Due to the seaweed problem at Saona Island (can anyone confirm this that's been lately? Saona is the only populated island in the archipelago. Which one suits what I am looking for? Still, let's take a closer look at the exact location of each of these islands. The truth is, many tour and excursion providers try to fit as many people as they can on a boat or catamaran and being stuck in a crowd of people you dont know can ruin your entire Saona Island experience. Catalina Island: a picturesque oasis in the Dominican Republic Saona Islands beaches are more scenic and overall it is a more popular experience and for a reason! Take your friends and family (maximum 10 passengers). https://www.proexcursionsbayahibe.com/en/index.html, Awesome thank you for lmk your experience :). For groups of 10 or more, please contact us directly. : Pros/Cons? This is a real island mon! Another underrated activity at Saona Island is scuba diving. . Valid on days: Monday Wednesday and Friday. Board a small speedboat for the thrilling ride out to the island, including a stop at a natural swimming pool where you can see starfish. When traveling with up to 15 people, there are also other options available you can book online. It's up to you whether you want to discover one of the islands or, if you have enough time, venture to know the two little jewels of the Dominican Republic. Check out the following widget with some alternative tours. Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists dont visit it as often as Saona Island. Isla Saona (or in English Saona Island) is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in the Dominican Republic. . As if that were not enough, in Catalina there is also the wreck of a ship called Cara Merchant, commanded by Captain Kidd at the end of the 17th century. 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. You might be surprised! Caribbean Life & Travel magazine has selected Isla Saonas unspoiled beaches as the best beaches of the Caribbean. We are sure that the crystal clear water of this place will not disappoint you. . It is also an exceptionally good place to fish, where you can find specimens of guatapan, horse mackerel, king mackerel, and other types of temperate-water fish. Punta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*Guesthouses & AirBnBs: Info | Book It*Excursions: Info | Book It*Rental Car: Info | Book It*Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan ItTravel Insurance (incl. Book an excursion or rent a private boat and enjoy the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, Why choose WannaBoats.com to rent a yacht, catamaran or speedboat to go to Saona or Catalina in Dominican Republic, Renting an all inclusive luxury catamaran yacht in the Bahamas can be done easily through WannaBoats.com, 1 or 2 weeks on a luxury catamaran for 6 people in the Bahamas, Rent a boat and explore the Exuma Islands, an essential visit in the Bahamas, The Bahamas recognized as a sustainable destination by the UNWTO, Why choose WannaBoats over other private boat rental websites, WannaBoats.com has been awarded the Travelers Choice badge on Tripadvisor from 2020 to 2022. 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. Snorkeling at Saona is nothing special. Its a part of the Cotubanam National Park and a sanctuary to unique species of birds and sea creatures. Those are some of the options you have if you are staying in Punta Cana and are looking for a private yacht or catamaran excursion to one of the islands along the Southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. I asked a resident of Bayahibe about the present seaweed conditions and they are very bad around Punta Cana but Bayahibe and areas nearby are very clean, beaches look gorgeous around Bayahibe and Saona. Isla Catalina, also called Isla Ikiita (also called by local indigenous people like Toeya) is an island in the Caribbean Sea just a few kilometers southeast of Isla La Espaola south of the province of La Romana. Excursion Isla Saona Vip - Related Sites - StatsCrop With over 20yrs. Great info thank you! The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price:5$ USD per person. Furthermore, Isla Catalina offers one of the best snorkeling opportunities in the Southeast of the Dominican Republic. However, you can check out the following tour which is one of the best private tours to Isla Catalina. Despues a la llegada al barco habia un chico super amable para recibirnos y explicarnos todo. Isla Saona offers more things-to-see and more spectacular spots. We're taking YOU to the Super-Star of off-shore islands in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic does not have strict mandates or lockdown restrictions and you can travel freely. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. Dominican Republic ItineraryDominican Republic Road TripIsla Saona ExcursionSanto Domingo AirbnbsSanto Domingo Airport TransfersSanto Domingo Things-to-do, HomeNewest PostsAbout MeTravel CoachingPrivacy Policy. Our excursions also include transportation from Punta Cana to the embarkation , so you don't have to worry about anything. You will only have contact with your traveling party and social distancing to other people like staff members can always be guaranteed. Saona Island tourism remains largely unaffected by the pandemic. Los Flamencos Aparthotel. Professional Music Equipment. The second one will be in a much more relaxed spot, since in The Aquarium we will go down to 8 meters deep, where you will be able to get to know a wonderful underwater world. If you want to enjoy a day of relaxation in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Dominican Republic, your choice should be Saona Island. 4 EXCURSIONS FOR USD250 P/P . Several families of fishermen, who moved to the island by order of the dictator Lenidas Trujillo, have been living there since 1944. 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. If this sounds perfect to you, then check out the best Saona Island tour offers here* or continue reading my Isla Saona Guide. There is one more geographic curiosity about Saona. Usually, on those big group tours, there is not much that can be done if you are not satisfied. Check out the 35 best Punta Cana tours! El transporte que nos organizaron super puntual. Your email address will not be published. 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. Catalina or Saona? - Punta Cana Forum - Tripadvisor It's Catalina Island's secret summer. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see. 10 people max. Water was beautiful. It has various natural beauties, such as its paradisiacal beaches with white sands and the crystalline waters that surround it live different species of birds and fish. It is known for its coral reefs, which caused shipwrecks of some ships such as that of Captain Kidd, a British pirate who was shipwrecked on the shores of Catalina and nowadays diving enthusiasts can visit his sunken ship in this history museum under the sea. 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! Food good, excellent staff for pro excursions. However, the most famous of the island are its dive sites. MP3 / MOBILE MUSIC plugin. SAONA.FUN Plaza Punta Cana, Local B#54 Bavaro/Punta Cana D.R. Seriously, white sand AND palm trees? Breakfast was a bun and a drink. This is why we are sharing this Complete Guide to Saona Island with you. Below as well as above the surface you will be astonished by the natural beauty. The famous Bounty Chocolate commercials were actually filmed on the white sand beaches of Saona Island! I'm a little nervous. With Catalina you're snorkeling off the boat or off the Wall so less concerns about sand and you have both the Aquarium and the Wall to snorkel. Whala!Bayahibe As indicated at the beginning of this article, Isla Catalina is less visited than Isla Saona thats also why there are fewer companies for private tours. No matter what your interests are, Catalina Island offers something for you. Our private boat tours let you have the experience of your dreams! By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? How many islands does the Dominican Republic have? Catalina Island features coral very close to the shore that are easily accessible. It offers seemingly endless miles of white sand beaches, but some of the most popular Saona Island beaches are Canto de la Playa, Playa Bonita, and Playa del Gato. At 17:00 we will head towards La Romana , from where we will return you to your hotel. Are you a small group or maybe even just a couple looking in getting away from the huge groups and the crowded Saona excursions? Catalina Island, a must in Dominican Republic | Saona Dreams Saona and Catalina Island for only $45 USD per adult and $30 USD per child. It is very difficult to make a comparison between both islands. It is the second largest island after Saona Island in Dominican Republic and is well loved for its spectacular diving sites. Bayahibe Travel Guide Once in Saona, you will be able to enjoy its beaches and vegetation at your leisure. 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. Saona has basically two types of excursion; the party trip usually using speedboat one way and catamaran the other (imho speedboat out cat back is best for the party) and our best trip was trimaran both ways , and the eco trip run by Seavis Bayahibe which visits empty beaches and the turtle hatchery at Mano Juan using motor boats. We are stopping at La Romana DR this October on the Carnival Conquest. Refrigerator. Drinks and Food is not included but can be requested at the time of your reservation for an additional price. Bayahibe: Full-Day Saona Island Excursion | GetYourGuide Catalina is more recommended if you are in snorkeling and scuba diving. You will start your tour in La Romana and stop at the most famous snorkeling spot in the area, where you can see colorful fish and a tropical reef. Alternatively, you can check out this return transfer option* as well. On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. If you are long overdue for a relaxing SPA day or vacation, a day trip to Saona Island might be just what you need! Click. Alternatively, you may use. Saona Island is located just off the coast of Punta Cana and Bayahibe and you can expect the quintessential Caribbean weather: warm, sunny, and simply beautiful! Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. Isla Saona is not connected to the Dominican Republics electricity grid and runs entirely on solar panels! The natural pool is so stunning it's not really fair. We are happy to announce that we are in the Bahamas! In fact, from this town in the south of the Dominican Republic we can perfectly see Catalina Island. FROM USD175 P/P Diving Equipment, Instructor, Open Bar and Lunch . Shaded areas, comfortable lounge seats. 3. I'm a little nervous because they are way down the list on TA, but they do have decent reviews and have been responsive via email. 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.