Some of them have even been married in some of its beautiful chapels and amphitheaters. Its a part of the Cotubanam National Park and a sanctuary to unique species of birds and sea creatures. Isla Saona (or in English Saona Island) is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in the Dominican Republic. What can be better than a big plate of fresh seafood after a day full of adventure? Your email address will not be published. The Wall, is a slope that plunges to 100 meters deep and where a great variety of marine life proliferates. You can get to Saona Island from Punta Cana or Bayahibe. . Max. Caribbean cruise ships used to call at Catalina pre-Covid. Beach and natural pool were beautiful, no seaweed problem there at all. Situated 10km from the cruise port and in front of Caleta Beach stated above, Catalina is a tiny uninhabited island consisting of 3.7 square miles. Of the 539 species found in the park, the small island of 110 km2 is home to most of them. Saona Island's beaches are more scenic and overall it is a more popular experience and for a reason! Shaded areas, comfortable lounge seats. This is the Caribbean Sea folks. At 17:00 it will be time to return by boat, and finally we will take you back to your hotel. Since 24 years I have been living and working together with my better half on the beautiful sun-drenched island called La . Hotel Bocaino. Has anyone used Passion Paradise Adventures?? Where Is Isla Saona Located? Saona Island is located just off the coast of Punta Cana and Bayahibe and you can expect the quintessential Caribbean weather: warm, sunny, and simply beautiful! The scenery is spectacular, but in addition, Saona Island has permanent population centers, something that is very interesting for tourists. to learn more about private tours to Saona Island that are tailored to your preferences! Each one offers different options, so it is up to you to decide which experience you choose. All of this is included in your private catamaran excursion to Saona Island for up to 15 people (just lunch and the national park fee is extra in case youd like to book it). There is currently a push to go back to this original name for Isla Saona. In case youre looking for some other Saona Island private tours among them some with food, drinks and transfers included there are plenty of options for groups of up to 6 people. But why not consider a private tour (from Punta Cana or elsewhere) and setting your own itinerary? What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? Excellent choice highly recommended! Visit the Tiki Bar, dance merengue, visit the Tiki Bar, play volleyball, visit the Tiki Bar, walk the beach, visit the Tiki Bar, hit the buffet. Although it is located off the coast of the province of La Altagracia, it is administratively part of the province of La Romana. They have beaches worthy of a picture postcard, kilometers of sandy beach surrounded by palm trees and bathed by turquoise waters in a protected natural park. For more information about both islands, check out my comprehensive Isla Catalina and Isla Saona guide. In between all of this, youll enjoy a simple but tasty Dominican lunch and, of course, a lot of rum. . With a private tour, you can have a more exclusive experience. If you need a transfer from Punta Cana, they can organize it as well. The island measures about 9.6 . Do you remember the gorgeous Bounty Chocolate commercials that showed off a deserted island with a gorgeous white sand beach and turquoise waters? The island is also part of a Protected Natural Park of the East. And the Cuba Libres flowed freely at the Natural Pool after:D. But highly recommend Seavis for the OP, they arrange the taxi and are just a top-notch outfit. Dominican Republic ItineraryDominican Republic Road TripIsla Saona ExcursionSanto Domingo AirbnbsSanto Domingo Airport TransfersSanto Domingo Things-to-do, HomeNewest PostsAbout MeTravel CoachingPrivacy Policy. Isla Saona (or in English Saona Island) is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in the Dominican Republic. Isla Saona offers more things-to-see and more spectacular spots. Instead of being stuck on a large boat with a crowd of other tourists from different countries, you will be traveling on your own private boat to and from the island. 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. If you want to snorkel, Catalina island has better snorkeling. Are you looking for a littleadventure? That was easy! Isla Catalina, also called Isla Ikiita (also called by local indigenous people like Toeya) is an island in the Caribbean Sea just a few kilometers southeast of Isla La Espaola south of the province of La Romana. Explore our exciting land and sea activities & adventures, hotel packages, and other special offers. And the best of all is that you will practically only have to leave your hotel room, as we will pick you up to take you to La Romana , and then go by catamaran to these dive sites. Catalina Island not only for divers but also for snorkeling is a wonderful vacation experience. Round Trip. Breakfast was a bun and a drink. the best reefs are there.the island itself is not that great and the beach at your hotel is probably better. There is an extensive and diverse coral reef system around Saona Island and you can even find mysterious shipwrecks! Despite those hordes, it is a beautiful place (I couldnt believe it before I was there for the first time). We're talking about 110 sq kilometers. This is not to say that there's not big boats going to Catalina. 60 guests. For groups of 10 or more, please contact us directly. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see. . We use cookies to improve your experience and to analyze the use of our website. Have not read reports of seaweed at these locations but it has been a huge issue throughout the Carib this year. Furthermore, there are some companies which are taking the hygienic protocol not too seriously. If the trip is cancelled with less than 14 days notice (for reasons excluding storms/unsafe weather conditions), the full deposit will be transferred to Boat Owner. With us, with the help of professional guides, you will be able to dive in some of the best spots in the Dominican Republic. Click. When traveling with up to 15 people, there are also other options available you can book online. (Click below to navigate) Starfish proliferate there, which are one of the main attractions for tourists. Tours to Isla Catalina are offering a relaxed cruise and have a snorkeling stop included. Explore our exciting land and seaactivities & adventures, hotel packages, and otherspecial offers. The conventional way to visit Saona Island is to go on an excursion on a big boat with a crowd of people you do not know and a mediocre buffet lunch. Our private boat tours let you have the experience of your dreams! Muchas gracias Antonio por tu amable comentario! If you are interested in group tours and regular excursions, please check this article for Saona Island and this one for Catalina Island.Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? Very helpful, glad to hear about the recent experiences! Food good, excellent staff for pro excursions. Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? Catalina is more recommended if you are in snorkeling and scuba diving. In case you just have 2 minutes and want to find the best Saona Island private tour immediately, check out the following table. You can get a message on a gorgeous white sand beach under the swaying palm trees with a pina colada by your side and feel yourself again. Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. As indicated at the beginning of this article, Isla Catalina is less visited than Isla Saona thats also why there are fewer companies for private tours. For lunch, you dont have to line up with 30 or more unknown people. At the island, you have plenty of time to enjoy your private lunch, the beautiful beach and refreshing drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. You may also be interested in these articles, Difference between Saona and Catalina Islands, Hidden treasures of the Dominican Republic. Click, What Is Better: Isla Saona vs. Isla Catalina. When staying in Punta Cana, there are tons of group tours to book, but what should you do if you are looking for a private excursion to Isla Saona or Isla Catalina? If you are traveling with a large family or a group of friends, the prices of a private tour can be even more affordable than if booked individually. The best private excursion I can recommend for Isla Catalina is this private boat tour*. Enjoy a nice plate of lobster with local rice and a. However, tours are sometimes cheaper than you might think, hence it is worth having a closer look at Catalina Island and Saona Island private tours. Usually, on those big group tours, there is not much that can be done if you are not satisfied. Wondering if anyone has been to either or both of these islands as I'm trying to choose which option to decide upon. If you are seriously interested in private excursions to Isla Saona, you might ask now about the price tag they are coming with. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You dont have any strangers on the boat. Be the first to receive special offers, event announcements, exciting tour updates, and so much more when you . Ask Kanta M about Saona Island Paradise From Punta Cana. Find out in this article what other advantages you have on Saona Island and Catalina Island when booking a private tour. Hotels Pick-up. If you want to snorkel, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As there are just your people on the boat, you can decide how long you want to stay or if you want to skip a stop completely. Maximum for 40 people on board. Saona Island is located southeast of the Dominican Republic. We hope! On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. It is part of the National Park Cotubanam (formerly called Parque Nacional del Este). Isla Saona is generally reached by boat from Bayahibe. So, now you are wondering: Where is Saona Island?. Furthermore, you get a customized itinerary and the full personal attention from a company rated No. Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! Started June 21, 2021, By In them we can spend the day in paradise. The weather is still great and there are fewer crowds,which means it's time to plan your next vacation! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Our Bahamas private yacht charter does not follow a cruise ship itinerary. Saona Island is a must if you come to spend your vacation in the Dominican Republic and its popularity is well deserved. It is recognized as one of the best diving / snorkeling spots in the Dominican Republic and even the Caribbean and it is not surprising due to its seabed full of corals, sea sponges and tropical fish. Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. Especially when you are traveling with 16 people or more, I am happy to get you in touch with the best companies or give you personal recommendations on your tour. It is the second largest island after Saona Island in Dominican Republic and is well loved for its spectacular diving sites. This is why we are sharing this Complete Guide to Saona Island with you. Catalina Island tour, snorkeling, paddle boarding , kayak on a beach with breakfast and lunch. And dont forget to set some time aside to search for the gorgeous starfishes that are abound there! This excursion should be preferred if you only want to visit some of the must-see sights of Saona Island. This is by far the most elegant private tour to Isla Saona a full cruising-style catamaran exclusively for your group*. If this sounds perfect to you, then check out the best Saona Island tour offers here* or continue reading my Isla Saona Guide. Just check out some of the photos here or in my comprehensive guide about Isla Saona. MP3 / MOBILE MUSIC plugin. Before we are delving into the private excursions to Isla Saona (and Isla Catalina), lets have a look first at Isla Catalina, which can easily be regarded as the little sister of Isla Saona. During the navigation to Saona, you will enjoy an incomparable landscape, observing the beauty of the Cotubanam Natural Park (also known as Parque Nacional del Este), full of beaches, palm trees and mangroves. There, around the coral reef, we can see all kinds of fish of different colors. Sea water has healing properties. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. Some of them are: Those are just a few of the advantages when booking a private excursion to Saona Island and Catalina Island. The ride from Bayahibe to Catalina by boat takes about 25 min. Mainly, tourists who come to Catalina Island do so for two reasons: snorkeling and diving. Hence, if you are concerned about Covid-19 in Punta Cana, but still would like to enjoy an easy and worry-free holiday, private excursions are the best choice for you. The cruise to the island epitomizes the genuine Caribbean holiday feeling. They all pretty much go to all the same stops. . Hotels Pick-up. CC Help Jenn Book Online! The indegineous Taino people, the native populations of the Dominican Republic, occupied Saona Island before Christopher Columbuss arrival in 1494. Although very similar, they also have some differences between them. Interesting Facts Saona Island Catamaran Tour 1 Bus Tours from $75.00 $68.25 per adult Saona Blue Paradise from Punta Cana 7 Lunch Cruises from $104.00 per adult Saona Island Full-Day Tour from Punta Cana 19 Bus Tours from $95.00 per adult All-Inclusive Saona Island Tour from Punta Cana (Full Day) Full-day Tours from $85.00 per adult Punta Cana AirbnbsPunta Cana Airport TransfersPunta Cana All-Inclusive ResortsPunta Cana BeachesPunta Cana Car Rental You may be very lucky and see a family of dolphins, a turtle, a whale or even a manatee Some of these species are in danger of extinction, so it will not be easy for you to find them, but not impossible, so be attentive. The crowds (which are currently not present due to Covid-19) dont matter that much if you have your own tour anyway. We only did Catalina, the food was great, beach massage a must, but getting a chair in the shade was tough! Check out the following options for some additional Isla Saona private tours for up to 10, sometimes even 12 people. Snorkeling at Saona is nothing special. It has an approximate area of 9.6 square kilometers and is uninhabited. They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. It's an All-inclusive, Full-Day, outing and you need some time away from your Punta Cana resort. The natural pool is so stunning it's not really fair. It is a Mediterranean village located on the banks of the Chavon River, also known as the City of Artists. In case the proposed option is not to your liking, there are plenty of other yachts you can charter. Save. And when you find yourself in its crystalline waters, you must remember that you are in one of the most important ecological reserves of the Dominican Republic. And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. Los Flamencos Aparthotel. And even the price seems steep at first glance, if you break it down to 15 people, it is just a bit more than 100 US per person a real bargain for a private full-day catamaran cruise! Go on the website and if you cant find exactly what you are looking for, call Oscar and he will set you up. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g663484-d1554333-Reviews-SeavisTours-Bayahibe_La_Altagracia_Province_Dominican_Republic.html. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. In its interior was found Captain Kidd's Cannon, considered the only pirate cannon found in the Caribbean. Afterwards, we will head to our open buffet for lunch on the island, where you will also be able to explore its exquisite white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees and jungle. I'm a little nervous because they are way down the list on TA, but they do have decent reviews and have been responsive via email. That's why today we want you to know the best of each one, so you can decide which one you want to visit on your next vacation in Punta Cana. Transfer and lunch are optional, hence I recommend to make proper arrangements with the organizer of the tour before so that they exactly know what you wish for your private excursion to Saona Island. All Rights Reserved. First of all, we show you our classic excursion to Saona Island. All the information I send you are crafted with love and passion and are coming with a money-back guarantee. And what about water temp? . The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. We have used Seavis Tours for Saona Island and Pro Excursions for Catalina and would highly recommend both of these, they're both located in Bayahibe. ), I'm thinking of going to Catalina Island instead using Passion Paradise Adventures. We traveled to the natural pool which is a beautiful Sandbar and were able to swim privately. It just depends on what you are looking for. Where to begin to describe one of the most beautiful places in the Dominican Republic. This route also starts at 7 am at your hotel, then you will go by catamaran from La Romana to Catalina Island. If you cancel the booking for any reason up to 14 days before the trip date, we will refund the deposit to you. So, if we like snorkeling, Saona is not the best for this? and share your adventures with friends and family. On the way to Isla Saona, theres a gorgeous natural pool, a large area with waist-deep shallow and crystal clear water. If this option doesnt suit you, you can check out the following private excursions to Isla Catalina. Enjoy the National Park of the East in Dominican Republic, the beautiful Saona Island or Catalina . Refrigerator. It is about an hour from most all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana to where the boat leaves. Saona Island then remained uninhabited for a long period of time. However, approximately three decades after Columbuss first visit and the Spanish conquest, the Taino population of the Dominican Republic including the Saona Island was diminished by old world diseases, such as smallpox, and brutal work conditions established by the colonizers. Few tourists actually visit Mano Juan when they come to Saona Island, so incorporating a visit to this fishing village into your Isla Saona itinerary will give you a chance to experience this tranquil tropical island off the beaten track! This is where you can relax in shallow waters and search for starfish. And its not surprising! Children under 3 are FREE! In the 1940s, Rafael Trujillo, a Dominican dictator, established the small village of Mano Juan and used Saona Island as a place of exile for political objectors. $ 120 $ 98 6 - 8 Hours Car SALE 27 Waterfalls Buggies Tour Puerto Plata $ 95 $ 65 3 - 4 Hours buggies SALE 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. The yacht features a kitchen, a covered seating area and sufficient space outside to lounge and to enjoy the sun. He was able to arrange a private boat at a very good cost to pick up my girlfriend and I right next to our resort on the beach. Isla Saona: Saona Info | Book it*Dune buggy and ATV excursion: Buggy Info | Book it*Punta Cana Ziplining: Zipline Info | Book it*Party boat & booze cruise: Party Boat Info | Book it*Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Info | Book it*Los Haitises National Park: Los Haitises Info | Book it* Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Info | Book it*Saman (Salto El Limn & Cayo Levantado): Saman Info | Book it*Helicopter & airplane tours: Helicopter Info | Book it*Whale watching (Jan-Mar only): Whale watching Info | Book it*Looking for more inspiration? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Or, if youre feeling adventurous, go scuba diving or snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea to see lots of beautiful fish and interesting sea creatures! The first stop will be Catalina Wall. It is also an exceptionally good place to fish, where you can find specimens of guatapan, horse mackerel, king mackerel, and other types of temperate-water fish. As if that were not enough, after visiting this iconic place you can snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Catalina Island, putting the finishing touch to a perfect day. Most Saona Island tours with big boats and crowds wont make a snorkeling stop, but Saona can offer an amazing snorkeling experience since it is a part of a large national park, Cotubanam, and a sanctuary to a large number of different species. Its transparent waters in beaches such as the East, West and North, make putting on your goggles and diving an experience. saona island All inclusive: Marine transport: motomaran and catamaran with party and entertainment program. There were about 20 of us, and only two divers. There is one more geographic curiosity about Saona. However, in this modality, you will have the opportunity to visit parts of the island such as the Canto de la Playa or the Flamingos beach. Punta Cana Whale Watching You will be limited in time and your itinerary will be determined by your tour guide. In the afternoon, you head back to your starting point. However, the most famous of the island are its dive sites. DIVING + CATALINA ISLAND . This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. Day Trip Saona Island - Quetzal boat; Day Trip Saona Island - Small group; Day Trip Catalina Island; Whale watching . RNC: 1-31-25887-5 Tel: +1 829-208-7172 Email: info@saona.fun www.saona.fun Copyright Schau Ma Mal All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Saona Island (Isla Saona) Tours 77 Tours & Activities 4WD Tours 269 Tours & Activities Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises 833 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Reserve Now & Pay Later Saona Island Beach Day 39 Reviews Cap Cana, Caribbean Save to Wishlist From $70.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Isla Saona and Isla Catalina are two of the most popular excursions when staying in Punta Cana. Comfortable and safe transfer from your hotel to Bayahibe. Whala!Bayahibe It's up to you whether you want to discover one of the islands or, if you have enough time, venture to know the two little jewels of the Dominican Republic. All itineraries are custom designed by the Captain in collaboration with you. The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price:5$ USD per person. Seriously, white sand AND palm trees? If you ever get hot during your Saona Island trip, simply go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or drink a cold, The village of Mano Juan is still there and is one of the two charming fishing villages on Isla Saona, along with a village called Catuano. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019 - 2023 Punta Cana Hero. We were back by 5 PM and everything went great. For a head-to-head comparison of Isla Catalina vs Isla Saona, you can also use the following table.