Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar
Description
Take a break from the beaches of Punta Cana and spend an unforgettable day exploring Saona Island, one of the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful natural treasures. Start your adventure with an early hotel pick-up in an air-conditioned bus and enjoy a scenic ride to the Bayahibe port, where you’ll board a comfortable catamaran. On the way to Saona, you’ll stop at the famous Natural Pool, a shallow sandbank in the middle of the Caribbean Sea — perfect for swimming, relaxing, and taking incredible photos surrounded by starfish.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hotel Pick-Up Guests are picked up from their respective hotels in air-conditioned buses. Pick-up times vary depending on the hotel’s location — guests in areas such as Cap Cana or Uvero Alto will be collected earlier due to distance. During the transfer, our representative provides general information about the tour and logistics for the day.
Departure from the Meeting Point All transportation arrives at the main meeting point in Bayahibe, where you’ll board the catamaran or speedboat. Our guides will provide safety instructions and a short orientation before departure.
Sailing to the Natural Pool The journey begins with lively Caribbean music and panoramic views of the coast. You’ll make a stop at the Natural Pool, a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea, famous for its crystal-clear waters and starfish. Here, you can swim, take photos, or simply relax with a drink before continuing to Saona Island.
Arrival at Saona Island Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with tropical music and guided to their area of stay. You’ll have several hours to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beach games, or exploring the island’s natural surroundings. Buffet Lunch on the Beach A delicious Dominican-style buffet lunch is served right on the beach, including chicken, pork, fish, rice, pasta, salads, and seasonal fruits. Soft drinks and water are included. Free Time on the Island Enjoy more time to relax, take photos, or stroll along the beach.
• After enjoying Saona Island, you will return to Bayahibe and re-board the bus to head back to the meeting point. • Transportation will return guests to their original hotel or designated drop-off point. • Drop-off times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic and return logistics. • Please ensure you collect all personal belongings before leaving the bus.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
After being picked up from your hotel, you will be taken to a central meeting point where guests from different hotels converge. At this location, you will transfer to a larger bus that accommodates all participants. The larger bus will then depart toward Bayahibe (approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes). The scheduled departure from the meeting point is around 8:00 a.m., arriving in Bayahibe at approximately 9:45 a.m. Once in Bayahibe, you may wait briefly while our team organizes the boarding process. From there, you’ll begin the trip to Saona Island by speedboat or catamaran, depending on the day’s logistics.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For small children we have special seats next to the parents
Reviews(48)
I am a person with reduced mobility; the tour guides arrived to pick me up at the agreed time, but the driver preferred to leave the location and did not help me get onto the transport, which I could not board in time because the man parked the car on a flooded street. Therefore, I had to wait for my son to help me get on, and no matter how much I asked the driver to wait, he preferred to leave and sent me a message to reschedule the tour. I had to pay for private transport to catch up with the tour. I found it to be a very rude act because the wait was 7 minutes. I do not recommend it for people with mobility difficulties. After the inconvenience, I was able to catch up with the tour, which was in line with its value, and I did it because I could not reschedule.
Gracias por compartir su comentario. Lamentamos que su experiencia haya iniciado con esta situación; sin embargo, consideramos importante aclarar los hechos para evitar confusiones con futuros clientes. Su recogida estaba programada para las 7:25 a.m. Nuestro transporte llegó a la hora indicada y el conductor permaneció en el lugar esperando. Al no encontrarlos listos en el punto acordado, el equipo comenzó a buscarlos y finalmente fueron localizados aproximadamente a las 7:32 a.m., en el área de desayuno. En ese momento, además de no estar en el punto de recogida a la hora indicada, nos informaron que aún no tenían su cartera/documentos listos y solicitaron más tiempo. Lamentablemente, al tratarse de un tour compartido, el transporte no podía continuar esperando indefinidamente, ya que había otros clientes programados y esperando en la misma ruta. Entendemos perfectamente que cada cliente puede tener necesidades particulares, incluyendo movilidad reducida, y siempre tratamos de asistir dentro de nuestras posibilidades. No obstante, también debemos respetar los horarios y la experiencia de los demás participantes del tour. Posteriormente, ustedes lograron llegar al punto de encuentro por sus propios medios y pudieron realizar la excursión. Nos alegra que hayan podido disfrutar la actividad, pero lamentamos que la situación de la recogida haya generado una percepción negativa. Para futuros clientes, recomendamos estar listos en el punto de recogida antes de la hora indicada, especialmente en tours compartidos, ya que los transportes trabajan con rutas coordinadas y varios pasajeros.
The experience was mostly COMMUTE! I got picked up at 6:40, had a 3 hour bus ride to the port (could be shorter but there were a lot of pickups along the way), then a 1.5 hour boat ride (you take pics and dance which was fun) to the natural pool which was BEAUTIFUL but it was mostly for pics. You have 30m to swim around in while the photographer takes pics. Then 30m more min boat ride for the Saona Island for some lunch that was not actually good (I am Dominican, so I KNOW good Dominican food). We started having lunch at 1:35 and had to leave at 3:30… so eating and swimming for 2 hours. Then a 1.5 hour boat ride and then another 3 hour bus ride. We left the island at 3:40ish in a speed boat, got to the port at 5 and didn’t get to our resort until 7:40pm. All of the commute was not worth the 2.5 hours of enjoyment if you can even call that enjoyable for my husband and I. Our resort food at excellence was good and our beach here BEAUTIFUL, we should have picked a different excursion or stayed back. But at least now we have this knowledge. This experience may have been slightly funner with a bigger group perhaps. Also they take professional pictures of you and then you have to pay them to airdrop it. He started at 150, we brought it down to 115ish. To me it was worth the price bc my husband and I need more pictures together but just so you know. They will put a Dominican cap on you in the catamaran … let you wear it for 5 min then come back and ask for 5 each. We gave it back and said no. Also on the lunch if you want pina colada not soda it will be $10 extra. Lots of extra charges.
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your Saona Island experience. We sincerely regret to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, especially regarding the long transportation time, the amount of time spent commuting, and the overall feeling that the experience was not worth it for you and your husband. Saona Island is located quite far from Punta Cana, and the tour does require both ground transportation to Bayahibe and boat transportation to the island. Since this is a shared excursion, the transfer time can vary depending on the number of hotel pickups scheduled that day. However, we understand that a long commute can affect the overall experience, and we apologize if this made the day feel too rushed or tiring. We are sorry to hear that the lunch did not meet your expectations. Your comments are very important, especially as you mentioned being Dominican and knowing the quality of Dominican food. We will share this feedback with the tour provider and the operations team so they can review the food service and improve where needed. Regarding the professional photos, hats, piña coladas, and any other optional purchases, these are offered by independent vendors or third-party providers during the excursion. They are not mandatory, and guests are always free to decline. That said, we understand how these repeated offers can feel like surprise charges, and we will reinforce with the team the importance of clearly communicating what is included and what is optional. We truly appreciate your honest comments. While we are sorry this was not the best excursion for you, your feedback helps us improve the information we provide to future guests so they can better understand the travel time, itinerary, and optional expenses before booking.
It was a sensational experience they serve one very well, they give one the drink without any restrictions.
Muchísimas gracias por compartir su experiencia con nosotros. Nos llena de alegría saber que tuvo una experiencia sensacional y que disfrutó tanto de la atención recibida como del ambiente divertido durante la excursión. Comentarios como el suyo nos motivan a seguir dando lo mejor en cada tour. También nos alegra saber que el servicio y las bebidas fueron parte de una experiencia tan positiva para usted. Será un verdadero placer recibirle nuevamente en una próxima aventura. Gracias por recomendarnos a sus amistades y por elegir Universal Excursions.
We visited the Saona Island yesterday and overall it turned out to be a very good experience, even though it wasn’t exactly what we expected. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to swim with the sea stars as planned, but we still saw many of them clearly from the boat, which was beautiful in its own way. Saona Island itself is truly stunning, with tall palm trees, soft white sand and the incredible turquoise color of the Caribbean Sea 🌊 The scenery alone makes the trip completely worth it and despite a few small disappointments, I’m glad we went and enjoyed the day 🏝️😎
The Island and natural park are beautiful BUT, the tour companies are BAD. Terrible logistic, large amount of people, too may boats to enjoy the view, open bar is just rum with Coke or Sprite. You arrive at Bajahibe and you have to wait for a small boat to taxi you to a large boat. 40 Minutes wait to get off the boat at the end of the day. Photos are a rip off....$100 for a package of photos. Vendors at Saona beach botherring your to make a purchase. It was a waste of a day and cash. Everyone wants a tip...the boat captiain, the tour guide, and the bus driver. I understand that this is how they make a living but please stop asking for cash for a while and let the peopel enjoy the day. The food was not bad but, not aout of this world. Do your research before booking a tour for Saona island and ask alot of questions regarding the size of the group you will be with. I would like to give it a minus 1 star if I could.
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your honest comments about the logistics, waiting times, group size, and the overall flow of the day. Saona is a beautiful destination, but we understand that long transfers, crowded areas, and delays at the port can affect the experience, especially during busy days. We also regret that you felt uncomfortable with the beach vendors, photo pricing, and repeated tipping requests. While some of these services are handled independently at the destination, we understand how frustrating this can feel and your feedback is very important to us. We’re glad to hear you found the island and natural park beautiful, and that the food was acceptable, but we sincerely apologize that the rest of the experience did not match what you hoped for. Your comments help us improve and better prepare future guests with clearer expectations about logistics, group size, and what is included.
The trip was very confusing. There was little English translation and confussion. People were sent to the wrong boat causing major confusion and the uneasy feeling of being left. Then at the end the tour guide wanted a tip!! Wouldn't recommend this trip with Indiana Jones!!
Hi there, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. After reviewing your comments, it appears this experience may not have been operated by our company and may have been posted on the wrong listing/profile. We take guest experience very seriously, and what you described (confusing logistics, lack of English guidance, and being directed to the wrong boat) does not reflect our standards. To help you get this addressed with the correct operator, we kindly recommend double-checking the booking confirmation (operator name) and submitting the review under the appropriate listing. If you can share your booking reference via private message, we’ll be happy to confirm whether this was with us and guide you to the right place to report it.
This is a very long day, with as much time spent getting there, as on the excursion. The pickup point was not my resort, but with a quick message through WhatsApp, I was able to have our pickup rearranged. Michael was right on time. After being collected from our resorts on a smaller bus, we transferred to a larger bus at a central meeting point. It's a long time with no bathroom breaks, until you reach a souvenir market for a 20 minute stop. After that its another hour to Bayahibe to get on the speed boat. Persons who are unsteady on their feet will have difficulty boarding the speed boat from the water as waves are pushing and pulling. To get to the catamaran you must also be capable of crossing from the speed boat to the catamaran in the ocean. At times this was quite difficult due to waves Our time at the Natural pool was not as expected. It was more of a sandbar, not far from shore. There were no starfish there, but as we boated away, we saw several below us. The island was beautiful but crowded. The food was okay and drinks nothing special. Some people had a good time dancing on the catamaran trip back, while others just took in the views. On the way back, too much time was spent transferring passengers to other busses, based on where their resorts were. We were gone from 7am to 7pm. I would have enjoyed it more if I was staying at a resort in Bayahibe and not Punta Cana. Our driver and guide Mama Geris were both excellent.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and for choosing our Saona Island Day Trip. We’re very happy to know that with a quick WhatsApp message we were able to adjust your pick-up smoothly, and that Michael was punctual and attentive. We also truly appreciate your kind words about your driver and your guide, Mama Geris — we’ll make sure to share your compliments with them. Our team always prioritizes organization, safety, and guest support, especially during boat boarding and transfers, and we’re glad you noticed the effort our staff puts into assisting guests throughout the day. The Natural Pool is a unique natural area, and conditions and marine life sightings can vary, but we always follow responsible practices to protect the environment. We’re delighted you enjoyed the beauty of Saona Island and the atmosphere on the catamaran, whether relaxing with the views or enjoying the music and dancing. Your feedback helps us continue improving every part of the experience.
There were so many things that went poorly. 1. We set the pick up for our hotel, they went to a different hotel and picked us up late. 2. You take a bus to get on another bus to get on a boat to literally get on another boat. 3. The excursion was oversold. Everyone was packed to the brim in every vehicle. 4. We got to the island and they promised a buffet. They ran out of food before we could get thru the line. People were literally fighting over plates and utensils. 5. By the time we got to the island we only had 2 hours to relax before getting on the 2 boats and 2 busses back. 6. The island had People walking around trying to sell you things (also they make a pit stop at a souvenir shop so you can spend more money and have less beach time) and they are persistent and don't leave you alone. The massage therapists kept touching us even after we told them NO. 7. It says all inclusive but the only option was rum and coke. This trip was definitely not what they advertised.
Our experience at Saona Island was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Everything was exceptionally well organized, punctual transportation, friendly staff, and an amazing atmosphere throughout the day. The island itself is pure paradise: crystal-clear water, white sand, palm trees, and a peaceful vibe that makes you disconnect instantly. We had plenty of time to relax, enjoy the beach, and the lunch provided was delicious. The team was always attentive and made sure everything went smoothly. Every stop was better than the last, and the whole excursion truly felt like a VIP experience. There were no issues at all *everything was flawless. Without a doubt, this is one of the best excursions I’ve ever done. I 100% recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable Caribbean experience. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Bad experience in many ways, punctuality, terrible organization, lack of services, I get a very bad experience.
Estimado cliente, Lamentamos sinceramente que su experiencia no haya cumplido con sus expectativas. Siempre nos esforzamos por ofrecer excursiones puntuales, bien organizadas y agradables, por lo que nos entristece saber que en esta ocasión no fue así. Es importante señalar que la Isla Saona es un área natural protegida, no un club privado, por lo que algunos servicios son limitados a propósito para preservar su entorno virgen. Sin embargo, revisaremos cuidadosamente sus comentarios con nuestro equipo para mejorar la organización, la logística del transporte y la atención al cliente. Agradecemos sinceramente su opinión, ya que nos ayuda a seguir mejorando. Esperamos que en una próxima oportunidad nos permita brindarle la experiencia positiva que la mayoría de nuestros visitantes disfrutan y que siempre nos esforzamos por ofrecer.
