Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana With Lunch And Open Bar

Christian was an excellent guide, I had an amazing experience at the island

The guide was amazing & the boating stuff great. Lunch & Saona very beautiful & relaxing. The only downside is it’s a million transfers…we literally had to take 2 vehicle transfers then 2 boat transfers.

Our tour guide Alex was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable and very friendly. I appreciate our bus driver getting us to and from safely

Juan and Alex was the team for my trip. They did and amazing job ensuring that we arrived on time and enjoyed our time. Definitely worth it.

Great day trip with your guide Alex and driver Juan. There was hotel pickup with a van/small bus that took us to a larger coach bus. From there we took a bus ride, stopped at a souvenir shop for the toilets, then another 20 min ride to a port. There was a speed boat (you walk in the water to get on, a 45 min ride to the natural swimming pool. The staff setup an open bar and took pictures of our group in multiple poses. The photographers William and Pepsi Cola were fantastic and knew how to set us up in poses that would look good with the bilious backdrop and natural lighting. From there we climbed back into the hair and headed to Saona island and had loungers, a buffet lunch, swim or play in the water, and time for photos with the photographers. After that we headed back on a catamaran with music, an open bar, dancers, and overall a good time. The photographers came and reviewed the photos with us and sold them all for roughly one United States dollar per photo. There were roughly one hundred photos for our group. There is about 2 hours on a bus and a lot of time on the boats (maybe another 3 hours) so be warned you spend a lot of time in transit.

It was an amazing experience recommend everyone to go try it. Very respectful business.

Very poor communication and overcrowded. The catamaran turns into a party boat on the way home. The island is very cool at least

You need sunscreen. And the further out you are the longer the drive. Spent 2.5 hours on the bus and van. But the rest made it worth it. Ben our guide was like a 1999s hype man. Give Flava Flave a run for his money. Drinks are small but unlimited. Food is made to absorb alcohol. And the dancing on the boat was off the chain. Must do.

Worst excursion EVER. This was actually very dangerous getting in and off the boat. The clear water lagoon that they speak off is not waist deep or clear in any way. The stop to see starfish is a drive by at 15 mph. You do not see anything. Drinks are all included on the catamaran (rum only) no bottles of water only rum and coke or sprite. Get to the island and you stay there maybe 2 hours and I think they have 5 bottles of beer because they ran out after 45 minutes so your only option is again, rum! The tour guide kept yelling at us to hurry up every stop we made, not cool. Plus you had a long walk from the bus to the marina so definitely not for anyone with mobility issues. I have never written a negative review before but I felt this one was necessary as it looks nothing like the brochure offering and is very disappointing. Not worth the $99 USD.

Alex was a great tour guide, and Juan was a great driver.

This was great. Def all day. We got picked up at 6:20 am. Wowzers. Super fun. Got to experience a lot. Saona Island is amazing. Wish I brought more money because they try to upsell a lot of stuff. But they do take Apple Pay at some places on the island. I had to get a pineapple pina colada. Everyone was great. They kept us safe. I would highly recommend for adults. Think it would be kind of boring for kids. Just based on the two kids with us…they seemed bored. But not a lot of kids.

Long drive and boat ride but a very good experience and very pretty beach and good food and good drinks and rum!

Wear your sunblock because even on days there is no sun you will get burnt! The place was beautiful our tour guide was great and the food was delicious.

We've done this excursion twice and it never disappoints. The tour guide and boat staff are all amazing. Highly recommend it!

Pick up at 8am from hotel via TUI coach to Bayahibe to catch the speedboat to the island. Coach was comfy and not too long a journey from Punta Cana, followed by a short walk to the water. The speedboat ride was contracted out to a company called PTS and the boat was clean and sound. They provided us each with lifejackets and had lots of room. We then stopped in the Saona sandbank to swim in pristine Caribbean waters before being given refreshments, including rum and cola. Also had professional photographers available if wanted. Next stop was the island where there were sun loungers waiting for us on the white powder beach. Lunch was delicious grilled chicken and pork, with rice, pasta dishes, potatoes and a fruit platter. Drinks were also included. There are no parasols but plenty coconut trees to provide shade. After about 2.5 hours we returned to a speedboat, and transferred to a catamaran. The journey back was nice with some drinks, dancing or sunbathing on the boat. Coach ride back included a 15 min short stop at a shop to pick up trinkets and fridge magnets or coffee and we were back by 6pm.

Alex was amazing !! Food and beach was good as off oct 20.2026

Absolute sham! One a coach then picking up others 2 hours out your morning then get to the port a boat out so far then swap to catamaran ..: which consists of young girl chewing gum, dirty looks, only do same entertainment one dance and embarrassing… was really uncomfortable… young girls then trying to drag men up, pumping up their bottoms… eikkkk.. the 2 hours got to the island full of flys attacking me, beautiful sea but massive drop and full of stones and hard to get out, was the 2 hours then a speed boat back(that was the best part) on to the coach and got told to get off and then they got people taxis with other people back to total!! Defo not worth it!! Looks nice but isn’t!!

It was really nice! Alex and Juan are very kind and happy.

Alex and juan are very good and happy

The tour guide was bad. He left after having collected the tips. The driver took us to a store, where the coffee beans were three times more expensive than you would find in Walmart. The driver did not follow the rule to drop customers. We were the first to pick up, but the last to drop at the hotel. Saona Island is amazing, but the bus ride was long and boring. To make it worse, the guide forgot picking up some customers, causing a dangerous reverse driving on highway!

It was a horrible experience. Very unorganized a 15 hour excursion day due to the lack of organization . Only got 2 hours on the actual island. We were told to swap vehicles at a gas station on the way up then on the side of the road on the way back. Had us walk through a jungle they originally told us to stay out of just to get on a speed boat. Then we had to hop off the speed boat onto a different boat in the middle of the ocean. We were told to be ready by 6:30am and they were late then when we had to go pick up others they had us waiting 40 mins for a group who didn’t even show up. It was a big complete lack of consideration for our time. As a group of all girls it was sketchy through and through.

We had the BEST guide, Christian (and bus driver Juan). He was fun & informative. The beach is absolutely beautiful, food was amazing and I even found a baby starfish at the natural swimming stop. My only advice to know before booking is be prepared and bring small bills ($1 and $5) as tips are requested by the boat drivers (both in and out of the island), bus driver & tour guide, and the folks on the island cleaning up your dishes from lunch. It is always optional of course. Definitely recommend this tour, it is well worth the money!

There was good and bad in this excursion. The island was beautiful and something worth seeing and the food was amazing! The only downfall is the travel time. All in all this was a 12 hour excursion and only 3 hours were spend at the island and natural pool. Between the bus travel and the boat travel it almost made it not worth it. We were gone all day from 6:30AM to 7:20PM. Just a few things to keep in mind while booking.

Here are my thoughts! 2 stars for the beach alone…. This is a 12 hour/ ALL day excursion. We were picked up at 6:30am and didn’t get back to our resort until 7pm. 6+ hours of transportation for about 2 hours of fun. Transportation is VERY unorganized! And the travel is VERY long. The total excursion is about 4 hours by the time you get on the boat and leave the boat. Driving there took 3 hours as we did not get on the boat until around 9:30/9:45am. If you are an inpatient person or don’t like to be close with people this excursion is NOT for you. They only served warm rum and warm soda, not a true open bar. All of the workers were super nice though. Food was decent but everything that you’d want (lobster, shrimp, calamari) to eat was extra cost ($50+). The Pina Colada in a pineapple totally worth the extra cost! Photographers are there but charging $100+ for 10-15 photos. Crazy! This is our first time traveling out of the country. Once you get to island the workers that make a living do not take “no” for an answer; constantly asking if you want your hair braided or a massage. Overall the water was gorgeous, food was decent, and the catamaran back was relaxing! We’ve done it once and definitely won’t do it again, it is not worth our time in our opinion.

We had a lovely trip overall, and Alex and Juan were both very friendly and welcoming. However, there were a couple of things that let the experience down. On the way to the boat, we were taken to a tourist shop where the prices were ridiculously high, which felt unnecessary and took away from the experience. Unfortunately, the return journey on the catamaran was also uncomfortable, as a lady repeatedly approached both me and my partner about leaving a tip and would not leave us alone. Tipping should be a personal choice, not something guests feel pressured into. Overall, we enjoyed the trip, but these two issues definitely took away from what could have been an even better experience.

Wonderful experience! The guide Alex and driver Juan are very nice!

Bring cash for purchase, using any cards they charge fees ..certain % . Bring big spray because the bugs bite . Tip $ because locals are awesome & don't be afraid to say No.. water shoes & phone case for phone

Alex and micky were great. The beach was amazing.

Everything was very good, thank you

Boat ride a little rough but worth every bit of it. very organizes and patient , Mr.Chris and Mickey more were amazing

Excellent trip and value. It was well organized and professional. The drivers, the boat crew, and the guide were first-rate. The stop on the way was nice. Isla Saona was magnificent.

I would like to break my review to 2 parts. The tour- it is a fantastic experience- Christian was looking after well the group. The speed boat guys were excellent vibe. I would recommend taking the tour as part an excursion. The second part is the transport, which is getting the 1 star. We have been offered a 6: 30 pick up at our hotel gate, we could not have breakfast as it was really early. We started pick up other travellers, then around 7:15, we have returned to the neighbour hotel, picked up 4 drunkish guests. Then drive away to a petrol station, then 8 o'clock, we come back again for another 2 guests to the neighbour hotel.Then we have gone to petrol station again. The drunk guest put a speaker on loud music, driver didnt say anyting, he sing along. These guests were causing trouble during the catamaran trip back. When we hit the bus, I have asked our tour person, to explain that we the remaining 6 person, dont want loud music. He told them and the driver, that no music allowed. He was crystal clear! 5 minutes into journey, the driver put the music on! And he can not speak good english, so he didnt even said or ask us about it. They way back the plan was that we drop the drunken guest first, but the driver changed the plan, and left them for the last, we were just before our stop and one girl informed the driver that she needed a toilet for a wee, and she just walked out to another hotel restroom before we started to go for our drop off. Driver didnt said anything to us, and as we have been on the edge of tiredness,12 hour 20 minutes since we have been picked up, we got lost it, tried to challenge it, but he wasnt great in english. I have asked him to hand over the phone and I can discuss with the tour leader, but he refused. I agree that you can not control other people behaviour, but you can refuse to board drunk or late guests! Disrespecting 6 guests, while pleaseing 6 drunkens. I have decided to go with Tui with the rest of our excursions,normally I always support local business,but I can not do on this.

Very nice experience. Sparkling water. A must do if you are in Punta Cana. Tour guide and driver were excellent as well.

Alex and Juan were great! Plus all the other captains, boating staff, and tour guides! It was an amazing experience

The tour guide Alex was fun and knowledgeable, communicated in both English and Spanish, the bus was clean, the driver was very smooth. We had a blast!

Alex was amazing. He spoke very well and was very knowledgeable about the area. He had great energy as well! Great experience and had so much fun.

Alex was a great tour guide. This excursion was very enjoyable and would highly recommend!

Horrible I can’t swim and was not able to get in the natural Pool As boat operator did not get close enough for me to get off the boat.

Amazing Trip, Island is beautiful! Food was good! You can buy Pineapples and Coconuts. Boat on return was a little unshaded for our liking after a long beach day but still great! Pictures were great too!

I had a great experience! The food provided on the island wasn’t the best but overall experience 100/10.

Took long to get to the island but it’s worth it. They talk A LOT going. Coming back they quite because everyone tired 🤣. Pick up was at 6:45am came back 8:00. It will take your whole day way. At lunch I got ALL three meats. EAT and I also bought my own drinks and snacks.

We had an absolutely AMAZINGGG time with Mickey, the driver, & Alex, our guide!!! Alex is bilingual, which helped a whole lot. He and his crew made our experience on Saona Island truly one of a kind and unforgettable. The boat crew and the girls/dancers were also incredible, energetic, and made us feel like family. We hope to come back and book with Alex and Mickey and the rest of the team very soon !

Great experience. Everything was excellent.

Alex was such a great tour guide and Mickey made the travel very smooth. We had the best experience and would recommend other people to do this tour when in the Dominican Republic!

Very well organized and super fun! Our guide Christian as well as the driver and staff on both boats were friendly and attentive. Beautiful beaches and scenery.

Worth it. Make sure you bring enough sun cream if you are sensitive.

I should have read the reviews more. It wasn’t what I expected, but would be ideal for some people. It’s definitely more of a booze cruise type option. If I had the choice again, I’d pay a little more for a better experience. A long journey out. Spent lots of time waiting for other people to show up. Shuttled from hotel by taxi to the coach in a petrol station for the trip to Bayahibe. A stop on the way for shopping and the loo. Life jackets on the journey out on the seated and sober speedboat to the swim spot for the first booze of the day. No danger here as all seated and a fairly high sided not massively fast speedboat. Loud music. Booze kicks in on the swim spot where dozens of other boats show up to jostle for space. Not deep and great photos taken. Some drunk people before moving on to the island. Life jackets on for the safe trip out. The spot on the Island for this more budget trip was fairly rough with lots of coral underfoot. The island is gorgeous but the swim spot sling my feet in the sea. Food was ok. Booze flowing. Dancing girls whipping up the boozy mood. 2.5 hours on the island. Transfer to Catamaran for the way back. No lifevests, plenty drunk people shaking their stuff and stotting around on deck with a flimsy rope between their twerking assess and the sea beneath. Uber loud music. Party booze cruise back. Were told the filthy shack on the beach on the way back is the only toilet on the way off the boat to getting back to the hotel. It’s a fib. The attendants hose your feet and charge $1 a pee. No water. No flush. Just a bucket to slosh some water in the loo. In the bus park there are beautiful toilets for free. Go there. As I said, perfect for some people. If you want a chilled out relaxed visit to a beautiful place with hopefully a better spot on the island, pay more and get a better trip.

Great Experience! All Day Trip

Best company to go to saona!!! Very responsive!! The tour guide is the best!! I feel very SECURE THE ENTIRE TRIP!! Book them