Is the snorkeling low key or more advanced? Palmilla Sandbank is the beach where the natural swimming pool is located. So, now you are wondering: Where is Saona Island?. Where to Stay in Saona Island Some of them are: Those are just a few of the advantages when booking a private excursion to Saona Island and Catalina Island. Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. I looked all over the Internet and it was very confusing/expensive to take a private tour. During the navigation to Saona, you will enjoy an incomparable landscape, observing the beauty of the Cotubanam Natural Park (also known as Parque Nacional del Este), full of beaches, palm trees and mangroves. At Mano Juan, you will find a few gift shops with typical souvenirs to take back home with you, stands with local art, and a small restaurant that serves fresh island food. It's an all day excursion with snorkeling and/or diving. . Perhaps the best known of the island is its beautiful natural pool, where you can walk dozens of meters without the water covering more than your hip. The second of the excursions we propose is our classic visit to Catalina Island. Hotel Bocaino. (Ermitano Beach) Playa Ermitao Boat tour and Playa Onda, Half Day Trip, Saman Dominican Republic. Drinks and Foodis not included but can be requested at the time of your reservation for an additional price. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for your review and your trust in us. This article is exclusively about private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. Few tourists actually visit Mano Juan when they come to Saona Island, so incorporating a visit to this fishing village into your Isla Saona itinerary will give you a chance to experience this tranquil tropical island off the beaten track! Be the first to receive special offers, event announcements, exciting tour updates, and so much morewhen you sign up for our newsletter. Are you ready to escape the crowded beaches of Bavaro or Bayahibe and explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean? Punta Cana Currency In fact, from this town in the south of the Dominican Republic we can perfectly see Catalina Island. I have summarized the best Saona private tours for you in this comprehensive overview. This is why we are sharing this Complete Guide to Saona Island with you. One of the cheapest and most recommended tours is this Private Saona Island Cruise for up to 6 people*. Furthermore, there are some companies which are taking the hygienic protocol not too seriously. However, this shouldnt mean that a visit to Isla Catalina is not worth-to-go by no means. Saona Island, Dominican Republic: Final Thoughts. There are two places worth exploring while diving: El Muro, an impressive wall that plunges into the Caribbean Sea, reaching a depth of about 100 meters; and El Acuario, where the dive is 11 meters, full of coral formations, where you can find some of the most typical species of the Caribbean Sea such as seahorses, the famous lion fish or toad fish, among others. On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. As mentioned, there is quite an amount of people visiting Isla Saona (and to a lesser extent Isla Catalina as well). If, in addition to enjoying paradisiacal beaches, you are a lover of diving or snorkeling, your destination is Catalina Island. If you feel that this itinerary might limit your expectations or it is not as much fun as it could be, you should continue reading below, as in this case, a private tour to Isla Saona might be exactly what you are looking for. This island also has a lot to offer you. leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. Just if snorkeling is important for you or if you have already been to Isla Saona, Isla Catalina might be the better pick for you. Check out the Saona Island Tour and Catalina Island Tour and the Saona Gallery and the Catalina Gallery for some impressions, enjoy! Best Things To Do on Saona Island How to get to the Saona island is only arriving from the public beach of Bayahibe, from there you can hire us in different options in package tours, or renting a boat or catamaran yacht . The island measures about 9.6 . Estoy contento de saber que disfrutaron de la lancha para ir a Isla Saona y las piscinas naturales de forma privada! Each boat to Saona Island is different. SAONA.FUN Plaza Punta Cana, Local B#54 Bavaro/Punta Cana D.R. And even the price seems steep at first glance, if you break it down to 15 people, it is just a bit more than 100 US per person a real bargain for a private full-day catamaran cruise! Bayahibe Travel Guide If this sounds perfect to you, then check out the best Saona Island tour offers here* or continue reading my Isla Saona Guide. In Mano Juan, a small fishing village on Isla Saona, there is a refuge for turtles that you can visit and you can help the cause with a donation. Our private half-day or full-day boat tours allow you to escape the crowds for a memorable Saona Island tour to experience this slice of Caribbean paradise on your own terms. etc. We swapped the waters of Saona for those of Catalina Island. Saona is the only populated island in the archipelago. Once in Saona, you will be able to enjoy its beaches and vegetation at your leisure. Since it is a part of the national park, Isla Saona and its waters are home to endangered and rare animal species such as rhinoceros iguana, the gentle manatee, and dolphins that you may not see elsewhere! The natural pool is so stunning it's not really fair. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You will only have contact with your traveling party and social distancing to other people like staff members can always be guaranteed. The weather is still great and there are fewer crowds,which means it's time to plan your next vacation! The village of Mano Juan is still there and is one of the two charming fishing villages on Isla Saona, along with a village called Catuano. Or, if youre feeling adventurous, go scuba diving or snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea to see lots of beautiful fish and interesting sea creatures! You may also be interested in these articles, Difference between Saona and Catalina Islands, Hidden treasures of the Dominican Republic. Muy agradables los marineros. This full-day Saona Island tour includes a buffet lunch served beneath shady palm trees, round-trip transport by sailing catamaran, drinks on board the boat, and four hours of free time to experience Saona Island at your own pace. It is suitable for up to 15 people and comes with a price tag of 1500 USD, lunch and drinks are included. 17 Full day buggy Safari with lunch and Chavon River Tour. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful ride along the waves to Isla Saona and follow your unique itinerary without feeling rushed or completely dependent on your tour provider and a large group of people you have never met before. You can get to Saona Island from Punta Cana or Bayahibe. Pros/Cons? Isla Saona natural pool is the largest natural pool in the world and there are lots of things you can do during your time there, from relaxing in the beautiful waters to dancing merengue on a boat and enjoying some Dominican rum! Visiting Saona Island is usually a day trip and you will be back in your hotel by the early evening, so there is no need to search for accommodations on Saona Island. See a list of all hotels in Saona Island. In the afternoon, you head back to your starting point. Hotel Bayahibe. Especially when looking for a little extra, a Saona Island private tour can be an amazing deal compared to sharing a catamaran with 70 other people. Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? As there are just your people on the boat, you can decide how long you want to stay or if you want to skip a stop completely. Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email). . Hi we were just on the Proexcursion to Sonoa last week. And when you find yourself in its crystalline waters, you must remember that you are in one of the most important ecological reserves of the Dominican Republic. If youve been wanting to reconnect with your natural side, visiting Isla Saona should be a must-do for your Caribbean vacation! If you ever get hot during your Saona Island trip, simply go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or drink a cold Presidente! Ready to discover Saona Island? There is currently a push to go back to this original name for Isla Saona. The best private excursion I can recommend for Isla Catalina is this private boat tour*. Hop on board, sail along the Caribbean Sea, feel the ocean breeze and sip on an ice-cold beer or a delicious Cuba Libre. Caribbean Life & Travel magazine has selected Isla Saonas unspoiled beaches as the best beaches of the Caribbean. With over 20yrs. Any thoughts on which is a better excursion? He was able to arrange a private boat at a very good cost to pick up my girlfriend and I right next to our resort on the beach. $ 95 $ 70 4 EXCURSIONS FOR USD250 P/P . Saona Island's beaches are more scenic and overall it is a more popular experience and for a reason! For a head-to-head comparison of Isla Catalina vs Isla Saona, you can also use the following table. Saona and Catalina Island for only $45 USD per adult and $30 USD per child. We start approximately 8:00 am from Bavaro - Punta Cana to Bayahibe. However, tours are sometimes cheaper than you might think, hence it is worth having a closer look at Catalina Island and Saona Island private tours. Enjoy the National Park of the East in Dominican Republic, the beautiful Saona Island or Catalina . Despite those hordes, it is a beautiful place (I couldnt believe it before I was there for the first time). Most. This is the most basic experience to visit the Catalina Island National Park, where you will be able to see its most famous places. Excursion Isla Saona Vip related sites: , Diving, Excursions, Dominikanische republik, Punta Cana, Ausflge Punta Cana, Shugaring EKB, Yasunizate, Shopnail The best 5 beaches in the Dominican Republic, Rent a boat and discover the best coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, A good profile picture helps you attract customers, Private Catamaran to Saona or Catalina in Bayahibe, SAONA ISLAND Speedboat for private rental in Bayahibe, VIP Speed Boat for Rent in Casa de Campo to Saona or Catalina islands, Luxury Yacht Charter from Casa de Campo to Saona or Catalina. A few meters away, palm trees and jungle vegetation appear, where we can find endemic fauna and flora of the island. Please go ahead and add Punta Cana Travel Blog to your feed: Youll have much smaller groups just the people from your traveling party. Check out here the best tours to Catalina Island* or continue reading my Isla Catalina guide. Where to begin to describe one of the most beautiful places in the Dominican Republic. There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. It is the second largest island after Saona Island in Dominican Republic and is well loved for its spectacular diving sites. Catalina is sold as a snorkelling trip rather than a party trip - there is a wall on the east side of the island, the beach is on the west side. Here we can find all kinds of marine life, from lobsters and multicolored fish to large rays. Best Beaches of Saona Island Book your Saona Island Tour now! And then go for another relaxing swim! Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists don't visit it as often as Saona Island. You have to pay the full boat and the entire crew, doesnt matter how many persons are in your group. Check out the following widget with some alternative tours. Hotel El Eden. Despues a la llegada al barco habia un chico super amable para recibirnos y explicarnos todo. From exploring the natural swimming pools to spotting rare animals, we got you covered! They have beaches worthy of a picture postcard, kilometers of sandy beach surrounded by palm trees and bathed by turquoise waters in a protected natural park. Experience a country of the wonders, one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Dominican Republic, famous for its coral reefs and tropical fish. Saona is more recommended if you are looking for a nice beach with no seaweed and great views. The yacht features a kitchen, a covered seating area and sufficient space outside to lounge and to enjoy the sun. Also, Saona seems to be more of a party. If you are looking for a Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, click. 1 on Tripadvisor (out of 54 water sports and excursion companies in Bayahibe, the departure port to go to Isla Saona). Saona.fun is focused on quality tours to the islands of Saona & Catalina. This is a real island mon! The Dominican Republic is famous for its incredible seafood, and Saona Island lives up to the expectations! Would you like to take advantage of someone with years of experience in the tourism industry (knowing all the travel hacks ) and living right in the place where you would like to spend your holiday?Thats what my personal travel coaching is for. This is not to say that there's not big boats going to Catalina. Diving in Catalina Island reaches its maximum expression in places like The Wall or The Aquarium. As if that were not enough, after visiting this iconic place you can snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Catalina Island, putting the finishing touch to a perfect day. I will design your tailor-made itinerary, tell you how to save money on your trip and send you the best insider tips and recommendations. You get the boat, the open bar and the food. Are you a small group or maybe even just a couple looking in getting away from the huge groups and the crowded Saona excursions? Espero volver a verles pronto!! The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. You may have seen Saona Island in the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Blue Lagoon, since some scenes from these movies were shot on Isla Saona! Or perhaps you'replanning your first visit to the island. The famous Bounty Chocolate commercials were actually filmed on the white sand beaches of Saona Island! Do you remember the gorgeous Bounty Chocolate commercials that showed off a deserted island with a gorgeous white sand beach and turquoise waters? What's so amazing about Isla Saona? 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. Luxury Yacht Charter from Casa de Campo to Saona or Catalina Casa de Campo Marina, La Romana 22000, Dominican Republic 23 5 Verified Crew Included CLEAN & SAFE 450 US$ ( Per boat ) Private Boat Rental to Saona or Catalina Island Tour Bayahibe, Dominican Republic 12 Verified Crew Included Post a free listing to rent your boat Great info thank you! However, approximately three decades after Columbuss first visit and the Spanish conquest, the Taino population of the Dominican Republic including the Saona Island was diminished by old world diseases, such as smallpox, and brutal work conditions established by the colonizers. I know it is sometimes boring to read all those articles with all my personal experiences and recommendations. Our private boat tours let you have the experience of your dreams! No matter what your interests are, Catalina Island offers something for you. And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. Seaweed was present around the first snorkel site at the old pier, not over where we were, but the snorkeling is not great there anyway. We guarantee you that you will love this Island and it's amazing reefs! It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. This is by far the most elegant private tour to Isla Saona a full cruising-style catamaran exclusively for your group*. This is the Caribbean Sea folks. Isla Saona is generally reached by boat from Bayahibe. Looking for a private Saona Island tour? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019 - 2023 Punta Cana Hero. Situated 10km from the cruise port and in front of Caleta Beach stated above, Catalina is a tiny uninhabited island consisting of 3.7 square miles. With us, with the help of professional guides, you will be able to dive in some of the best spots in the Dominican Republic. If you are traveling with a large family or a group of friends, the prices of a private tour can be even more affordable than if booked individually.