All-Inclusive Saona Island Full Day Trip and Catamaran Cruise From Santo Domingo

The Saona Island excursion from Santo Domingo promises an unforgettable day of sun, sand, and adventure. Travelers embark on a thrilling speedboat ride to reach the pristine shores of this natural paradise, where they can bask in the island’s serene beauty, indulge in a mouthwatering barbecue lunch, and sip on refreshing drinks from an open bar. With ample time to explore the island’s lush landscapes and crystal-clear waters, this all-inclusive day trip offers a unique opportunity to take in the rich cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic. But what truly sets this experience apart is the chance to witness the island’s incredible diversity and uncover the secrets that lie within its captivating terrain.

This experience made our list of the 19 Best Full-Day Tours In Dominican Republic.

About Your Stay

• An all-inclusive day trip from Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, or Juan Dolio that explores the natural beauty of Saona Island, part of the East National Park.
• Includes hotel pickup, transportation by speed boat and catamaran, buffet lunch, open bar, and access to Saona Island’s pristine beaches, vegetation, and culture.
• Offers activities such as sunbathing, beach relaxation, and volleyball, with a personalized experience for up to 15 participants.
• Feedback indicates a need for improvement in logistics and service, with mixed reviews regarding wait times, food quality, and transportation issues.
• The journey includes a 1-hour speed boat ride to Bayahibe Beach, 3-4 hours of free time on Saona Island, and a 2-hour boat ride and drive back to the original meeting point.

Overview of the Trip

The Saona Island Full Day Trip is an all-inclusive excursion that allows travelers to explore the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic.

During this full-day adventure, guests will be picked up from their hotels in Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, or Juan Dolio and transported to the meeting point at Parque Colon.

From there, they’ll board a speed boat and catamaran to cruise to the stunning Saona Island.

Once on the island, visitors can enjoy activities like sunbathing, beach relaxation, and volleyball.

Lunch, featuring BBQ, salad, and typical Dominican cuisine, is provided, as well as an open bar with beer, rum, and soft drinks.

After the day’s activities, guests will be driven back to the original meeting point.

Inclusions and Exclusions

This all-inclusive Saona Island full-day trip includes a comprehensive suite of services and amenities. Travelers are provided with hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation via speed boat and catamaran, a buffet lunch featuring BBQ, salad, and typical Dominican cuisine, and an open bar with beer, rum, and soft drinks. The admission ticket to the East National Park is also included, as are all applicable fees and taxes.

Included	Not Included	Additional Information
Hotel pickup and drop-off	Gratuities	Confirmation received at booking
Speed boat and catamaran transport	Personal expenses	Not wheelchair accessible
Buffet lunch and open bar	Travel insurance	Infants must sit on laps

Meeting and Drop-off Details

The meeting point for this Saona Island full-day trip is C. El Conde 103, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic, located in front of Jalao Restaurant in Parque Colon.

Travelers will depart from this central location and be transported to Bayahibe Beach via speed boat and catamaran.

After a day of exploring Saona Island, the tour will return to the original meeting point at the end of the excursion.

The entire trip, including hotel pickup and drop-off for those staying in Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, or Juan Dolio, is covered in the all-inclusive package.

With a maximum of 15 participants, this guided tour offers a personalized experience exploring the natural beauty of Saona Island.

Highlights of the Itinerary

Cruising from Santo Domingo, travelers first stop at Bayahibe Beach for a refreshing swim in the shallow waters. After, they’re transported to the stunning Saona Island, where they can soak up the sun, relax on the beach, or engage in a friendly game of volleyball. A delectable buffet lunch featuring BBQ, salad, and typical Dominican fare is provided, accompanied by an open bar serving beer, rum, and soft drinks. The excursion also includes admission to the East National Park, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the island’s natural beauty. Finally, the return boat ride to Bayahibe Beach and the drive back to Santo Domingo conclude this unforgettable day.

Activity	Duration	Description
Cruise to Bayahibe Beach	1 hour	Stop for swimming in shallow waters
Free Time on Saona Island	3-4 hours	Sunbathing, beach relaxation, volleyball
Buffet Lunch	1 hour	BBQ, salad, Dominican cuisine, open bar
East National Park Admission	Included	Explore the island’s natural wonders
Return Boat Ride and Drive	2 hours	Back to the original meeting point

Additional Information

Confirmed at the time of booking, travelers can expect seamless transportation, with hotel pickup and drop-off services provided for those staying in Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, and Juan Dolio.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, infants can join by sitting on laps. Most travelers can participate in the activities.

With a total of 6 reviews and an average rating of 2.5 stars (no 5-star ratings), this full-day excursion to Saona Island provides an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the destination, though the overall guest satisfaction may be mixed based on the available feedback.

Traveler Reviews

Turning to the Traveler Reviews, it’s clear that guests have provided a mix of feedback on this Saona Island excursion. While some were left disappointed, others seemed to enjoy the experience. A closer look at the reviews reveals the following breakdown:

Ratings	Number of Reviews
5 stars	0
4 stars	0
3 stars	1
2 stars	2
1 star	3

The main criticisms appear to be around long wait times, subpar food quality, and issues with transportation. However, some guests did praise the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to relax on the island. The reviews suggest a need for the tour operator to address certain logistical and service concerns to improve the overall customer experience.

Getting to Saona Island

To reach Saona Island, travelers embark on a journey that begins with a speed boat ride from Bayahibe Beach. The boat transports guests across the crystal-clear waters, offering stunning views of the Caribbean coastline.

Upon arrival at Saona Island, part of the East National Park, visitors disembark and have the opportunity to explore the island’s pristine beaches, lush vegetation, and vibrant local culture.

After enjoying free time on the island, the return journey includes a catamaran cruise back to Bayahibe Beach, providing a relaxing conclusion to the day’s adventure.

Throughout the excursion, travelers are treated to a delectable buffet lunch and an open bar, making it a truly all-inclusive experience.

Booking Your Stay

The Saona Island Full Day Trip and Catamaran Cruise from Santo Domingo offers an unforgettable experience exploring the Dominican Republic’s stunning beauty. With hotel pickup, speed boat ride, beach relaxation, BBQ lunch, open bar, and more, this all-inclusive excursion promises a delightful day immersed in the vibrant culture and picturesque scenery of the East National Park. Traveler reviews consistently praise the trip’s seamless organization, beautiful settings, and exceptional value, making it a must-do activity for visitors to the Dominican Republic.