Saona Island VIP: A Tropical Escape to Remember
💰
ADULTS US$ 129 - CHILDS US$ 65
🕒
Duration: 8 hours
📆
Available: Wednesday, Saturdays
👶
Ages: 5+
⏱️
STARTS: 8 am
Book Your Adventure Now
The Ultimate Saona Island Experience from Punta Cana & Bayahibe
Most Saona tours take you to one beach and call it a day. This one takes you to four of the most spectacular spots on the island — by speedboat — with a village visit, a sea turtle sanctuary, and a gourmet lunch built in. This is the version of Saona Island you’ve been seeing in Instagram posts for years. The real thing. All of it. In one day.
What Happens on the Tour
Departure is at 8:00 AM from Bayahibe, with transport available from Punta Cana. Your guide meets you at the pier, the speedboat is already waiting, and within minutes you’re cutting through the open Caribbean with Saona Island in the distance.
First stop is the Natural Pool — the shallow turquoise sandbank that’s become one of the most photographed places in the entire Caribbean. You’ll step off the boat into warm, knee-deep water with nothing but open ocean around you. It’s even better in person.
From there, the speedboat takes you to Mano Juan — the only inhabited village on Saona Island. It’s a small, colorful fishing community with painted wooden houses, quiet streets, and a remarkable Sea Turtle Sanctuary where conservation teams protect Leatherback and Green Sea Turtles. Your guide shares the story of the sanctuary and the island’s history.
The afternoon takes you to two additional beaches — Playa Toro and El Canto Beach — both stunningly beautiful and far less crowded than the main tourist areas. A full Dominican lunch is served at a shaded beachside area, featuring fresh grilled fish, rice, salads, and tropical fruits, paired with free-flowing drinks from the open bar.While the classic Saona tour puts you on a catamaran with hundreds of other visitors, the Saona Island VIP Tour takes a smaller group to the same paradise with premium service, a gourmet lobster lunch, welcome champagne, exclusive beach access and a pace that actually lets you breathe it all in.
This is the tour for travelers who want Saona Island done properly.
Your Day on the Water
Your journey begins with hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro. From there, you travel to Bayahibe, where your boat awaits at the beach. Before boarding, you receive your national park entry bracelets — Saona Island is a protected nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park, and access is regulated by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism.
What’s Included
- Hotel pickup & transfer from Punta Cana to Bayahibe pier
- Round-trip speedboat transportation to Saona Island
- Natural Pool visit
- Mano Juan Village + Sea Turtle Sanctuary guided visit
- Playa Toro and El Canto Beach stops
- Full Dominican lunch (grilled fish, rice, tropical fruits)
- Open bar all day (rum, beer, sodas, water)
- Expert bilingual guide throughout
Good to Know
💰 Adults US$129 — Kids US$65
🕒 Duration: approximately 8 hours
📆 Wednesday & Saturday — 8:00 AM departure from Bayahibe
👶 Ages 5+
⚠️ Not recommended for pregnant women due to speedboat motion
📍 Transport from Punta Cana to Bayahibe included
🎟️ Book 2+ activities and save 10% with promo code BOOK2SAVE10
What to Bring
Swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, a beach towel, camera, sandals, and a small amount of cash for optional souvenirs in Mano Juan. The lunch and drinks are fully included — you won’t need to bring food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the Saona Classic and Saona VIP tour?
A: The Classic tour uses a catamaran, visits the Natural Pool, and includes a beach stop with a buffet lunch — a great full-day experience. The VIP tour uses a faster speedboat, visits 4 locations (Natural Pool, Mano Juan Village, Sea Turtle Sanctuary, and 2 additional beaches), and includes a more refined Dominican lunch. The VIP experience covers significantly more of the island.
Q: Is the Sea Turtle Sanctuary guaranteed?
A: The Sanctuary is part of every VIP departure. Turtle visibility depends on the season and conservation team activity, but the sanctuary itself is always open for guided visits. Your guide will share full context on the conservation program regardless of whether turtles are visible in the water.
Q: How long does the speedboat ride take?
A: The speedboat transfer from Bayahibe to Saona Island takes approximately 25–30 minutes each way. It’s a lively, open-water ride — if you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking a preventive tablet the night before.
Q: Is the lunch included in the price?
A: Yes. A full Dominican lunch is included in your tour price — grilled fresh fish, rice, salads, and tropical fruits, with an open bar of rum, beer, sodas, and water throughout the day. No additional food costs.
Let us take you on the ultimate tropical escape. Book your Saona Island VIP adventure now!
