Discover paradise on Saona Island, a natural gem located in Cotubanamá National Park. This tour combines adventure, relaxation and tropical beauty in one day. Travelers will enjoy a scenic catamaran tour, complete with music, drinks and a festive atmosphere as they cruise the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Along the way, they will stop at the famous Natural Pool, a sandbank in the middle of the sea where they can bathe and observe starfish in their habitat.
Experience a unique experience at the Palmilla Natural Pool, a hidden paradise in Cotubanamá National Park, near Saona Island. This spectacular sandbank in the middle of the Caribbean Sea offers waters so clear and shallow that it looks like a natural pool. During the tour, travelers will enjoy a catamaran or speedboat ride, with music, drinks and a cheerful atmosphere as they enter the turquoise sea. When you arrive in Palmilla, you can swim, relax and enjoy the scenery, surrounded by crystal clear waters and starfish that inhabit the area.
We were supposed to be picked up at 7am for an 8hr tour. We were picked up at 735am and dropped off at 715pm. That is almost 12 hours. We missed our dinner reservations. On the way back, the driver made stops for this 1 group to get beer and then made another stop for the same group to use the bathroom on the side of the highway. The tour was okay, but because of the above experience it was not worth it.
Driver was 40 minutes late picking us up, had to pay a taxi another $16 to take us out to the entrance of our hotel. Had to then take multiple buses and multiple boats to an island that you could only walk in a certain area. Locals were very pushy and wouldn’t take no thank you for an answer. 7.5 hrs for the transportation and waiting. Very stressful and never got to relax, which was the reason for the trip. Suppose to see starfish, that was a joke. We floated over 1 in the boat. That was it. Open bar was a joke also. Cheap rum and coke. That’s all. If I was paid to go on it again, I would not do it.
Was a great experience. would definitely recommend. Staff friendly and knowledgeable also very concerned with safety and your well being. The transportation was great. Bus big and comfortable and it great condition.
Good tour. Tour guide spoke good English. All the activities were enjoyable as well. We got some very good pictures. We went as a group of 4 people. Would book with this agency again in the future.
WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND PURCHASING AT ALL. Got picked up at 7:30 AM and got dropped off at 7:30PM even though it was supposed to be a 8.5 hours excursion. What was even worse is that only 1.5 hours was spent on the island!!!! We changed bus two or three times before we got to the speedboat. The speedboat was extremely uncomfortable and the seats had very little back support. We arrived at the island at 12:40 and lunch was at 1PM. Lunch was not good at all and tasteless. Then by 2:30 we were all loaded up in the speedboat and then transported to a catamaran. The catamaran was extremely uncomfortable and most persons had to sit on the ground in the hot sun. There is NO OPEN BAR. WHAT EXISTS IS a guy walking around with rum and coke!!! Then they started dancing and giving out DR headbands as if they were free but within five minutes they came requesting payments for the headbands!!!! We had to wait again when we arrived at the port and then we walked about a quarter mile back to the bus. Despite it being very late we had to sit down and wait for more people to come and try and sell us some pictures that they took of us in the morning that they claim was for security yet it was really so that they could sell us them at the end of the trip. IT IS BEST YOU GO WITH ANOTHER COMPANY!!! NOT WORTH THE HASSLE AND STRESS
The overwhelmingly sad thing was that on the day of our trip there was a storm and the trip should not have gone ahead as it was quite dangerous getting there on a boat that was barely a catamaran. Soana itself is stunning but our trip was cut short because of the storm. In addition a male member of the team (Henry) was extremely over familiar with a female guest…followed her into the ladies toilet with a condom in hand…she was able to exit safely thankfully. This was reported to both the guide and to get my guide and it would seem they have no intention of doing anything about this.
Great value for this tour. Includes pickup from the hotel. And drop off after the tour. The boat was spacious and unlimited drinks and food were provided
Amazing , pitachu team , all great
The Saona Catamaran excursion in Punta Cana was advertised as an 8-hour experience, but our day took over 12 hours from start to finish. A large portion of the day was spent traveling, waiting, and dealing with chaos rather than actually enjoying the excursion. The catamaran itself was a major disappointment. We were only actually in the water for about 20 minutes, which was nowhere near what we expected from a catamaran excursion. There was very little enjoyment or activity on the boat, and the overall experience felt poorly organized. The beach was beautiful, but there was absolutely nothing to do once we arrived. There were no meaningful activities to make the excursion enjoyable, so we were essentially just sitting around waiting. Another important warning: if you are staying at Breathless Resort, expect to be the last groups dropped off, which made an already extremely long day even longer. As a result of the added time taken, we missed my birthday dinner and white party. Overall, there was far too much travel time, waiting, confusion, and disorganization, with very little actual excursion time. The day felt exhausting rather than enjoyable. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I would not recommend the Saona Catamaran excursion in Punta Cana and do not feel it was worth the money. There needs to be much better organization, communication, and—most importantly—more actual time enjoying the activities that guests are paying for.
What a day! We have so much fun looking at the wonderful scenery all throughout this excursion. Maria was our tour guide and so was so funny and fun to have as a tour guide. This entire trip was so thrilling and amazing. Would recommend to solo travelers, families, friend groups, and coworkers. Like the locals told us, it’s not a DR trip without visiting Saona.
The island is stunning and well worth visiting but not in the manner we did it. An early wake up and meet at 7:20 followed by 6 hours of travel including a bus doing several stops including being forced into a tourist shop only 40 mins in. Then you get to the port where you are forced to have your photo taken for what they say is a security photo. What it actually is, is they print it and stick it on a bottle of rum which then forced on you ont he bus back. The bus not moving until the guy on the bus has come past you with a card machine asking you to buy it. The journey itself to the island took 6 hours and then you have 1.5 hours on that island. It should be bliss and it is , but it’s also full of boats, people trying to Be Instagram famous and relentless people trying to sell things The way back is just as unorganised. To the point of pulling into a petrol station and people off loaded into cabs An 8 hr tour that takes 12. A tour guide who speaks 80 percent Spanish 20 percent English and more time using transport than enjoying the beautiful country
Was ok, but definitely too short time at Saona island. We chose this tour guide from the reviews but our experience was very different. We got picked up at 7.20am and bought back at 7.30pm. We only had 35 minutes at the natural pool and 1 hour 45 minutes at Saona island, which is not enough time to actually feel relaxed enough to enjoy. Very disappointing as had booked because we were hoping for at least 3 hours or more. There was a lot of waiting around, such a shame because it really could be amazing excursion if timed well. I recommend to find a tour guide that guarantees the time spent at natural pool and saona island.
Overall the tour was ok, but the catamaran didn’t have enough seating and I felt the beach was overcrowded and the lunch was bland. But the staff and the tour guide were great!
Amazing experience visiting Soana Island …. Crystal blue sea, the whitest sand and pineapple on the beach! Our tour guide kept us safe with clear instructions throughout. Catamaran there and speed boat back. Just a few things to note - it is a long day out. Our travel time from hotel to the drop off for the catamaran was about 2.5 hours with a stop off mid way to pick others up. You then spend an hour and 20 mins on the catarmaran to a beautiful pool in the middle of the ocean (totally shallow and safe but they have life jackets on board I’m case) you spend about 45 mins there before heading to the island and get around 2.5 - 3 hours with food and open bar included and then it’s the speedboat back. Lots of sunscreen needed (especially on the catarmaran) and you get pretty soaked on the speedboat but it’s fun. Overall, a must see if you come to DR! The staff on the boats were great too walking around with rum and coke for drinks. Would 10000% recommend!
.🌴 Smooth, Well‑Organised Transfers Pick‑up from our Punta Cana hotel was timely and efficient, starting with a small minibus before transferring to a larger coach. The journey was comfortable, with a halfway stop for a quick break and a browse around a souvenir shop. It set the tone for a well‑run day. ⛵ Catamaran Experience The catamaran was amazing — great atmosphere, light music, and plenty of soft drinks and rum for anyone who wanted it. The first 30 minutes were relaxing before we reached the natural sandbank, which was a real highlight. The water was crystal clear, beautifully shallow, and we were lucky enough to see a ray glide past us. 🏖️ Saona Island After another short sail, we arrived at Saona Island, which is genuinely paradise. We had a private section of beach, giving us space to enjoy the surroundings. Lunch was pretty standard, but honestly fair for the price of the full trip. The island time was fantastic — free piña coladas served in pineapples, fresh coconuts, beach sellers if you wanted souvenirs, and even massage options. 🚤 Speedboat Return The return journey was on a speedboat, which was safe, fun, and got us back to the harbour in around 45 minutes. Straight onto the coach and directly back to the hotel — no swapping vehicles on the return, which was appreciated after a long day. 👏 Outstanding Guide Our guide, Mama Yaris, was exceptional — friendly, informative, and engaging in both English and Spanish. She really elevated the experience and kept the whole group smiling throughout the day. ⭐ Final Thoughts A full 10‑hour day, great value, and a brilliant first experience booking through Viator. We’d happily use them again and would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting Punta Cana.
Amazing experience especially for the value !!! We had an amazing time got pick up at 7:40 got to meet our tour guide at the meeting point with Mami Yaris. Amazing vibes and amazing English Spanish and French. She made sure everyone was safe and taken care of! This also included a private beach in soana island and good food as well. Had an amazing time and would definitely recommend to everyone!!!
It was fun tour: we had a good time - swimming in clear Saona island laguna , musiic, drinks, lunch,
Alex the tour guide was awesome , enjoyed the whole trip just wished it would have had snorkeling as well even if it would have been a bit more expensive 🤿 . Would definitely recommend . Keep in mind it’s a whole day thing 8-9 hours
The experience was like nothing I’ve seen before. Never thought nature could be so beautiful. For a price that is accessible for most we were able to see and stay at a beach that almost felt like a hidden secret. Everything was so beautiful. The staff was always looking out for us and they were very “chévere” (easy going). 10/10 overall experience for couple/family.
This was a great experience! The food was amazing and the staff were very helpful and friendly. It is a great opportunity to have fun and enjoy the views. I recommend!
Went with the fam and we all enjoyed it. We were a group of adults, children, and our grandpas and we all have a great time, so it is worth it.
Genuinely the most fun and interactive tours I’ve done in a bit. Definitely recommend!
This was such a wonderful experience! Everyone was really thoughtful and the Dominican Republic is such a beautiful place to visit. 10/10 would book again
Went with my kids and we all loved it! My kids had a blast with the staff. Stunning beaches and trip.
My friends and I had an amazing experience. The staff was so friendly and the food was quite delicious!
It was an amazing xperience!!
The best excursion ever!!!!!
Beautiful beaches and views and we got to see the starfish. The food was also very good. Mama Yaris was amazing
What an amazing trip to isla soana the team was so great especially Mr Danny el president on time good service and very informative
This company is one to avoid. I paid for an excursion to Sanoa for me and my husband and they never showed up at our resort at the designated pick up time. We tried calling their phone number which was disconnected. We were able to reach them by email and they told us WE never showed up to be picked up. We were there 10 full minutes early. There was a transport vehicle outside which we approached and we showed our tickets to the driver, and told him we were going on the JAC tour to Saona. He looked at his paper and told us no, we were not on his bus. Shortly after he left. Later by email they claimed to have a video showing we were not there which they will not share - and what would that prove anyway it could have been taken when we were not there despite us being early. And of course they refused to give us a refund at first. This changed later and we were told we would get 1/2 our money back. Thoughtful, but no. Interestingly, I later Googled the company and on their site I saw a bus EXACTLY like the one we had approached in the first place leading me to believe the driver just did not check his list or really look at our tickets. It’s very disappointing because it was our last day in the DR leaving no time to rebook with a better vendor and my desire to snorkel was snuffed out this trip. I don’t recommend.
Nice experience overall, with good value for money. Pick-up and drop-off are done directly at the hotel, which is very appreciated. The tour begins with a stop at a souvenir shop, before reaching the port of Bávaro. We then board a boat heading to the natural pools, where cuba libres are served at will. We continue to Saona beach, where we enjoy about 2 hours and 30 minutes on site. The meal, in buffet form, as well as the drinks are included. The return is by catamaran, in a festive atmosphere with music and Dominican dances, before reaching the port and then the bus that takes us back to the hotel. Two negative points, however, tarnish this excursion. Alcohol abuse: the excessive consumption of alcohol by a large portion of the participants made certain moments less pleasant. The attitude of some people became quite annoying, which somewhat spoiled the atmosphere. The use of our photos without our consent: from the beginning of the excursion, my wife and I were photographed before boarding the boat. It was explained to us that this photo was for a check, without really giving us the possibility to refuse. We then discovered that our photos had been used on bottles of traditional passion fruit alcohol, which they were trying to sell us on the bus on the way back. We thus spent nearly 30 minutes listening to a salesperson promote these bottles on which our photos appeared, without us having given our consent for this use. We did not sign any authorization and were never informed that our images would be used for commercial purposes. This practice particularly surprised us and made us uncomfortable. In conclusion: an interesting excursion to discover the natural pools and Saona beach, with transportation, lunch, and drinks included. The value for money remains good, but the atmosphere sometimes spoiled by the excess of alcohol and, above all, the lack of transparency regarding the use of our photos prevent us from giving a better rating. The experience could have been much more pleasant without these two negative points.
They did not pick us up at the hotel, as planned, otherwise everything was correct. Both the driver and the guides were very good.
THEY ARE SCAM ARTISTS!! Do not book excursions with them. They tell me they will pick me up at a certain time in the lobby and they arrive late, they call me and tell me that I have to go to the security gate because they are not allowed to enter, even so I go and tell them to wait for me and when I arrive they have left. Neither the agency nor the transporter answers my phone calls, the security guard at my hotel calls and they answer him. I tell him to come for me and he tells me that he cannot do anything "honey," mocking me on top of that, I HAVE PAID 120€ for this... and with no signs, at least GetYourGuide has taken care of the expense. Do not pay in advance, especially in Punta Cana. The country is very beautiful but the service that the workers provide leaves much to be desired.
Excellent experience and tour quality
It was great I recommend we really liked it
I was a little afraid of the "mass excursion" aspect, but I was blown away. The bus was comfortable, the trip well-paced. Arrived in Saona: generous and tasty food provided, open bar really open (no ridiculous limit). The team was adorable, always there for a smile or a drink. The people in the group were nice, we spent a relaxed and joyful day. The beach is a paradise. Rating: 10/10 without hesitation, we recommend it with our eyes closed.
We spent one of the most beautiful days of our vacation in Saona. The bus was punctual and air-conditioned, the guide very funny and warm. On site: quality food provided and a generous open bar without interruption. The atmosphere was relaxed, the people in the group super pleasant, we even made new acquaintances. The beach is just sublime. Thank you for this perfect experience, we still talk about it every night!
As a couple, we booked the excursion to Isla Soná and were unfortunately not satisfied with the tour overall. We had explicitly booked a German-speaking tour. Unfortunately, the tour was conducted exclusively in Spanish and English. In addition, the tour guide spoke very poor English, which made it difficult at times to follow the explanations. Another major point of criticism was the enormous amount of time spent on transportation. The tour began as early as 7:30 AM, but almost four hours were lost at the beginning due to the journey and various intermediate stops. Among other things, we were first taken to a building where we had almost an hour to buy souvenirs. That was completely unnecessary for us and cost valuable time from the actual tour. Afterward, we headed toward Isla Soná by speedboat. On the way, there was another stop at the so-called Natural Pool. However, this was extremely crowded and therefore nothing special for us. We had expected significantly more from this part of the program. On Isla Soná, we were then told that we would have three hours of free time. In reality, however, it was only about two hours, which was very disappointing. Especially when you consider that the tour already started at 7:30 AM and we didn't get back to the hotel until around 6:30 PM, we would have liked significantly more time on the island. Overall, we had the impression that a great deal of time was spent on transportation and unnecessary stops, and as a result, the actual time on Isla Soná was far too short. It was particularly disappointing for us that the booked German-speaking tour was not offered. For us, it is therefore certain that we would not book this tour again due to the price-performance ratio and the organization.
Wonderful experience, very pleasant ride!
Excellent, it is an unforgettable experience
The landscape of Saona Island is very beautiful, I recommend it to you!
We made several reservations with this company and they were very punctual with the services
A must-do excursion in Punta Cana, the beach is spectacular. The guide Mama Yaris makes it much more enjoyable, super attentive, friendly, and aware of the guests at all times.
From the treatment, the service, the views, and the experience, it was a trip that we all enjoyed, from the little ones to my mother-in-law! What a beautiful experience!! The team is very professional and has unmatched energy!
The guides were always watching
A tour to Saône Island is an unforgettable experience. Its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and natural landscapes create a perfect environment to relax and enjoy. Attention during the tour, music and typical food make everything even more special. It is certainly a place that is totally worth visiting. 🏝️
An unforgettable experience! The whole team was very attentive and professional. The excursion to Saône Island was just beautiful, I had a great time. 100% recommended
Good excursion, coach a little old but chauffeur Darlin and guide "Mama Yaris" very attentive and professional. With everything they offer that is the tour (fun and open bar in the catamaran, natural pools, lunch on the island and stay on the wonderful beach and return by speedboat). Perhaps too far for such a short stay, we miss a little more beach.
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