This Saona Island Excursion is available for guests of the Bayahibe, Dominicus, La Romana and Punta Cana/Bavaro/Uvero Alto hotels and resorts. If you are looking for a small group excursion without crowded beaches, this is the right one for you. We bring you to the places of interest away from the thousands of tourists that populate the catamaran beaches of Saona Island every day.
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Warm Turquoise Waters - Swaying Palm Trees - Endless White Beaches
Live your Caribbean Dream
Leave with an Everlasting Memory
Saona Island Excursion
The top-rated Saona Island Excusion by the top rated Eco Tour Operator! Available from Punta Cana, Bavaro, Bayahibe, Dominicus and La Romana.
Wish You Were Here?
Picture Perfect Scenery
Snorkel with Starfish
Wildlife in the Mangroves
Shallow Starfish Sandbank
Authentic Dominican Fishing Village
Daily Village Life
See Baby Sea Turtles Up Close
Away From Mass Tourism
Coral Reef Snorkeling
Why SeavisTours?
- Speedboat Only
- Max 26 Guests
- Eco Tour
- No Mass Tourism
- Professional Guiding
- NOT a Party Tour
- NOT a Reseller
Perfect For:
- Couples
- Famililes
- All Ages
- Eco Conscious Travelers
- Socially Responsible Travelers
Saona Crusoe VIP Itinerary
We differentiate ourselves from other tour groups by operating with small groups and maintaining flexibility in the order of our itinerary highlights. This allows us to prioritize the safety, comfort and enjoyment of our guests. We often adjust the order of stops to avoid crowds and potential rain. Typically, we visit Canto de la Playa and Mano Juan first to avoid the highest waves, which usually occur in the afternoon and to avoid other tour groups. We meet at our visitors center on the beach of Bayahibe from where we board the speedboat and the adventure begins.
Speedboat
Thrilling Ride Along The Coastline
After departing from Bayahibe, we journey along the coastline of the Eastern National Park until we reach the impressive Rocks of Penon, once inhabited by the Tainos Indians. If we're fortunate, we might spot iguanas in their rocky playground, some reaching up to 3 feet in length. Occasionally, dolphins also join us near Penon. The reason our excursion is speedboat only and not one way speedboat and one way catamaran is to be able to reach the stops that those other excursions cannot get to. Going futher than all other tours ensures we avoid the mass tourism beaches on Saona Island.
Mano Juan
A journey back in time...
Next, we take you to Saona Island! Mano Juan, a picturesque fishing village on Saona Island with 300 inhabitants. Here, there are no cars, and the electricity comes solely from solar power. This is our first beach stop. You'll have time to explore the village or swim at the beautiful beach.
Village tour
How to live happy without modern amenities
One of our guides will take you on a Mano Juan village tour, showing you how the people live with very limited resources. If you would like to support the local people, we recommend you buy your souvenirs here.
Sea Turtle project
Community conservation at best
We visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Mano Juan. SeavisTours is the only official sponsor of this project, aimed at increasing the survival of sea turtle hatchlings from nests found on the beaches of Saona Island. If you're lucky, you may have the opportunity to hold baby turtles that are 2-3 days old (please note that there is no guarantee of small turtles, as we cannot interfere with mother nature). If you book this excursion you directly support the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Mano Juan, Saona Island.
Canto de la Playa
Remote ... feel alone in paradise
The stop is one of the absolute highlights of the excursion: the untouched Caribbean beach "Canto de la Playa" (our second beach stop). This beach has it all: white sand beach and crystal-clear, warm, Caribbean water with stunning colors. You will have time to relax on the beach, swim and snorkel in the coral gardens. The bay is protected by the reef barrier, and the water is no more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep, making it ideal for novice snorkelers.
Snorkeling and relaxing in paradise
Since this is the most remote corner of Saona Island, you have the chance to see some remarkable sea life (such as puffer fish, trumpet fish, cuttlefish, butterfly fish, flounder, blue tangs and stingrays to mention a few!). The healthy coral gardens of Canto de la Playa are a work of art by Mother Nature, formed by the currents to create unusual and very colorful sculptures. Experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers can also explore the area at the reef barrier, where larger fish can be found. The number of participants on this tour is limited to 26 persons to preserve the unique atmosphere of "Canto de la Playa."
Catuano Beach
Relaxing at our private concession beach on Saona Island
Arriving at Catuano Beach, our third beach stop and SeavisTours' concession beach. This beautiful beach, lined with palm trees, boasts crystal-clear water and pure white sand. Beach chairs are available for your comfort.
A traditional Dominican Barbecue lunch awaits you...
We will enjoy a traditional Dominican buffet lunch featuring fried chicken, BBQ pork chops, a rice dish, pasta dish, potato dish and fresh fruits. The extensive options accommodate a wide variety of dietary preferences. You can relax on the beach, swim, or browse the local artisan souvenir shops. (* Due to a significant decline in the number of lobsters in the area and our care for the environment and have decided to stop offering lobster as an extra).
The mangroves
A Protected Area Within The National Park
After this refreshing stop, we continue along the coastline, passing by the Mangroves on our way to the channel that separates Saona Island from the mainland. The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for the ocean, providing essential protection and food. Recognizing the importance of this area, the government closed it to all boat traffic in September 2013. We will travel alongside the mangroves. Keep your eyes on the water and you might spot an adult sea turtle!
Sandbank
In The Middle Of The Ocean With Huge Starfish
We stop at the famous "Piscina Natural", a renowned "natural swimming pool". This expansive sandbank is known for its indigenous starfish, which truly thrive here! You'll feel a sense of solitude in the middle of the ocean and be able to see the starfish in their natural habitat among the grasses. The water is shallow—even far from the shore, it remains no deeper than waist height and it boasts stunning shades of turquoise and blue.
In the late afternoon, the boat returns to Bayahibe, just a thrilling 30-minute ride away! We'll arrive back at our visitors center in Bayahibe.
Saona Crusoe VIP Prices
- Adult 12 yr and up USD 105
- Child 2-11 yr USD 60
- Infant 0-1 yr Free*
- *In case your infant needs a place to sit on the boat and on the bus please book the infant as a child. All infants are seated on the lap of their parent.
- Punta Cana transfer USD 25 pp
- Uvero Alto transfer USD 40 pp
- Juan Dolio transfer USD 25 pp
- Dominicus transfer incl.
- Bayahibe transfer incl.
Incl. all drinks, snacks, lunch, park fees, snorkel equipment, guiding, sugar free coke on request
Cancellation
Up to 48 hours prior to the tour: full refund. Between 48-24 hours prior to the tour: 50% refund or option to reschedule to another date free of charge. Less than 24 hours prior to the tour: 1 free reschedule to another date, no refund available. If you do not show up to the pick up time and the transport leaves your hotel, you will have 1 free reschedule to another date. No refund available. If you miss the reschedule date, your booking will be lost without refund.
Weather
The weather in the Dominican Republic is tropical and very localized which makes it practically impossible to predict ahead of time. We decide to let the excursion go or not every morning at 6am. If we decide the conditions are not safe, we will reschedule the excursion and you will be notified via Email/WhatsApp/Phone. If you are not able to join the rescheduled date, you will be fully refunded. We operate rain or shine as long as the conditions are safe.
Cruise Guests
You will be refunded if the cruise ship for some reason doesn't port in La Romana or if SeavisTours has to cancel the excursion for some reason (e.g. weather, strikes or forces out of our control).
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or phone us: +(1) 829 714 4947.
What to bring
Sun Screen
Swim Wear
Towel
Beach Slippers
Snorkel Gear*
Small Change
Camera
*We supply snorkel gear, but take your own if you have it available
SeavisTours Social
The eco project supported by this excursion is the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Mano Juan.
SeavisTours is the only official sponsor of the Sea Trutle Conservation Project on Mano Juan and funds the operational costs and the salary of Negro -
the passionate manager of the project.
Between 5% - 10% of our income is used for supporting our eco and social projects.
By joining this excursion you donate to this project!
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