Luxury Catamaran, Lunch On Board

Saona Island small group and relax - luxury catamaran

★ 4.9 625 reviews

8 hours, pickup from Bayahibe-area hotels, free cancellation.

from $169 per person

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Duration: 8 hours
Group: max 30 travellers
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included

Overview

This is a catamaran day trip to Saona Island run by Quetzal Catamaran Excursions, with a group capped at 30 travellers and a full lunch served on board. The boat departs from the Bayahibe area, sails to Saona, and returns the same way, with the whole experience running about 8 hours. Live commentary comes from the guide and crew during the crossing.

The shape of the day, as travellers describe it, is straightforward: a relaxed sail out, beach time on Saona in an area the group has to itself before the larger crowds arrive, lunch back on the boat, then a snorkelling stop at a natural pool where starfish are commonly seen. Reviewers repeatedly contrast the calm on board with louder, more crowded party boats they passed, and several say the crew kept drinks and snacks flowing all day.

It suits couples and families who want an unhurried, spacious day on the water rather than a party atmosphere. The main practical catch is location: hotel pickup and drop-off only covers Bayahibe area hotels. Travellers staying in Punta Cana, Bávaro, La Romana or Santo Domingo need to arrange their own transfer to the departure point, and some reviewers paid the operator extra for that ride.

What's Included

Included

Lunch
Snacks
Unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks
Live commentary on board
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (just included for Bayahibe area hotels)

Not Included

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Transfers from punta CANA, La Romana or Santo Domingo are not included
Lobster

Itinerary

Hotel pickup, Bayahibe onlyPickup and drop-off are included for Bayahibe area hotels only. Travellers from Punta Cana, Bávaro, La Romana or Santo Domingo must arrange their own transfer, which is not included.
Check in at departure pointTravellers check in at the departure point before boarding the catamaran. Reviewers staying further away describe a significant drive to reach it, so the door-to-door day runs longer than the sail itself.
Sail to Saona IslandThe crossing to Saona is a relaxed sail with drinks and snacks served and live commentary from the guide. Reviewers describe the outbound journey as peaceful, with room to sit and enjoy the views.
Beach time on SaonaTime on the island in an area used by the catamaran group, with reviewers describing arrival before the larger crowds. The exact length of the island stay varies.
Lunch on boardLunch on the catamaran includes salad, pasta with pesto, chicken breast with ginger, beef, avocados, tomatoes, parmesan, fruit and rosé wine, with unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks.
Snorkel stopA snorkelling stop at a natural pool where reviewers frequently saw starfish and fish. Guests should bring swimwear for this stop.
Sail back and drop-offReturn sail to the departure point, then drop-off for Bayahibe area hotels. Total duration is about 8 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape the day considerably.

Where pickup works. Hotel pickup and drop-off only covers Bayahibe area hotels. Anyone staying in Punta Cana, Bávaro, La Romana or Santo Domingo pays separately for a transfer, and reviewers staying that far describe a long drive each way. Factor that into the total day length.
Bring repellent. One reviewer urges bringing as much mosquito repellent as possible for Saona. The listing also asks travellers to bring sunglasses, towels and sun lotion, since the tour runs in all weather.
Food and drink. Lunch includes chicken, beef, pasta with pesto, salad, cheese, fruit and rosé wine, plus unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks. Snacks are also provided. A vegetarian option exists if requested at booking.
Group size. The tour caps at 30 travellers. Reviewers repeatedly mention the boat felt spacious compared with packed catamarans seen nearby, with one describing a group of about 20 to 25 as just about perfect. It is small-group by boat standards, not a private charter.
Pace and mobility. The day is relaxed: sailing, beach time and easy snorkelling. Infants must sit on laps and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Photos. Souvenir photos are not included but can be purchased. The snorkel stop offers good chances to see starfish, which several reviewers highlight as a favourite moment of the day.

Common issues. The biggest friction point is transport: pickup only covers Bayahibe hotels, and reviewers staying in Bávaro or Punta Cana paid extra for a transfer, one describing a shared ride after expecting a private one. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. A full refund requires cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time, and the operator can cancel for poor weather or if minimum numbers are not met, offering a different date or a refund.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only for hotels in the Bayahibe area. Transfers from Punta Cana, La Romana and Santo Domingo are not included and must be arranged separately; some reviewers paid the operator for this. Check the booking page for current transfer options and costs.

What Food And Drinks Are Included?

Lunch on board includes avocados, tomatoes, parmesan, salad, pasta with pesto, chicken breast with ginger, beef, fruit and rosé wine. Snacks plus unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks are also included. Lobster is not included, and souvenir photos cost extra. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.

How Many People Are On The Boat?

The listing caps the tour at 30 travellers. One reviewer described a group of about 20 to 25, and reviewers consistently say the boat felt roomy compared with the crowded catamarans they passed.

Is It Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult, and infants must sit on laps. The boat is not wheelchair accessible. Anyone with mobility constraints should consider the boarding and beach access involved.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Later cancellations are not refunded, and changes inside 24 hours are not accepted. Weather cancellations or unmet minimum numbers come with an offer of a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

The listing recommends sunglasses, towels and sun lotion, and the tour runs in all weather so dress appropriately. Swimwear for the beach and snorkelling stop is essential, and dietary requirements should be given at booking.