Isla Saona Day Trip

The Isla Saona day trip is the most popular excursion on the south-east coast, and one of the most booked in the country. Almost every version follows the same shape: leave the pier in Bayahíbe in the morning, ride along the coast of the Parque Nacional del Este, spend the middle of the day on the white-sand beaches of Isla Saona with a buffet lunch and open bar, and stop at the waist-deep natural pool sandbar before heading back in the afternoon.

The main choice is the boat. The standard combo goes out by speedboat and returns by catamaran (or the reverse): the speedboat is fast and bumpy, the catamaran slow, sunny and social, with music and rum punch. Speedboat-only trips get more beach time; catamaran-only trips are gentler for anyone who gets seasick. Premium versions go to Canto de la Playa on the quieter south-east side, and some add the fishing village of Mano Juan or the islet of Isla Catalinita.

Prices: tours that start at the Bayahíbe pier are the cheapest, with listings around $65 to $80 per adult in 2026 including lunch, drinks and the park fee. Tours with hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo usually cost around $90 to $100 or more per adult, and add 1.5 to 2.5 hours on a bus each way. Private boats cost more but let you choose the timing and avoid the busiest beach camps. Prices change often, so treat these as rough ranges and compare what is included.

If you are staying in Punta Cana, the trip still works, it just makes for a long day; our Punta Cana catamaran guide covers shorter boat trips closer to Bávaro. If you are staying in Bayahíbe or Dominicus, you have the advantage of a short transfer and the earliest boats.

What to expect on the island: busy tour beaches with loungers, music and vendors, but also long stretches of empty sand if you walk a few minutes away. The national park has rules: do not lift starfish out of the water, do not leave rubbish, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Bring a towel, cash for tips and photos, and a dry bag for your phone.

Best for: first-time visitors, groups and families with kids old enough for a full day out. Not ideal for: anyone with back problems (the speedboat legs can be rough), very young children, or travelers who dislike crowds; for them, a private boat or a shorter Catalina snorkel trip is a better fit. December to April has the calmest seas.