All-Inclusive Fare, Catamaran Return

Full Day Excursion to Saona Island with All Inclusive

★ 4.7 362 reviews

8 hours, pickup offered, free cancellation.

from $85 per person

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Duration: 8 hours
Group: max 30 travellers
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included

Overview

A speedboat out and a catamaran back frame this full day trip to Saona Island, run by Sofunrdtours over roughly eight hours. Hotel pickup is part of the package, followed by a drive to the Bayahibe departure point, where the boat transfer begins. The day includes lunch, an open bar with water and soft drinks, and both boats.

The shape of the day, as travellers describe it: a speedboat crossing and a natural pool stop, with rum and music on the catamaran back, then time on Saona itself, where lunch and drinks wait. One reviewer notes a group whose lagoon stop before the island was skipped and offered afterwards instead, so the order of stops can shift.

It suits travellers who want an all-in-one beach day without arranging their own transport or food, and who do not mind a shared group of up to 30 people. Wheelchair users are accommodated on transport and surfaces according to the listing, though the listing cautions against the trip for those with back problems, pregnant travellers, and anyone with serious heart conditions. Families with children have taken it and enjoyed it, but a few reviewers warn that pick-ups can run late, so it rewards patience.

What's Included

Included

Lunch (Those that are included in the package are transportation, lunch, drinks (open bar), water, soft drinks, boat and catamaran.)

Not Included

Shopping for souvenirs, photographs, videography and souvenirs

Itinerary

Hotel pickupTransport from your hotel is included in the package. Reviews report pick-up times in the morning, with occasional delays.
Drive to BayahibeA road transfer to the departure bay at Bayahibe. One reviewer mentions a souvenir shop stop along the way, with prices they found steep.
Speedboat crossingThe run out to the island is by speedboat, with drinks and music on the catamaran ride back. Travellers praise the crew and the atmosphere on board.
Natural pool stopA swim stop at a natural sandbar pool. Photographs taken here are sold separately afterwards, as one reviewer noted.
Time on Saona IslandBeach time plus an included lunch and drinks. One reviewer reported only about an hour on the island, so time there can feel short.
Catamaran returnThe listing has the return crossing by catamaran with open-bar drinks and music on board. A few reviewers describe the boats the other way round.
Transfer back to hotelRoad transport back to your hotel, which one reviewer described as a drive of around three hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

Reviews of this exact tour repeat a few patterns worth knowing before booking, from logistics to what the day actually feels like.

Build in delays. Pick-up can run late. Multiple reviewers reported waits of an hour or more, and one said the hotel restaurant had not opened in time for breakfast, so eating before an early pick-up may not be possible. Bring snacks and do not schedule anything tight afterwards.
Language mix. Several travellers mention limited English from drivers and patchy communication during transport. One reviewer could not get clear answers from the driver about his arrival, so expect communication on the road to be limited.
Group size and pace. The listing caps the group at 30 travellers. Reviews describe shared vans and buses, with one crowded and loud return bus mentioned, so this is a group day rather than an intimate outing. Time at each stop can feel short, as two reviewers noted.
Food and drink. Lunch, water, soft drinks and an open bar are included, and opinions on the food vary sharply, from one reviewer calling it delicious to another calling it poor. Souvenirs, photographs and video are sold separately, so budget for those if you want them.
Sun protection. One reviewer describes waiting an hour under full sun for a boat to leave. Sunscreen, a hat and a cover-up are worth packing.
Weather dependence. The listing states the experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, travellers are offered a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The honest weak spot is logistics. Several reviews describe late, disorganised pick-ups, drivers with little English, and long road legs either side of the boats. One reviewer reported a driver who never arrived at all, and another said they spent little more than an hour on the island after a long drive. The listing itself flags the day as unsuitable for pregnant travellers and those with back problems, and souvenirs, photos and video are charged separately. Weather can also cancel the day, with a rebooking or refund offered when it does.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, transportation is included in the package and pick-up is from your hotel. Reviews confirm hotel collections, though several report delays, so it helps to confirm timing the day before and be ready early.

What Does The Price Include?

Transportation, lunch, an open bar with water and soft drinks, and both the boat and catamaran crossings. Souvenirs, photographs and videography are not included, and reviewers say photo packages sold on the day can be expensive.

How Long Is The Tour?

The listing gives the duration as 8 hours. Reviews indicate a large part of that is road transfer either side, with one traveller describing a return drive of around three hours, so the beach time itself is a portion of the day.

Is It Suitable For Children Or Wheelchair Users?

Families with children have taken this tour and enjoyed it, and the listing states it is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, including the transportation. However, one reviewer noted children were disappointed that the promised starfish were not seen, so manage expectations on marine life.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you get a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Sunscreen and a hat, since reviewers describe waiting in full sun, plus money for souvenirs and photos, which are sold separately. Swimwear and a dry change of clothes are practical for the natural pool stop and the speedboat return. Snacks help if the pick-up runs before hotel breakfast opens.