Speedboat Out, Open Bar, Starfish Pool

Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar

★ 4.3 3,350 reviews

9 hours, pickup offered, free cancellation.

from $82 per person

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Duration: 9 hours
Group: max 300 travellers
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included

Overview

This is a full-day Saona Island excursion run by Caribbean Route, and the whole thing runs about nine hours door to door. A bus collects you at your Punta Cana hotel and drives roughly an hour to the departure point at Este National Park near La Romana. From there the boat ride is part of the fun: travellers typically go out by speedboat, pause at a shallow natural swimming pool in the sea for a swim and photos, then continue to Saona for a long beach block. The listing promises three hours on the island itself.

Food and drink are covered on the day. Snacks, a buffet lunch of barbecue, salad and Dominican dishes, and an open bar of beer, rum and soft drinks are all included, and several reviewers mention drinks being served on the boats too. The return leg is usually by catamaran, which reviews describe as more of a party boat with music. Lobster and a DVD are the only extras listed as purchasable.

It suits sociable travellers who want a big, lively group day rather than something quiet. The beach and the natural pool get consistently strong praise; the food gets a mixed but generally acceptable verdict.

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Snacks
Buffet lunch (BBQ, salad and typical Dominican fare)
Beer, rum and soft drinks (open bar)
30-minute stop at the biggest natural swimming pool
3-hours at the Saona Island

Not Included

DVD (available to purchase)
Lobster (Available to purchase)

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup and drop-off at your Punta Cana hotel are included.
Bus transfer to the parkThe tour departs from Este National Park near La Romana, about an hour by bus from Punta Cana hotels. Reviews note extra time is spent collecting passengers along the way.
Stop at the natural poolThe boats pause at the shallow natural swimming pool. The listing allows a 30-minute stop there for swimming and photos.
Saona Island beach timeContinue to Saona Island for around three hours on the beach, with lunch and open bar included.
Catamaran returnThe trip back is typically by catamaran, with music and drinks on board, as several reviewers describe.
Bus and hotel drop-offThe bus returns you to your hotel. Reviewers mention full days ending in the evening.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews, and they shape how the day feels.

It is a long day. Reviewers describe pickups before 7am and returns around 8pm. Count the bus transfers and passenger collections, and the real day stretches well past the listed nine hours. Plan nothing else for that evening.
Dress for boats and beach. The day centres on swimming, boats and sand, so a swimsuit and beachwear are the practical choice. One piece of feedback about the return boat stands out from the rest.
Sun protection matters. One reviewer came back sunburned, and another noted the return boat can lack shade after a full beach day. Bring high-factor sunblock, a hat and possibly a rash guard.
Bring cash. Lobster is available to purchase, and reviewers mention buying pineapples and coconuts on the island, plus tips along the way. Bring cash for these extras.
Big group energy. With up to 300 travellers, this is a large group excursion, with music on the boats and plenty of rum. Several reviewers describe a lively, party-like atmosphere on board.
Food is adequate. The buffet lunch with barbecue and Dominican fare is included, and reviewers call it plentiful and edible rather than remarkable. Snacks and drinks are also provided.

Common issues. The day involves a lot of transport: one reviewer reported four hours from hotel to the natural pool, mostly spent collecting other passengers, and the listing itself flags the roughly hour-long bus ride. Pregnant travellers are not allowed because of the boat movement, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. One reviewer reported a missed pickup and unresponsive operator phone line, and another noted the bus coordination felt last minute. Weather cancellations are possible, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, snacks, a buffet lunch with barbecue, salad and Dominican food, an open bar of beer, rum and soft drinks, a 30-minute stop at the natural swimming pool and around three hours on Saona Island are all included. The tour runs about nine hours in total.

What Costs Extra?

Lobster and a DVD are listed as available to purchase. Reviewers also mention buying pineapples and coconuts from island vendors, so bring cash.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from Punta Cana hotels are included. The departure point is Este National Park near La Romana, about an hour by bus away, and the pickup times are early, with reviewers reporting collections before 7am.

Is This Tour Suitable For Kids Or People With Limited Mobility?

It is not wheelchair accessible, and pregnant travellers are not allowed because of the boat movement. The listing states most travellers can participate.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. The tour requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for weather you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Sunblock, a hat, beachwear and cash for extras and tips.