Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo worth booking?
Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo is a 10.5-hour experience in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from $45 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (42)
- Duration
- 10.5 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Discover a dynamic way of getting to know Isla Saona on an excursion sailing the sea by catamaran and speedboat while enjoying the sun and the sea breeze. Also enjoy relaxing at the beach and discover the Saona Natural Pool, located in the nature reserve of the Cotubanama National Park. And all this while you learn curiosities of the island thanks to our local guide. Abanico Beach. One of the best-known beaches on Isla Saona is where you can enjoy miles of white sand, warm, crystal-clear waters, palm trees and relax. The natural pool of Isla Saona, one of the largest in the world, is surrounded by tropical nature and where giant starfish live. 7:00 to 8:00 Pick up from hotels 09:15 Arrival in Bayahibe, from where we will sail to Isla Saona 10:30 Arrival at the natural pool where the starfish are found 11:15 Approx. Arrival at the beach in Isla Saona 12:00 Buffet lunch 14:30 Approx. Return by boat to the port 4:45 p.m. approx. Return by bus to the hotel
What you get
About this experience
Discover a dynamic way of getting to know Isla Saona on an excursion sailing the sea by catamaran and speedboat while enjoying the sun and the sea breeze. Also enjoy relaxing at the beach and discover the Saona Natural Pool, located in the nature reserve of the Cotubanama National Park. And all this while you learn curiosities of the island thanks to our local guide. Abanico Beach. One of the best-known beaches on Isla Saona is where you can enjoy miles of white sand, warm, crystal-clear waters, palm trees and relax. The natural pool of Isla Saona, one of the largest in the world, is surrounded by tropical nature and where giant starfish live. 7:00 to 8:00 Pick up from hotels 09:15 Arrival in Bayahibe, from where we will sail to Isla Saona 10:30 Arrival at the natural pool where the starfish are found 11:15 Approx. Arrival at the beach in Isla Saona 12:00 Buffet lunch 14:30 Approx. Return by boat to the port 4:45 p.m. approx. Return by bus to the hotel
What's included
Included
- It’s a shared bus with more people.
- 25-minute stop at the biggest natural swimming pool
- Professional guide
- Round trip transport
- Alcoholic beverages
- Speed boat and catamaran to Isla Saona
- This tour is shared with more people.
- The pick up for this tour is collective
- Lunch
Not included
- Photography (external company cost additional)
- Towels
- Fish, Shrimp, Lobster ( Available for extra payment)
- Tips are not mandatory
- Beer and piña colada (additional cost)
- The photos belong to another external company. They don't belong to us
- The client must be aware of their belongings, our company is not responsible for lost items.
- This tour does not have pick-up in Cap Cana or the airport area, the taxi is at the client's expense
- This tour does not have pick-up in Veron/Pueblo Bavaro, the taxi is at the client's expense
What you'll see and do
Punta Cana
Pick up of customers to location
10 minutes here
Punta Cana
meeting point walk mart craft gift shop. here you can enjoy beautiful suvenil, mama Juana, hand-painted pictures, national beers, national cigars, artisan cigars. there we wait for the clients of the other hotels ( note: Shopping at this place is not mandatory, it is only the meeting point with clients who come from other hotels
30 minutes here
Punta Cana
Petromovil Bávaro Gas Station, Customers coming from Cap Cana, Cabeza de Toro are expected here.
10 minutes here
Punta Cana
We leave for BAYAHIBE which is where we embark to Saona Island.
30 minutes here
Palmilla
A stop is made at the natural pool of Playa Palmilla, about 200 or 300 meters from the beach line, with the water at the knees or at the waist, to enjoy the perfect scenery and climate.
40 minutes here
Isla Saona
We continue towards our destination, Saona Island
40 minutes here
Isla Saona
then we continue our journey to Saona Island. where you enjoy the tranquility, air and palm trees. in short, Saona Island is a unique beauty. do not stay without booking
180 minutes here
Isla Saona
Return to the BAYAHIBE port of embarkation aboard Catamaran with party and entertainment attached by our star staff. The return could also be by speed boat.
40 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shopy Dominican Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- The pick up for this tour is collective
- It’s a shared bus with more people.
- This tour is shared with more people.
- tips are not mandatory
- Photography (external company cost additional)
- Pets are not accepted
- The photos belong to another external company. They don't belong to us
- This tour does not have pick-up in Cap Cana or the airport area, the taxi... 25,00 USD por reserva
- This tour does not have pick-up in Veron/Pueblo Bavaro, the taxi... 25,00 USD por reserva
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable experience on Saona Island!
My excursion to Saona Island with [Company Name] was absolutely incredible and exceeded all my expectations. It was my first time in the Dominican Republic, and thanks to this tour, I fell in love with the country. From the start, everything was perfect: the staff was friendly, professional, and a lot of fun. The transportation was comfortable, the explanations clear, and the itinerary well-organized. Saona Island beach is a paradise: crystal-clear waters, white sand, and a relaxed yet joyful atmosphere. Lunch was delicious, and there was plenty of time to enjoy the sun, swim, and even dance to the local music. What I appreciated most was the attention to detail and the team's passion for showcasing the best of the DR. They made my first experience in the country magical! I definitely recommend this excursion 100% and would choose this company again on my next trip. Thank you for the unforgettable memories!
via Tripadvisor
Birthday celebration
Amazing! The day was grey; however, the vibe was vibrant. We stopped at a sand bar aka natural swimming pool. Fabulous...Music, dancing, rum, sea stars. Then, off we rode to Saona Island and the joyous atmosphere. Food and open bar. The piña coladas were at an extra cost but worth it. Finally, we headed back; again it was a party on the catamaran. Highly recommend this excursion! Worth the money!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for sharing your experience
via Viator
Misleading
So the trip on the catamaran took about 1 1/2 hues to get to the swimming place. It was fun, but only rum and coke to drink. Food was extra (didn’t eat it). After the swimming we finished our trip to Saona Island. The island was beautiful, but very rocky. Turns out most were conch shells, so that was pretty neat. But definitely should have worn shoes in the water. The food was mediocre at best. You could not walk 10 steps without someone trying to sell you something. It would be nice just to be able to relax without having a constant bombardment of people over your shoulder yelling at you. This excursion also offers a snorkeling adventure in a small pool with starfish around. At the start of our excursion, our guide Pedro informed us we would do it after Saona Island. When it was time to leave the island, we again asked him and he informed us once we get back to the mainland. When we got back, we met with him and again about the snorkeling. He said yes follow me and get on this bus. He told us three other families were also going to do snorkeling. When we got on the bus, it ended up taking us back to our resort. So we had NO SNOKELING!!! That was at the top of our list. We Pay for the excursion, Paid for the picture package (with no snorkeling pictures) Gave generous tips to the Boat crew and guide, as well as bought things from the locals on Saona Island. After getting back, I reached out to [Viator] And they were able to assist me in getting back a measly $64 off of our excursion. When we spent well over $700 for everything ( including tips and souveniers). I think it’s pretty messed up that a company allows this excursion to advertise whenever after reading the reviews, it shows several other people got screwed over in the process. Please, if you’re wanting to make a memorable experience, do not book this excursion. Book it through another business.
Response from the operator: Greetings, Thank you for your review. The first thing is that you paid for an excursion to Saona Island (Not for Snorkeling) we give free snorkeling when the weather allows us. Due to the rains and bad weather that we have been through during the last month, the snorkeling is suspended, which Pedro explained to you and you agreed. on the rocks/on the beach it is like that because of the same rain but not because it is like that. We are in cyclonic season. About the beach vendors, they are locals who live there and make their living this way and the refund you requested of 64 dollars was returned 40 because you bought an excursion to Saona with free snorkeling
via Viator
Waste of time and money
There was a big gap between their advertising pictures and descriptions and the reality. Most of day was spent in transportation than the actual activities. They crammed as many people as possible in the boat. The snorkeling was only for advertising as the water was very choppy and no fish to be seen. There were big lines for the food. The beach chairs were broken and in bad condition. Bottom line we don’t recommend as it was a waste of money and time.
Response from the operator: Greetings, thank you for your review, we remind you that if the water was rough it is not our fault but rather nature's fault, with things that escape our hands. We cannot do magic to make the fish see if the water is like this at that moment. Regarding the boats, each boat has the capacity of the person that goes, they always go less and never go more than the capacity since that is what the inspection carried out by the government authorities is for. The Ministry of Tourism and Politours, which are to inspect each boat that goes. Going out, about the line to eat, remember that it is a buffet where there are more people, it is different from the hotel where you are staying. several buffets set up cannot compare the buffet on the Island with that of a Hotel
via Viator
Low value for money
Saona is a paradise we visited for 2h. The rest was loosing time on transfers (moving from transport to transport) and activities designed to get the tips out of us - waiting time for catamaran was long, they served only rum and coke, lunch on island was bad (poor choice and they took away full trays soon after serving)... snorkeling did not happen. All in all value for money is 1 out of 10. Proof is that no one left a tip in the end and we were happy to finish finally and go to our hotel
Response from the operator: Good morning my dear Ana. Thank you for your review. On the beach the time is from 2 and a half to 3 hours, so it is the established time, tips are not mandatory, in fact it says in the description that there is no obligation to leave tips. If the snorkeling wasn't done that day it was for some reason, but not because it doesn't happen. In fact, we give it to customers for free. Regarding the food, remember that it is on a list so it is impossible for us to have as much variety as a hotel buffet.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Punta Cana.
How much does Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo cost?
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Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Punta Cana usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo take?
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Plan for about 10.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Punta Cana is not rushed.
Is Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 42 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Punta Cana, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Punta Cana can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Punta Cana and add a light layer if any part of the 10.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Punta Cana within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Punta Cana?
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On Outty we rank every Punta Cana experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Punta Cana Zipline - 8 lines and a suspenseful hanging bridge, Buggy Excursion to Macau Beach and Natural Cave, Small Group Buggy Tour to Water Cave and Macao Beach. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Punta Cana?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo?
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Included: It’s a shared bus with more people; 25-minute stop at the biggest natural swimming pool; Professional guide; Round trip transport; and Alcoholic beverages. Not included: Photography (external company cost additional); Towels; Fish, Shrimp, Lobster ( Available for extra payment); and Tips are not mandatory. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 214 listed pickup locations in and around Punta Cana. Be ready about 45 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo offered in?
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It is offered in English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Excursión de un día a la Isla Saona desde Punta Cana con almuerzo?
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Across 42 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, photo opportunities. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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