At 17:00 it will be time to return by boat, and finally we will take you back to your hotel. Go on the website and if you cant find exactly what you are looking for, call Oscar and he will set you up. The first stop will be Catalina Wall. We started out being picked up with two other people to catch a bus which took us to this restaurant to be loaded on a catamaran . How to Get to Saona Island? Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? In them we can spend the day in paradise. If youve been wanting to reconnect with your natural side, visiting Isla Saona should be a must-do for your Caribbean vacation! Want to create a unique itinerary for your Saona Island excursion? We hope! 14 From Los Melones: Saona Island Day Trip with Lunch. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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! ATV Samana Adventures ATV Tours & Excursions in Samana Dominican Republic. Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. LEARN MORE . Saona and Catalina Island for only $45 USD per adult and $30 USD per child. Christopher Columbus renamed the island to commemorate his friend Michele de Cuneo, an explorer from the city of Savona in Italy. There is currently a push to go back to this original name for Isla Saona. experience in tourism in the Dominican Republic. : You can define the itinerary. By Check out the following options for some additional Isla Saona private tours for up to 10, sometimes even 12 people. So, we kinda take you to a sandbar, far from the coast with clear, waist deep water. Especially in these unprecedented times, private tours are offering an enormous extra value compared to standard group excursions: safety and health. We are sure that the crystal clear water of this place will not disappoint you. So, now you are wondering: Where is Saona Island?. SHARING IS CARING! It has awning and a cooler with ice ready to go! leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. Since it is a part of the national park, Isla Saona and its waters are home to endangered and rare animal species such as rhinoceros iguana, the gentle manatee, and dolphins that you may not see elsewhere! The best private excursion I can recommend for Isla Catalina is this private boat tour*. Punta Cana AirbnbsPunta Cana Airport TransfersPunta Cana All-Inclusive ResortsPunta Cana BeachesPunta Cana Car Rental Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists don't visit it as often as Saona Island. It is an island in the southeast of the country, dotted with palm-fringed beaches and surrounded by incredibly blue turquoise waters. 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. 1 on Tripadvisor (out of 54 water sports and excursion companies in Bayahibe, the departure port to go to Isla Saona). A few meters away, palm trees and jungle vegetation appear, where we can find endemic fauna and flora of the island. It offers seemingly endless miles of white sand beaches, but some of the most popular Saona Island beaches are Canto de la Playa, Playa Bonita, and Playa del Gato. On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We did have a fair amount of seaweed in July on our Saona tour, but the beach and the food were fine. The island is also part of a Protected Natural Park of the East. Have not read reports of seaweed at these locations but it has been a huge issue throughout the Carib this year. Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email). .. Mano Juan is the bigger village on the island but still has only about 500 residents who dedicate their lives to fishing, making art, and living in tranquilidad (Spanish for tranquility!). The dives at this point are between 20 and 40 meters, only within the reach of the most experienced divers. Want to create a unique itinerary for your. Pirates would wait for Spanish ships to sail through their waters to attack and rob them of their riches. . (mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table). Refrigerator. However, the finishing village of Mano Juan does have a small hotel where you can rent a cheap room for the night. We'll be contacting you shortly with the exact location". However, for the overall experience we'd choose the powerboat excursion with Seavis, great day that! You will be able to request those services while completing your booking process. Plenty in the sun! ATV + El Valle Beach & Waterfalls, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Pedernales, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Snorkeling & Lunch, Birdwatching in Los Haitises National Park, Birdwatching Punta Cana Birding Tours from Punta Cana to Los Haitises National Park, Catalina Island and Snorkeling with Catamaran Party From Punta Cana Half Day Experience. Plus, they have not responded to my reservation request. As if that were not enough, in Catalina there is also the wreck of a ship called Cara Merchant, commanded by Captain Kidd at the end of the 17th century. Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists dont visit it as often as Saona Island. FULL PACK TOURS . They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. 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. Board a small speedboat for the thrilling ride out to the island, including a stop at a natural swimming pool where you can see starfish. Book an excursion or rent a private boat and enjoy the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, Why choose WannaBoats.com to rent a yacht, catamaran or speedboat to go to Saona or Catalina in Dominican Republic, Renting an all inclusive luxury catamaran yacht in the Bahamas can be done easily through WannaBoats.com, 1 or 2 weeks on a luxury catamaran for 6 people in the Bahamas, Rent a boat and explore the Exuma Islands, an essential visit in the Bahamas, The Bahamas recognized as a sustainable destination by the UNWTO, Why choose WannaBoats over other private boat rental websites, WannaBoats.com has been awarded the Travelers Choice badge on Tripadvisor from 2020 to 2022. In between all of this, youll enjoy a simple but tasty Dominican lunch and, of course, a lot of rum. 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. Are you a small group or maybe even just a couple looking in getting away from the huge groups and the crowded Saona excursions? The island is part of the trio of adjacent islands in the southeast of the country along with the Saona and the Catalinita. Although it is located off the coast of the province of La Altagracia, it is administratively part of the province of La Romana. 60 guests. Going on a private boat tour to Saona Island allows you to combine the deserted island atmosphere with the comfort of your own exclusive method of transportation and control over your itinerary. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. You choose the type of boat: sailing catamaran, motor catamaran, yacht or motorboat. If you are seriously interested in private excursions to Isla Saona, you might ask now about the price tag they are coming with. Just check out some of the photos here or in my comprehensive guide about Isla Saona. DESCRIPTION. We were back by 5 PM and everything went great. I assume Carnival because we all rave about the buffet Seavis provided - amazing spread. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I only went to Catalina, but here's something that might make a distance. 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. That was Saona Island! It's an all day excursion with snorkeling and/or diving. Snorkeling at Saona is nothing special. Its transparent waters in beaches such as the East, West and North, make putting on your goggles and diving an experience. This excursion should be preferred if you only want to visit some of the must-see sights of Saona Island. 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 $70.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Whatever request you have, you get their full attention and chances are high that it gets fulfilled. I know it is sometimes boring to read all those articles with all my personal experiences and recommendations. Some of them are: Those are just a few of the advantages when booking a private excursion to Saona Island and Catalina Island. and share your adventures with friends and family. We give you rum and you may find a starfish or two at your feet. Professional Music Equipment. And what about water temp? Saona Island is a beautiful destination to visit during your Punta Cana or Bayahibe vacation. In case the proposed option is not to your liking, there are plenty of other yachts you can charter. If this sounds perfect to you, then check out the best Saona Island tour offers here* or continue reading my Isla Saona Guide. Take a Selfie because ocean water this color is found at few places on earth. Despite those hordes, it is a beautiful place (I couldnt believe it before I was there for the first time). Luxury Yacht Charter from Casa de Campo to Saona or Catalina Casa de Campo Marina, La Romana 22000, Dominican Republic 23 5 Verified Crew Included CLEAN & SAFE 450 US$ ( Per boat ) Private Boat Rental to Saona or Catalina Island Tour Bayahibe, Dominican Republic 12 Verified Crew Included Post a free listing to rent your boat Be the first to receive special offers, event announcements, exciting tour updates, and so much more when you . This is a real island mon! Despues a la llegada al barco habia un chico super amable para recibirnos y explicarnos todo. Let's go there! B&B Villa Luna. With its white sand, turquoise waters, and an abundance of palm trees, it truly looks like a slice of Paradise! However, this is different for private tours, which is why I would lean more towards Isla Saona if I had to choose where to go on a private excursion from Punta Cana with my friends or family. Our most popular Saona excursion is the Saona Crusoe VIP: an adventure per fast speedboat to the most remote and the most beautiful beaches on Saona Island. Punta Cana Currency In the afternoon, you head back to your starting point. Saona Island ( Mano Juan and Canto de la Playa) (+$130.00 USD ), How many Passengers? Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. Seaweed was present around the first snorkel site at the old pier, not over where we were, but the snorkeling is not great there anyway. What can be better than a big plate of fresh seafood after a day full of adventure? The reefs at Saona are considered among the TOP 3 in the country. The Turtle Sanctuary is our other visit in the small town, to get to know these fascinating animals. What's so amazing about Isla Saona? My girlfriend and I were visiting vacationing at dreams La Romana and wanted to take a private excursion to saona island without having to go on the 20+ people boats. A much more affordable dive is that of The Aquarium. . Full Day (8 hours) Boat Rental for 12 passengersmax. Catalina Island tour, snorkeling, paddle boarding , kayak on a beach with breakfast and lunch. It brings you to the most beautiful places of Isla Saona with a private speed boat. Sea water has healing properties. Oh, there's also music, animation and open bar. There is also a Turtle Sanctuary in the village, where you can see both older turtles and hatchlings taking their first steps in the Caribbean Sea. I recommend you to discuss the details with your host/organizer after booking and before the tour. Isla Saona natural pool is the largest natural pool in the world and there are lots of things you can do during your time there, from relaxing in the beautiful waters to dancing merengue on a boat and enjoying some Dominican rum! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112206916', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Catalina island has better snorkeling. Visiting Saona Island is usually a day trip and you will be back in your hotel by the early evening, so there is no need to search for accommodations on Saona Island. Administratively, it also belongs to the province of La Romana, although in this case it forms its own national park called the same as the island. Saona has areas that are contracted by many of the tour operators that do trips there so they have their own little area for each tour group to do their meals and drinks that are included with most trips. Especially when traveling with a large family or small group, the prices are absolutely affordable. 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). 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? Still, let's take a closer look at the exact location of each of these islands. CC Help Jenn Are you ready to escape the crowded beaches of Bavaro or Bayahibe and explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean? . There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. Starfish proliferate there, which are one of the main attractions for tourists. With over 20yrs. Saona has basically two types of excursion; the party trip usually using speedboat one way and catamaran the other (imho speedboat out cat back is best for the party) and our best trip was trimaran both ways , and the eco trip run by Seavis Bayahibe which visits empty beaches and the turtle hatchery at Mano Juan using motor boats. Icebox. Thats not surprising if you see the photos of this exclusive catamaran, which will bring you straight to paradise! The activity starts at your hotel, where we will pick you up to go to our departure point embark in a catamaran to Saona Island. Tourism During Covid Saona island is an island where you have to go to disconnect, to relax after a few days in the busiest tourist areas. At the island, you have plenty of time to enjoy your private lunch, the beautiful beach and refreshing drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Land and Jungle Excursions: And we don't forget the land part of the park. This route also starts at 7 am at your hotel, then you will go by catamaran from La Romana to Catalina Island. So if you want to find accommodation near these two islands, we share with you the following list of hotels near Saona Island and Catalina island proposed by TripAdvisor: BAYAHIBE. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see. Our private half-day or full-day boat tours allow you to escape the crowds for a memorable Saona Island tour to experience this slice of Caribbean paradise on your own terms. 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! and share your adventures with friends and family. It is an island in the southeast of the country, dotted with palm-fringed beaches and surrounded by incredibly blue turquoise waters. Due to the seaweed problem at Saona Island (can anyone confirm this that's been lately? Catalina is sold as a snorkelling trip rather than a party trip - there is a wall on the east side of the island, the beach is on the west side. Saona Island's beaches are more scenic and overall it is a more popular experience and for a reason! 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. 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. The captain is included with the boat rental. Isla Saona also has multiple caves that you can explore, but Saona Island beaches are more popular. However, you can check out the following tour which is one of the best private tours to Isla Catalina. Also, Saona seems to be more of a party. 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. Its a part of the Cotubanam National Park and a sanctuary to unique species of birds and sea creatures. Drinks and Food is not included but can be requested at the time of your reservation for an additional price. Most of the Saona Island excursions have a set amount of stops. There are not as many private tours available for Isla Catalina as for Isla Saona, hence a comprehensive list with different tours and providers doesnt make that much sense. With us, with the help of professional guides, you will be able to dive in some of the best spots in the Dominican Republic. Check out the following widget with some alternative tours. Isla Saona is not connected to the Dominican Republics electricity grid and runs entirely on solar panels! Catalina for Scuba or just lazing, Saona for a BBQ and snorkelling X, Hotels near Altos de Chavon School of Design, Hotels near Altos de Chavon Regional Museum of Archaeology, Hotels near Prestige Car Rentals Services, Hotels near Samana Whale Watching Tour and Excursions. The pool is formed because lots of sand naturally gets accumulated in one area, bringing ocean levels to just a couple of feet and making it feel like a pool! If you dont find the right offer among those private tours and you are looking for other excursions to Isla Saona, feel free to send me an email to puntacanatravelblog (at) gmail (dot) com. You will practically be standing in the middle of the Caribbean SeaHow cool is that?! It is the second largest island after Saona Island in Dominican Republic and is well loved for its spectacular diving sites. Your email address will not be published. For further information, check out the following table with the cheapest Isla Saona private tours. These cheerful objects that soaked up the quintessential Dominican lifestyle are guaranteed to brighten up your home! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Maybe you'd like to spend a relaxing day with family at the beach? First of all, we show you our classic excursion to Saona Island. Motorcycle Gma, August 12, 2015 in Dominican Republic. We will be there first part of March :). GOOD NEWS! Most Popular Posts on Punta Cana Travel Blog . Lion fish, frog fish and seahorses are the real protagonists. Check out here the best tours to Catalina Island* or continue reading my Isla Catalina guide. We are stopping at La Romana DR this October on the Carnival Conquest. 5 stars all the way, and a nice day with excellent guides. If you cancel the booking for any reason up to 14 days before the trip date, we will refund the deposit to you. Please go ahead and add Punta Cana Travel Blog to your feed: Youll have much smaller groups just the people from your traveling party. MP3 / MOBILE MUSIC plugin. 13 Punta Cana: Snorkeling Tour to Catalina Island by Cataraman. I highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to do any type of boating activity. If you feel that this itinerary might limit your expectations or it is not as much fun as it could be, you should continue reading below, as in this case, a private tour to Isla Saona might be exactly what you are looking for. This is why we offer private and exclusive Saona Island tours, with no-one else on board apart from the crew and your group! For groups of 10 or more, please contact us directly. We, as an agency and tour operator, also depend on transportation to the islands, which are independent, so the cost also depends on these factors.Even so, you can book our Saona Island and Catalina Island experiences from these prices: As you can see, both paradises are at your fingertips. It is an area of the island that barely reaches 11 meters deep. 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. That was easy! Thats when I met Oscar at the other end of the phone He is a super nice and personable guy and immediately understood what we wanted to do and how to do it. And then go for another relaxing swim! The native Taino population called Saona Island Adamanay in the native Arawak language. If this option doesnt suit you, you can check out the following private excursions to Isla Catalina. You will feel unique in the world, and even more so when you visit the natural pool, where you can see starfish and walk to infinity without being covered by the water. Just like many other areas in the Caribbean, Catalina Island served as a refuge for pirates and privateers from 1520 to the 1720s. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. Explore our exciting land and seaactivities & adventures, hotel packages, and otherspecial offers. The staff is just there for you. Did you like this article and would like to read all new stories about Punta Cana and beyond? We will make our first stop in the middle of the ocean to Snorkel or Dive (depends the program youve booked) with some of our professional guides in the water with the most marine fauna in the Caribbean. Any thoughts on which is a better excursion? It is suitable for up to 15 people and comes with a price tag of 1500 USD, lunch and drinks are included. What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? . So, if we like snorkeling, Saona is not the best for this? If you need a transfer from Punta Cana, they can organize it as well. Furthermore, there are some companies which are taking the hygienic protocol not too seriously. Once in Saona, you will be able to enjoy its beaches and vegetation at your leisure.