
Saona Island Day Trip
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Saona Island Day Trip worth booking?
Saona Island Day Trip is a 8-hour experience in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from $85 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (10)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $85 per person
Saona island Saona Island is the most popular excursion offered in the Dominican Republic. The island is a natural park (protected as a natural reserve) it’s a virgin island with beautiful beaches and speechless coastlines full of palm trees. While on the island you can relax on a chair lounge, hang out by our all inclusive beach bar, play beach volleyball. Around mid day we open our beach buffet for a typical Dominican lunch that includes: chicken, pork, rice, vegetables, beans, salad and fruit, or walk the coastline.
What you get
About this experience
Saona island Saona Island is the most popular excursion offered in the Dominican Republic. The island is a natural park (protected as a natural reserve) it’s a virgin island with beautiful beaches and speechless coastlines full of palm trees. While on the island you can relax on a chair lounge, hang out by our all inclusive beach bar, play beach volleyball. Around mid day we open our beach buffet for a typical Dominican lunch that includes: chicken, pork, rice, vegetables, beans, salad and fruit, or walk the coastline.
What's included
Included
- stop at the biggest natural swimming pool
- Speed boat and catamaran to Isla Saona
- 2-hours at the Saona Island
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What you'll see and do
a stop is made at the natural swimming pool at 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. Bathers have to enjoy around 800 meters parallel to the beach, between the white sand and the huge coral terrace that separates the natural pool from the open sea and that makes this geological wonder possible.
60 minutes here
Isla Saona
Isla Saona is surrounded by beautiful beaches and history, and is one of the most sought after places in the southeast of the Dominican Republic.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Clients Uvero Alto Area
with transportation extra fee Pickup included
CAP CANA AREA
additional transport charge Pickup included
Saona Island Day Trip
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shelting Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Saona Island Day Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The beauty of Saône Island
Saône is a perfect destination to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the sea. On its coastline, you can find fascinating sandbanks, such as the famous "Cave of the Beach", which, when the tide drops, exposes a small isolated paradise. It is also home to diverse marine ecosystems, making snorkeling one of the most popular activities, as its coral reefs are home to vibrantly colored fish and other marine species.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Please be more environmentally conscious - use LESS plastic
I enjoyed the excursion with my my family. We enjoyed the natural swimming pool the most because of the facility it is to swim in the water in that area. The natural swimming pool was an amazing experience. The only downside was that the tour operator told us that they would pick us up from the resort lobby at 7:30am and they showed up at 8:30am outside. The communication was a bit off at the beginning and the driver was late. Also, as the climate crisis is a reality in which we currently live in, I did not appreciate that they used tons of plastic to feed us and for the unlimited drinks on the boats. As the day ended, while walking back to the boat, you can see all the plastic cups, plates, straws, and plastic forks washing up on the shore. As we arrived back on the Bayahibe puerto, I saw countless plastic cups rolling around the Catamaran. All of these plastics end up in the ocean; which made my family and I very sad. We would love to see tour agencies implement the use of compostable or re-usable cups, plates and forks (as seen in other countries such as Mexico). I cleaned up some of the plastics left behind on the Saona shore, but we did not have enough time. I hope that this review makes companies who make a living out of the ocean, become aware of the damage that they can cause to the ocean and animals living in these places by leaving behind tons of plastic on shore and in ocean waters.
Response from the operator: Good afternoon we understand and we are sorry about the pick-up time, our driver had a slight delay that day and even so he was sanctioned and we took measures. Even so, we are sorry and regarding the plastic, we understand it, but there are several factors that the environment has taken into the card , such as reusable dishes or ways of not damaging directly the environment are being taken but unfortunately to make changes like this there’s gotta be an invest and not all of us have the power to do that even so we appreciate that point of view we always try to keep our beaches clean but sometimes we cannot avoid some things we are sorry but we are seeing what actions to implement thanks to your comment!
via Viator
Excellent
Great excursion and the staff who accompanied us was great! Go with your eyes closed, I highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Excellent
Excellent is one. Unforgettable experience the beaches waoo the waves the food is something I would like to repeat again
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A perfect trip
I really liked the excursion the trip with the guide everything very explained very friendly the exquisite food the friends shared a lot. All very nice
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $85 to $110
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Shelting Tours, who run 52 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.0.
See everything Shelting Tours runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Saona Island Day Trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Punta Cana.
How much does Saona Island Day Trip cost?
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Prices start at $85 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 Saona Island Day Trip take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Saona Island Day Trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 10 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 Saona Island Day Trip?
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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 Saona Island Day Trip suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Saona Island Day Trip?
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Around 4 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Saona Island Day Trip 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 Saona Island Day Trip?
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Included: stop at the biggest natural swimming pool; Speed boat and catamaran to Isla Saona; 2-hours at the Saona Island; Lunch; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Saona Island Day Trip include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 255 listed pickup locations in and around Punta Cana. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Saona Island Day Trip offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, English, Italian, 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 Saona Island Day Trip?
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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 Saona Island Day Trip wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Saona Island Day Trip 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 Saona Island Day Trip?
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Across 10 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, good for families. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for Saona Island Day Trip?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Clients Uvero Alto Area, CAP CANA AREA, Saona Island Day Trip. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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