The Saona Island tour offers a comprehensive and all-inclusive experience for those seeking to explore the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. Operated by Turcana Travel, this full-day excursion takes visitors on a captivating journey, combining a scenic catamaran sail, a thrilling speedboat ride, and ample opportunities to swim, relax, and indulge in local cuisine and beverages. With a focus on providing exceptional customer service, the tour’s professional guides ensure that guests make the most of their time on the island, seeing the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. While the tour’s popularity is well-deserved, the true allure lies in the unique blend of activities and the chance to create lasting memories in this tropical paradise.
About Your Stay
- The Saona Island tour by Turcana Travel is a full-day experience that includes a Dominican-style lunch, alcoholic beverages, and professional tour guide.
- Roundtrip transportation, catamaran sailing, speedboat ride, and natural swimming are among the key inclusions in the tour.
- The tour offers a 2-hour layover on Saona Island for swimming and relaxation, as well as a visit to the "sea-star pool".
- Pricing for the tour starts at $79.00 per person, with a maximum capacity of 80 travelers and various pickup locations or a direct meeting point.
- Guests have the option to purchase premium drinks (beer, wine) and photo sessions during the tour, in addition to the included offerings.
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Contents
- About Your Stay
- Tour Overview
- Meeting and Pickup
- Tour Experience
- Guest Feedback
- Operator Response
- Tour Inclusions
- Itinerary Highlights
- Planning Your Visit
- Questions About Your Stay
- Is There a Bathroom on the Catamaran or Saona Island?
- Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
- What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?
- Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?
- Is There an Option to Extend My Stay on Saona Island?
- Booking Your Stay
- Our Top Picks in Dominican Republic
- More Tours in Dominican Republic
- More Tour Reviews in Dominican Republic
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Dominican Republic we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
The full-day Saona Island Tour by Turcana Travel in the Dominican Republic covers a range of activities.
It includes a Dominican-style lunch, alcoholic beverages, a professional tour guide, roundtrip transportation, catamaran sailing, a speedboat ride, and natural swimming.
Travelers can also expect to receive souvenirs.
The tour has a maximum capacity of 80 travelers, and the price starts from $79.00 per person.
Importantly, the tour allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience.
This comprehensive tour offers a diverse range of inclusions to ensure an immersive and memorable island experience for all participants.
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Meeting and Pickup
Guests can select from various pickup options or head directly to the meeting location at Barceló Bávaro Palace in Punta Cana.
The tour starts promptly at 07:30 AM, with the experience ending back at the meeting point.
Pickup options include:
- Convenient hotel pickup from select locations in Punta Cana.
- Meeting the group directly at the Barceló Bávaro Palace.
- Requesting a custom pickup point, subject to availability.
- Arranging personal transportation to the meeting location.
The tour provides roundtrip transportation, ensuring a seamless start and end to the Saona Island adventure.
Tour Experience
The tour commences with a 90-minute ride to Bayahibe, where guests board a speedboat that whisks them off to a waiting catamaran. Onboard, they’ll enjoy a leisurely sail to the stunning Saona Island, where they’ll have a two-hour layover to swim, relax on the beach, and explore the natural beauty. The tour also includes a visit to a "sea-star pool," where guests can observe the marine creatures up close for 15 minutes.
| Included | Cost | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Dominican Lunch | Included | Premium Drinks (Beer, Wine) |
| Alcoholic Beverages | Included | Photo Sessions |
| Professional Tour Guide | Included | – |
| Roundtrip Transportation | Included | – |
The tour experience provides a well-rounded introduction to the natural wonders of Saona Island, with ample opportunities for relaxation, exploration, and culture.
Guest Feedback
Although the tour has received an overall rating of 3.5 stars from 6 reviews, guests have provided a mix of positive and critical feedback.
Criticism includes issues with transportation, overcrowding, and miscommunication regarding inclusions.
However, positive remarks praise the beauty of Saona Island and the enjoyable beach experience.
The operator has responded with clarifications on tour descriptions and inclusions, emphasizing the optional nature of photo sessions and distinguishing between included and additional purchases.
They’ve also apologized for any delays and assured a different experience for most participants.
- Guests criticized transportation issues and overcrowding.
- Miscommunication regarding inclusions was another point of concern.
- Positive feedback highlighted the beauty of Saona Island and the beach experience.
- The operator provided clarifications and assurances for a better experience.
Operator Response
The operator has responded to the guest feedback by providing clarifications on the tour descriptions and inclusions.
They’ve emphasized that photo sessions during the tour are optional, and there’s a clear distinction between what’s included in the package and what requires additional purchases, such as premium drinks like beer and wine.
The operator has also apologized for any delays experienced by some participants and assured that most guests have a different and more positive experience.
The operator’s response aims to address the criticisms raised and provide a better understanding of the tour’s offerings and expectations.
Tour Inclusions
What does the Saona Island Tour by Turcana Travel include? The tour provides a full-day experience with several key offerings.
These include:
- A typical Dominican lunch and alcoholic beverages.
- The services of a professional tour guide.
- Roundtrip transportation and a catamaran sailing.
- A speedboat ride, natural swimming, and souvenir shopping.
The tour’s maximum capacity is 80 travelers, and the price starts at $79.00 per person.
Guests can choose from various pickup locations or head directly to the meeting point at the Barceló Bávaro Palace in Punta Cana. The tour starts at 7:30 AM and ends back at the original meeting location.
Itinerary Highlights
The Saona Island Tour by Turcana Travel offers an engaging itinerary filled with a variety of activities.
Guests will embark on a 90-minute ride to the coastal town of Bayahibe, where they’ll board a speedboat to reach the picturesque Saona Island.
Once there, travelers can enjoy a two-hour layover to swim in the crystal-clear waters and relax on the idyllic beach.
The tour also includes a visit to a "sea-star pool," allowing guests to interact with the captivating starfish.
Throughout the experience, travelers will indulge in authentic Dominican cuisine and have the opportunity to purchase premium beverages, like beer and wine, at an additional cost.
Planning Your Visit
When planning your visit to Saona Island, guests can select their preferred pickup location or head directly to the meeting point at the Barceló Bávaro Palace in Punta Cana.
The tour starts promptly at 7:30 AM and includes:
- A 90-minute ride to Bayahibe.
- A speedboat transfer to the catamaran.
- A 2-hour layover on Saona Island for swimming and beach relaxation.
- A 15-minute visit to a "sea-star pool".
The tour experience includes a typical Dominican lunch and alcoholic beverages, with additional costs for premium drinks like beer and wine.
Guests can also expect professional tour guidance and roundtrip transportation throughout the day.
Questions About Your Stay
Is There a Bathroom on the Catamaran or Saona Island?
Based on the information provided, the tour itinerary includes a visit to Saona Island but does not explicitly mention the availability of bathroom facilities on the catamaran or the island. The details regarding restroom access are not specified.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
Travelers can generally bring their own food and drinks on the Saona Island tour. However, the tour includes a typical Dominican lunch and some alcoholic beverages, so bringing additional items may not be necessary.
What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?
The tour doesn’t have a strict dress code, but visitors are advised to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing and swimwear suitable for water activities. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for walking around the island. Bringing a change of clothes is also advisable.
Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?
The tour does not appear to have any specific age restrictions or requirements. It is suitable for travelers of all ages, though young children may require parental supervision during the activities and transportation.
Is There an Option to Extend My Stay on Saona Island?
The tour offers a 2-hour layover on Saona Island, but there’s no option to extend one’s stay. Guests must return to the meeting point at the scheduled end time of the tour.
Full-Day Saona Island Tours All Inclusive
“So so so beautiful. I would book this tour again in a heartbeat. The tour guide made it feel like we were all family. LOVE LOVE LOVE. You need to b…”
Booking Your Stay
The Full-Day Saona Island Tour by Turcana Travel offers an exceptional all-inclusive experience. Travelers can enjoy roundtrip transportation, catamaran sailing, and a speedboat ride to the stunning Saona Island, where they’ll savor a Dominican-style lunch and alcoholic beverages while exploring the island’s breathtaking beauty under the guidance of a professional tour guide. With a flexible pickup schedule and a maximum capacity of 80 travelers, this tour promises an unforgettable day of swimming, relaxation, and exploration in paradise.
