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Isla Catalina off La Romana

Isla Catalina · Photo: Ondřej Havelka / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Isla Saona vs Isla Catalina: which island day trip to choose

Saona for the long palm-lined beach day and natural pool; Catalina for snorkeling and a shorter boat ride. How they compare and who runs them.

Both islands sit off the DR's south-east coast and both are sold as day trips from Punta Cana, Bayahibe and La Romana, but they suit different travelers.

Isla Saona lies within Parque Nacional del Este. Trips usually leave from Bayahibe and combine a catamaran sail one way, a speedboat the other, and a stop at the shallow natural pool with starfish. It is the classic postcard beach day, and the most popular boats can be crowded.

Isla Catalina is a smaller island just off La Romana, known for snorkeling and diving along its reef wall. The boat ride is short, so it suits families, cruise passengers calling at La Romana and anyone who would rather spend more time in the water than on a boat.

How to choose: pick Saona for a full beach day and the natural pool; pick Catalina for snorkeling and a shorter, calmer day. Either way, group size matters more than the island; ask about it before you book.

Operators we list for Saona include Seavis Tours, Saona Travelers, Pro Excursions Bayahibe and Quetzal Catamaran; ask Bayahibe operators whether they also run Catalina. Stay in Bayahibe (e.g. Casa Daniel) or at Casa de Campo in La Romana for the shortest transfer.

Celebrating? Bodas Punta Cana advertises micro-weddings on Isla Saona, and ExperiencesDR's in-house video/photo team can film the day (pricing on request).

Saona vs Catalina: the comparison

Size and protection: Saona is about 110 km², lies around 2.4 km offshore and is part of Cotubanamá National Park, with the settlements of Mano Juan and Catuano. Catalina is much smaller and lies just off La Romana. Activity: Saona is a beach-and-natural-pool day; Catalina is a snorkel-and-dive day along its reef wall. Time on the boat: longer for Saona, shorter for Catalina from La Romana. Who runs it: Quetzal Catamaran runs small-group trips to both; Casa Daniel in Bayahibe runs boat dives to Catalina, Saona and the St. George wreck.

Prices we can cite

Saona: Pro Excursions Bayahibe's Saona Prestige is US$165 per adult regular (US$149 online) and US$99 per child under 12; Quetzal's own-boat Saona day starts from US$159. Diving: Casa Daniel lists dives from US$44, island day trips from US$30 and PADI courses from US$95. Other operators quote on request.

Cruise passengers at La Romana

If your ship calls at La Romana, Catalina's short crossing is the lower-risk choice for a fixed all-aboard time. If you are staying in Punta Cana, Saona with hotel pickup is the more common plan.

Where to stay for each island

For Saona, Bayahibe (about 16 km east of La Romana) gives the shortest morning; staying in Punta Cana works with hotel pickup but means an early start. For Catalina, La Romana and Casa de Campo are closest. Bayahibe also suits divers, with Casa Daniel's 15+ local dive sites on the doorstep.

Related guides

Decided on Saona? Our Isla Saona tour types guide compares catamaran, eco and private formats. Staying in Punta Cana? See our best excursions from Punta Cana guide.

Providers compared

ListingLocationWhat they offerPublished price
Pro Excursions BayahibeBayahibeSaona & Las Palmillas catamaran trips, boat charters, hotel transportSaona Prestige: US$165/adult regular (US$149 internet rate), US$99/child under 12
Quetzal Catamaran ExcursionsBayahibeSmall-group Saona & Catalina catamaran trips, private charters, buggy & land toursDay Trip Saona Island (Quetzal boat): US$159
Casa DanielBayahibeBoat dives to Catalina, Saona and the St. George wreck; PADI courses, Nitrox, cave diving, island excursionsDives from $44; island day trips from $30; PADI courses from $95
SeavisToursBayahibeSaona Crusoe VIP, Saona Special half-day, Jungle Eco Tour (Padre Nuestro trail, cave swim, Río Chavón)On request

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)
  • 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
  • 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

Related listings & add-ons

Is Saona or Catalina better for snorkeling?

Catalina is better known for snorkeling and diving on its reef wall; Saona is better known for its beaches and the natural pool.

Which island is closer to Punta Cana?

Both are usually reached via the south coast (Bayahibe or La Romana); Catalina has the shorter boat ride from La Romana.

Where do Saona tours depart from?

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

How big is Isla Saona?

About 110 km², roughly 2.4 km off the south-east coast.

Which island suits cruise passengers at La Romana?

Catalina, because of its short crossing from La Romana.

Can I dive both islands?

Yes. Casa Daniel in Bayahibe runs boat dives to Catalina and Saona, from US$44.

Sources