Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic trip ideas

Saona Island Excursion by Catamaran and Speedboat

Name: Saona Island Excursion by Catamaran and Speedboat
Brand: Sol Cana Tours
SKU: 17571P1
Price: 95.00 USD
Rating: 3.5 (189 reviews)

Dominican Republic

10 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Damajagua The 7 waterfalls excursion - Amber Cove & Taino bay

299

from $50.00

Special Offer

Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Parasailing

from $100.00

$125.00 $25.00 savings

Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Saona Island: Full-day Sailing Tour - Small Group

from $149.00

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Visit Saona Paradise Island via speedboat or catamaran during this full-day excursion from Punta Cana. Explore the protected natural park on the island after arriving there on a comfortable catamaran with an open bar. Eat a buffet-style barbecue lunch, then return to Punta Cana on a speedboat, pausing for a stop at a natural swimming hole filled with starfish. Round-trip transportation from Punta Cana hotels is included.

Visit Saona Island onboard a catamaran, then return by speedboat
Eat a traditional Dominican-style barbecue lunch and enjoy access to an open bar
Learn about the island from an informative, friendly and professional guide
Stop at a stunning natural pool to relax and cool off

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by catamaran or speedboat
Air-conditioned vehicle
Buffet lunch with BBQ; vegetarian option available
Drinks (local rum, beer, soft drinks, water)

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
DVD (available to purchase)
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Isabella Steak & Bistro
BlueMall Puntacana, 23000, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic
if you dont need to be picked up from any especific location, and you want to get to our meeting point, you can go directly to Blue Mall Plaza, in ftront ou Punta Cana Airport

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Between 7:00 am and 7:30 am; Pickup time varies based on hotel location.

What To Expect

After you’ve been collected from your hotel or met your guide and group at the meeting point, you’ll board a catamaran destined for the unspoiled Saona Island.

Once you arrive at the island paradise, you’ll be able to choose how you spend the day; relax on loungers, swim in the warm water and look for starfish on the ocean floor; enjoy dance lessons; or try your hand at volleyball.

Before returning to the mainland, you’ll enjoy a barbecue, buffet-style lunch featuring fresh fish.

Bayahibe

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Saona Island

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Sol Cana Tours

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
May be operated by a multilingual guide
Not wheelchair accessible

Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Angela_M

We had such a great time with Jack Sparrow! We had a blast on the catamaran and the island was beautiful. I just wish we had more time on Saona Island itself, it was gorgeous. And the snorkeling was a good touch to end the trip. I highly recommend this excursion and make sure you get Sparrow!

Reviews

3.5

189 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 189 reviews

A joke

Wayne_M, Jan 2023

so the only reason we booked this was because of the reviews which were very good. so was very surprised when we were at the hotel lobby meeting point 7:30am as requested. 10,20,30 minz go by no sign of driver and no replies on the app I had to Google the company to get a contact number. only to be told they had a issue with the hotel. I spoke with the hotel and this was not ture infact they were also worried we had been waiting for so long. then was told the driver would be with us in 20 mins after a hour and a half of waiting so by the time he arrived 25 mins later I was annoyed.. no apology from the driver or company just got on with it.. then to top it off on the way to the destination the driver stops off at his HOUSE to pick up medication for depression ( his words) so we spent 10mins doing that. then we spent the rest of the day basically being rushed trough the tour. far from relaxing. spent just over a hour on sanoa Island before being rushed off to head back so literally spent the day travelling. the Island was beautiful. I then tried to get a partial refund as we spent a decent amount of money only to be told no. lol so best advice book though your hotel will be much more organised.

I would not repeat it like this

Iliuta_B, Aug 2021

The tour is fragmented in many car-boat transfers witch took 10 hours from the 13h that had the entire trip, really exhausting in our opinion. Take money for drinks/food with you, because the first water, in our case, it was received after 4 hours, at the first boat transfer. The imposed time to the natural pool was only 45 min and for Saona only 2h, too less for relaxing and taking photos. The natural pool is nice but Saona is really beautiful. The food was poor but eatable. On the way back we were crowded on a catamaran (~70-80people) with very good animation but the music was very loud and we ended up taking pills for headaches. For people who likes alcohol and parties could be fun, but in my case I would never repeat the experience this way. If the nature is important for you then I strongly recommend to take a private transfer to the harbor and from there, again, a taxy boat in order to spend more time to Saona.

Just Wonderful

Karj, Aug 2021

This excursion was brilliant. My fiancé and I throughly enjoyed ourselves. The best part was it all! Definitely recommended. Thank you!

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you! it was a great pleasure to have you in our excursion. thank you!

Beautiful and relaxing!!

Sara_P, Mar 2021

Excellent from start to end. Our transportation was punctual, professional and very friendly. Speed boat and catamaran ride felt very safe. Saona beach was absolutely beautiful and relaxing. Food was tasty. Guide was funny and made the whole trip a lot more pleasant. Definitely a must when you’re visiting Punta Cana.

TRULY A MUST!!!

Marino_G, Sep 2020

Despite having to wear a mask & practicing distancing our trip was FABULOUS!!! We didn't go on the catamaran I guess it was due to the virus. It entails dancing & a lot of socializing but nevertheless it was spectacular!!!

Excursion Canceled

Stacey_M, Jul 2020

My son and I were super excited about going on this excursion. We got an email the night before that it had been cancel and that I needed to contact Viator to receive a refund.

Worst excursion ever! Stay Away!

Anthony B, Jul 2019

Small boat, old crotchety van, silent host, and no dramamine to be found except for a local shop that charged me $8 a pill. But what else could I do? I was dry heaving the whole trip. Our group only caught two baby mahi mahi. Hardly any interaction with the group and they had the nerve to hit us up at the end for a tip. One other gentleman was sick on the way home, but no water on the van. Thank god I had the sense to bring my own water from the hotel. The most miserable I have ever been. I also had to request they play music, or I would have ridden in silence the whole trip. Pay more money and upgrade to a more VIP experience. You get what you pay for!

Response from Host, Jul 2019

Hi! sorry. apparently this review does not correspond to the Saona Island excursion, but to a fishing trip, which is not offered by our company (Sol Cana Tours)

Borthday Get-a-way!

Angela_M, May 2019

Beautiful

Rodney_K, Sep 2018

Beautiful simply beautiful I cant say enough about this excursion it was awesome and I would do it again

VERY long day!

Sonya B, Jul 2018

The day started at 745 when we were picked up and drove about an hour to a gas station to be transported to another crowded bus which wasnt that big of a deal. Then from there we drove for about another 20 minutes to a rest stop and hung out for 15 minutes which everyone needed a break but everyone was getting a little restless by then. From there about 45 minutes we finally made it to where the boat (which was the catamaran) well once arriving and walking down to the beach we were bombarded with people trying to sell us stuff. A man with iguanas just put them on my son no one asked me or my husband if he could he just did it and once it was over his exact words were

Beautiful adventure!

NICOLE Y T, Jul 2018

We had a great time with and the pirate! Lunch was good and the attention from the tour attendants was superb!

Excursion on May 12, 2018. By far...

Rafael_G, May 2018

Excursion on May 12, 2018. By far the worst excursion I have ever been to. We were picked up from our resort and taken to a gas station to pick up other travelers. We were then taken to the marina where we waited over an hour to board a speedboat. While waiting multiple people asked what we were waiting for and we were always told we were waiting for the guide to pay the taxes for us to board the boat. Once on the boat we were served the cheapest version of Dominican rum I have ever had. The open bar was one of the reasons why we picked this excursion and we were very disappointed. When we asked about having beer instead we where told we had to wait until we got to the island. Once we arrived at the island we were told that beer would not be served until the buffet were ready. We were again disappointed with the food provided. Dominicans are known for flavorful foods and this was mediocre to say the least. The beer served was again the cheapest found in the island Brahma. Everyone knows that Presidente is the national Dominican beer and it was nowhere to be found. For those of the travelers that did have the beer it was only in small amounts as they ran out after a few minutes. When we asked the tour guide about getting more beer he said that they had served all they had and if we had concerns to go online and write a review about it. There was minimal customer service as well. I was truly disappointed in this company and their representatives. They did not take responsibility for being deceitful in their advertisement of this excursion. I would not recommend it or book with them again.

This was my second trip to Punta...

Thomas D, Mar 2018

This was my second trip to Punta Cana. I did this excursion to Saona Island last year. It was the best part of my trip. A beautiful beach and the stop at the sandbar for wading and enjoying rum and cokes is great. However, this company was a bit disorganized in loading us on the buses at the initial meeting point and then loading onto the speedboat at the dock. I thought this could have been handled better. I would certainly recommend this as a day trip when in Punta Cana. There are plenty of companies that offer the trip. Shop around for those with the best reviews.

This was the best trip I've ever...

Peter R, Mar 2018

This was the best trip I've ever done! Max the tour guide was so friendly also all the people on the speedboat and catamaran. I especially enjoyed the snorkelling and the amazing beach. I have stopped telling everyone about this trip

We enjoyed this trip very much...

patrick_m, Feb 2018

We enjoyed this trip very much. We're a little concerned with some of the reviews talking about the long drive there and the cattle herding of people form vehicle to vehicles. Don't worry about it! This is the most efficient way of getting all the people there from many different hotels. Max is great takes care of everone. Highly recommended!

The island was great and we enjoyed...

Belinda G, Feb 2018

The island was great and we enjoyed our trip there on the speed boat. The natural pool was amazing! We wished we had been able to spend more time on the island, but having to take a catamaran back cut down on that time. The catamaran back was a bit full making it a uncomfortable 2.5 hours back.

Operator said would pick us up 30-60...

Athanasios L, Jan 2018

Operator said would pick us up 30-60 mins after 8, they came after 2 hours. On the return they separated all mini buses according to the hotels, on a field next to the highway with no protection from passing by cars ans full of mosquitoes. They put us on wrong bus taking us to the hotel very late.

It was a fun excursion, the...

megantoth, Jan 2018

It was a fun excursion, the Snorkeling we didn't see alot of fish, Our Tour guide was great. Loved the pictures that were taken, wish there was more of a variety of rum...overall great trip!

Pickup is not allowed at most...

Antonio P, Dec 2017

Pickup is not allowed at most resorts. We had to walk to the front gate to be picked up. We booked two excursions with viator. We had to walk to the front gate for both. The hotels are telling people the trip is not secured properly with insurance but they sell the same excursions just charge more. This excursion was amazing and the ocean spectacular. Food not great.....but I didn't go for the food

This trip was just ok as far as...

Christine B, Nov 2017

This trip was just ok as far as location. I guess I expected more out of it. But, this trip excursion is commercialized and everyone wants to do it. They try to maximize the number of people where I think it would be better enjoyed if less people participated. A little deceiving that there are many startfish to be found. But, in reality, there were none. The crew had 2 that they used for photos. The lunch was good. The beach was very nice. I found the crew to be lazy when it came to drinks on the catamaran. They weren't going around to check on everyone or wait on them. In fact, my husband had to ask for a refill on rum and waited in front of the entire crew before they even looked his way and then he helped himself. I found them not to be helpful in boarding and exiting the different boats. The tour manager, Max, did not personalize the trip. You could tell he has done this many times and just goes through the motions. He needs to show some more enthusiasm and personalizing the trip more.