A Magical Day on Saona Island

We were transfered from...

We were transfered from bus to bus on the way there, then boat to boat. Very crowded on the boat. Very long day for what little time we got to spend on the island. They said they would have beer and soda, they only offered rum. The staff was mocking passengers in their language not knowing some of us could understand them. Very unprofessional and disappointing.

via Viator

The Paradise of the Dominican Republic.

Going to Saona Island was an incredible experience. Its crystal-clear waters, white sand, and tropical atmosphere make the place feel like a true paradise. I went with friends, and it definitely made the trip even more fun and special. The food was very good, especially the paella, which had excellent flavor and fresh seafood. And the piña coladas were among the best: very cold, creamy, and perfect for enjoying under the sun by the sea. Although it is a full-day excursion and can feel a bit tiring, it is truly worth going. Between the scenery, the music, the atmosphere, and the moments shared with friends, it ends up being an unforgettable experience.

Response from the operator: ¡Muchísimas gracias por compartir una reseña tan bonita! Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste de Isla Saona, la comida, las piñas coladas y, sobre todo, los momentos junto a tus amigos. Fue un placer ser parte de esa experiencia. ¡Esperamos volver a recibirlos pronto para otra aventura inolvidable! 🇩🇴🫶

via Tripadvisor (translated)

This trip is not what it’s seemed

This is not what it seems. We get to the beach with all the boats and board our boat.we couldn’t see the boat only the back of it at the time but it was recked not that it matters but all the other boats were extremely nice this one had a hole in the side and a towel was plugging it this trip says Saona island snorkeling but the only snorkeling we did we off the boat in the marina.they gave us goggles no snorkeling and a life jacket.we didn’t see many fish at all the only ones we saw they fed to be visable. on a good side the crew was nice and positive.after that it was a smooth boat ride to the island the island is a very cool island but we expected to snorkel but there was no snorkeling there either the food was good but not a big selection but it was very good food. The time we were on the island was 2 hours then we boarded the same boat and it turned out we were going to a sailing catamaran which was not mentioned in the descriptions but it was a very fun experience other than that everything was pretty good but over all this trip is not at all what is listed or told it was gonna be . It was pretty disappointing for 500 dollars and very unexpected or not what it said it was. But if you are going snorkeling or looking for a trip focused on snorkeling book the Catilna island trip witch is more snorkeling focused

Response from the operator: We’re sorry to hear that the experience did not match your expectations and we truly appreciate your feedback. Our Saona Island tour is not specifically focused on snorkeling, as this activity usually lasts around 15–20 minutes since not all guests participate and there are several other activities included in the experience. Regarding the “hole” you mentioned on the boat, we’d like to clarify that it is actually a ventilation opening for the anchor compartment, not damage to the vessel. Safety is always a top priority for us. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the island, the food, and the crew’s positive attitude, but we regret that the overall experience felt disappointing for you.

via Tripadvisor

Gorgeous island, unorganized tour

Super unorganized and lots of wasted time. This tour took the ENTIRE day. We were only on the island for about 2 hours. It was 12 hours by the time we got back to our room. The island itself is GORGEOUS and highly recommend. But this staff needs to learn to respect peoples time and stop being so pushy on boldly asking for tips constantly.

Response from the operator: We’re very sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations and we truly appreciate your feedback. Our Saona Island excursion is a full-day experience, which is clearly communicated in advance, as it includes transportation, multiple stops, and coordination with other groups. We understand that this can feel like a long day, but it is part of the nature of this type of tour. That said, we sincerely apologize if the organization and waiting times caused frustration. This is not the experience we want our guests to have, and we will be reviewing this internally to improve our timing and coordination. Regarding the tipping, we also apologize if you felt uncomfortable at any point. Tips should always be optional and never pressured, and we will address this with our team immediately. We’re glad to hear you found the island beautiful, and we truly regret that the overall experience did not reflect the quality of service we aim to provide.

via Viator

Worst experience. Go some...

Worst experience. Go some where else. Very rude. Your guide fell asleep drunk on the catamaran. No one in our group enjoyed their experience. Waited for other groups to join. Do not recommend at all.

Response from the operator: We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. What you described is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the standards we uphold. Please know that the staff member involved is no longer part of our team, as we take situations like this very seriously and have a zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional behavior. We sincerely regret that your experience did not meet expectations. Your feedback is very important to us and helps us continue improving our service.

via Viator