Save 10% with this discount code: RIU10

Saona Island highlights boat tour with buffet lunch
Activities

Saona Island highlights boat tour with buffet lunch

4.3/5

Excellent
363 reviews
from
$80.08
Free cancellation
Language: German, Spanish, English, French, Polish
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: more than 8 hours

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Why you’ll love this…
  • The quintessential Caribbean Island of Saona is on the agenda for this boat tour
  • You'll explore the stunning coastal features of Cotubanama National Park by boat
  • A dazzling natural pool awaits, perfect for cooling off in the open sea, formed by sandbanks
  • Relaxation awaits on a tropical Saona Island beach, with a tasty buffet lunch and drinks
  • Your expert guide brings a wealth of knowledge about Saona Island and its diverse wildlife
What to expect

Total relaxation awaits on this full day cruise to Saona Island's dazzling shores. You'll explore this tropical daydream Caribbean Isle, soaking up the sun and the vibrant colours while you stroll along palm-shaded beaches. First up is a coastal tour of Cotubanama National Park, then you'll stop at a natural pool for a dip before heading to the beach for lunch and free time. Ramon, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Our priority is to protect our pristine environment and all the species that make Saona so special. We were the first country to protect manatees by law, and we have a turtle conservation programme here on the island, too.'

After a relaxing cruise over to Saona, the sightseeing can begin in earnest. You'll cruise the shoreline of the Cotubanama National Park while your local guide points out the island wildlife. See the rocks of El Peñón, and then glide through the Catuano channel. Next, it's time to cool off in the azure water of the natural pools, formed by sandbanks in the open sea. The water is such a tempting shade of blue you won't be able to resist.

Docking at one of Saona Island's fabulous beaches, you'll step off the boat for some beach time. There's the Caribbean for paddling, soft white sand to dip your toes in, and a volleyball pitch to play on. Or you could take the simplest option and just stretch out in the sun. After your tasty buffet lunch is served, there's more free time to enjoy the magical setting.

Read more
What's included
  • check Speedboat ride
  • check Boat cruise
  • check Lunch
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Open bar serving locally branded drinks
What to remember
  • Not suitable for expectant mothers or guests with back problems
  • Not suitable for those with reduced mobility
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Bring a towel
  • Bring a hat
  • This experience doesn't follow our general cancellation policy. If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Read more
Provider
TUI DOMINICANA, S.A.S
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.3 /5

Based on 363 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Staff

4.3/5

Safety

4.3/5

Value for money

4.3/5

Service

4.3/5


54%
29%
15%
1%
1%

Sort by:

  • G

    Gill

    Verified booking

    3

    October 9, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    The day was spent mostly travelling to and from the excursion. This is not made clear. The waiting around for the various transport in heavily crowded areas felt unsafe at points especially as you are usually harassed by people trying to sell you things that are either endorsed by the TUI guide or they do nothing to stop it

  • S

    Sasha

    Verified booking

    4.2

    October 6, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    We really enjoyed the trip once it got going. The staff and service is what let the trip down. There was no organisation when we were dropped off and were left standing and fighting for shade for an hour while the guide was coming from Punta Cana. Our return bus was also late, resulting to us being taken to a service stop to transfer. The trip itself was amazing, stunning views, but the service and staff needs improving

  • J

    Joanne

    Verified booking

    3.8

    October 2, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    We met some lovely people on the day trip. Really enjoyed the catamaran and speedboat. The island was a HUGE disappointment. Pebbles and rocks in the water made it impossible to swim. The island was dirty and there was lots of litter on the sand. It did not look anything like the advertisements. The food was atrocious and there wasn’t enough to go round - especially because the greedy photographer woman went up first and took massive portions. Begging for tips was too much as well.

  • S

    Sharon,Perth Scotland

    Verified booking

    5

    October 1, 2025

    Traveled with family


    Soana island was beautiful but the food was covered by flies everywhere and would be much better if the foods had lids to protect it. And the staff on boats need better training in securing boats when transferring people from one boat to another as it was quite scary trying to step from one boat to the other in the open water to be taken to the island. I even mentioned that they need to secure it better by tying ropes boats together as they would fall in water am be trapped between boats.

  • T

    Turner

    Verified booking

    3

    September 25, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    was okay. wouldn’t recommend, only spent 2 and a half hours on the island and only got a small part of the beach. 12 hour day and only 3 hours of it spent in natural pool and on the island all together. not a lot of communication about transportation and kind of just left to figure it out on our own and left at a shop with no communication.

  • N

    NMc

    Verified booking

    2.6

    September 24, 2025

    Traveled with family


    Parts of this experience was really enjoyable, the catamaran and speed boats were great and the opportunity to swim in the sea on the outward journey was amazing. However this was all overshadowed by a number of things, and I do not have enough space to detail it all but included the pick up and it was organised chaos, when we arrived at the island the buffet was poor inedible and covered in flies , just rows sun beds,on return we had to wait at least 30 minutes for the coach to pick us up.

You might also like

Tour of Boca de Yuma cliffs and beach with pick-up and boat ride
Attractions & guided tours

Tour of Boca de Yuma cliffs and beach with pick-up and boat ride

Join this tour from Punta Cana to enjoy the unspoiled beach of Boca de Yuma while learning more about the local history and culture. Boat ride included.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Day trip to Paradise Peak with transportation
Activities

Day trip to Paradise Peak with transportation

Climb to the summit of Paradise Peak, take some time to relax and have fun, learn more about the local way of life and culture.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Guided tour to experience a day in the life of Dominicans
Activities

Guided tour to experience a day in the life of Dominicans

Experience a day in the life of Dominicans thanks to this guided tour and learn more about the local history and culture.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Half-day Dominican culinary tour with transportation
Activities

Half-day Dominican culinary tour with transportation

Join this culinary tour to experience the best from the Dominican Republic's food scene. Sip a cocktail on the beach and enjoy Punta Cana's nightlife.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Bar crawl in Punta Cana with roundtrip transportation
Activities

Bar crawl in Punta Cana with roundtrip transportation

Experience the famous Punta Cana's nightlight thanks to this bar crawl experience with roundtrip transportation. Enjoy priority access and special discounts.

free cancellation
Available in:

en