catamaran lists a Saona day on its own boat from US$159 and runs small-group Saona and Catalina trips. SeavisTours, family-owned since 1999, runs the Saona Crusoe VIP by speedboat to Mano Juan, including its sea-turtle project, Canto de la Playa and the natural pool, as well as a half-day Saona Special and a Jungle Eco Tour with the Padre Nuestro trail, a cave swim and the Río Chavón. These suit couples, photographers and anyone who has done the big-boat day before.

Tour type 3: private charters and dive days

For a celebration or a family group, a private boat sets its own schedule. Quetzal lists a private motor catamaran for up to 60 guests, a 43-ft sailing boat for up to 10 and a speedboat for up to 6. Saona Travelers sells private speedboat tours from Bayahibe, La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Divers should look at Casa Daniel in Bayahibe, a Swiss-Dominican dive school since 1991 with 15+ local sites, dives from US$44, island day trips from US$30 and PADI courses from US$95. A private boat is also the easiest setting for ExperiencesDR's in-house video and drone coverage or an Event DJ (from US$1,000).

Checklist before you pay

Ask every operator the same questions: maximum guests per boat; hours on the beach versus on the water; whether lunch, drinks and park fees are included; whether the natural-pool stop is guaranteed; pickup time and location; and the cancellation policy if the sea is rough. Written answers make the cheapest-looking option easy to compare honestly.

Related guides

Deciding between islands? Read our Isla Saona vs Isla Catalina comparison. Planning a wider trip from Punta Cana? See our guide to the best excursions from Punta Cana, which groups day trips by type with published prices.

Providers compared

Listing	Location	What they offer	Published price
Pro Excursions Bayahibe	Bayahibe	Saona & Las Palmillas catamaran trips, boat charters, hotel transport	Saona Prestige: US$165/adult regular (US$149 internet rate), US$99/child under 12
Quetzal Catamaran Excursions	Bayahibe	Small-group Saona & Catalina catamaran trips, private charters, buggy & land tours	Day Trip Saona Island (Quetzal boat): US$159
SeavisTours	Bayahibe	Saona Crusoe VIP, Saona Special half-day, Jungle Eco Tour (Padre Nuestro trail, cave swim, Río Chavón)	On request
Saona Travelers	Bayahibe	Isla Saona regular, VIP, catamaran and private speedboat tours from Bayahibe, La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo	On request
Casa Daniel	Bayahibe	Boat dives to Catalina, Saona and the St. George wreck; PADI courses, Nitrox, cave diving, island excursions	Dives from $44; island day trips from $30; PADI courses from $95

Key facts by provider

Quetzal Catamaran Excursions: capacity: Private motor catamaran up to 60; 43-ft sailing boat up to 10; speedboat up to 6; languages: English, French, Spanish (site languages)
SeavisTours: Family-owned since 1999; Saona Crusoe VIP by speedboat to Mano Juan, sea-turtle project, Canto de la Playa and the natural pool; languages: English, German, Spanish, Dutch
Casa Daniel: Swiss-Dominican dive school since 1991; 15+ local dive sites; PADI courses from DSD to Rescue Diver; languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Russian

How much does a Saona catamaran cost?

We have not yet verified current prices with a citable source. Check the operator pages linked from our Isla Saona listings.

Where do most Saona tours depart from?

Bayahibe, about 16 km east of La Romana, with hotel pickup from Punta Cana and La Romana on many tours.

Is Isla Saona a national park?

Yes. It is a protected reserve within Cotubanamá National Park (formerly Parque Nacional del Este).

Which Saona tour is best for small groups?

Speedboat eco tours such as SeavisTours' Saona Crusoe VIP or Quetzal's small-group catamarans.

Can I hire a private boat to Saona?

Yes. Quetzal lists private boats for 6, 10 or up to 60 guests; Saona Travelers sells private speedboat tours.

Are children cheaper?

Pro Excursions lists US$99 for children under 12 on the Saona Prestige.