Saona Island Tour

Saona

Saona Island is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in the Dominican Republic.
It is an island in the southeast of the country. It’s known for mangroves, coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches and surrounded by incredibly blue turquoise waters. Which are home to starfish.
Mano Juan is a laid-back fishing village with colorful shacks and a turtle egg collection station. It is part of the National Park Cotubanamá (formerly called Parque Nacional del Este).

Saona Island has a surface area of 110 km/sq, its population, which is concentrated in the town of Mano Juan, is of approximately 350 inhabitants with only 69 houses of families.

What’s Included:

round trip in air-conditioned van/bus
professional tour guide
park entrance fees
snorkeling at the wreck ‘Atlantic Princess’
drive along the coast to the mangroves, with a bit of luck we will see sea turtles there
snorkeling stop at Catuano
visit to the village of Mano Juan & lunch buffet with sea view (weather permitting)
swimming at the dream beach ‘Playa El Toro’
visit to the ‘Piscina Natural’ and the opportunity to observe starfish in their natural environment
(the schedule may change depending on the weather)
excursion languages: German, English, Dutch and Spanish

Lunch Menu:
• fish
• chicken
• rice
• pasta with sauce
• sautéed potatoes with onions
• green salad
• fruit
• drinks: rum, Cola, Sprite, bottled water (during lunch also: beer & coffee)
• lobster (not included, but available for US$ xxx extra.)
• special drinks and or food on request

What to Bring:
• beach clothing
• bathing suit
• towel
• beach slippers
• snorkel gear (we offer snorkel gear, but take your own if you have available)
• camera
• sunscreen
• cash

Not recommended for:
• pregnant women (lesser than 13 weeks)
• people with back disorders

Payment:
• deposit might be applicable
• full payment on arrival in Bayahibe
• US$, Euros, Dominican Pesos
• Paypal
• no 200 or 500 Euro notes and NO credit cards

Duration of your excursion including your transportation from & to your hotel is approximately 8 hours

Availability:
• Saona VIP (max.10 adults):
– 7 days subject to availability
• Private groups and/or individual tours: 7 days

Prices:
• Saona VIP from US$ 150 per person (max. 10 adults)
– children till 3 years for free
– children till 12 years 50% discount

Additional transfer costs may apply.

• Private groups and/or individual tours on request
– Other events like birthdays and weddings also possible.

Pickup Locations:
• We pick up guests in these hotel regions:

– Macao / Uvero Alto
– Bavaro
– Punta Cana
– Miches
– Dominicus / Bayahibe

• We also pick up cruise passengers at the port in La Romana.

• Pick-up times upon booking confirmation.

Another option!

A private tour to Saona Island comes with many advantages. Some of them are:
• It will be only your group/traveling party
• We can customize your excursion to suit your needs
• You do not have any “strangers” on the boat so you can roam around freely and create the vibe you want
• The staff is just there for you so whatever request you have, you will get the full attention and chances are high that it gets fulfilled
• 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

Reviews

Saona Sun & Fun

5.0

Based on 61 reviews

review us on

Marvin Vetter

3 months ago

A+ adventure to Saona Guide explains a lot of facts about the island’s and have ample time to explore around at all the stops. Highly recommend any of their tours

Tanja Höfs

4 months ago

We (two adults, three children) had a fantastic day thanks to Robert and got to experience so much away from the typical tourist boats. Robert went to great lengths to show us all sides of the Caribbean Sea. It was wonderful, thank you :-)

Sherria Hind

4 months ago

Honestly cannot recommend these guys enough, they were warm, welcoming, accommodating, extremely knowledgeable and bent over backwards to give us the best possible day. They listened to what we were looking for from our excursion and worked incredibly hard to make sure it exceeded our expectations. As a family we had the best day and made some truly special and very treasured memories. It was 100% with taking the private tour. THANK YOU SO MUCH Robert, Ingrid, Udo and team 💕

Ivonne Bohndick

5 months ago

An unforgettable day where you can truly experience the Caribbean, thanks to a fantastic guide who is passionate about what he does. He takes you by the hand and shows you the underwater world. He explains the facts, gives advice, and makes you feel completely taken care of. Thank you for this wonderful day.

Sabine “SaMoA”

5 months ago

An absolutely unforgettable boat trip! The journey to Saona Island was breathtakingly beautiful. The visit to the turtle hatchery was particularly impressive – very informative and wonderful to see how they care for the animals. Snorkeling off Catalinita Island was a real highlight: crystal-clear water and a stunning underwater world. On Saona itself, a delicious meal awaited us in a paradisiacal setting. The organization was excellent, and the crew was very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended! Best regards, Sabine

Marilu Olvera Soto

5 months ago

An amazing small-group excursion on April 23rd, led by Robert, who demonstrated great experience and knowledge. The itinerary was followed perfectly, and we visited incredible places, enjoying the diverse array of turtles, fish, and rays. I highly recommend it and wouldn't hesitate to take this excursion again.

Bernd Altena

7 months ago

Hi Rob, thank you so much for the wonderful tour to Saona. It was impressive, informative, and very enjoyable, the way you conducted the tour. Your empathetic reintroduction to snorkeling—I hadn't snorkeled for years—deserves special mention. We were also lucky enough to have a small group 🤭. The abundance of wildlife and the mangroves left a lasting impression. Best regards, Silvia and Bernd

Piotr Kanas

7 months ago

We had the absolute pleasure of taking a private tour for four people with Robert and his team, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish! We felt very well taken care of the entire time, and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. The tour was perfectly organized, with plenty of great stops and fun activities that kept us engaged throughout. Robert shared a lot of interesting facts and historical insights, which made the experience not only enjoyable but also very informative. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to avoid crowds and enjoy something truly special. We highly recommend it to anyone seeking unforgettable experiences!

Cotton Candy Frapper Far

8 months ago

If you’re looking for a more intimate excursion focused on experiencing and seeing more—rather than being on a large party boat—this is the perfect choice. Udo picked us up directly from our place and took us straight to the boat, where we met our guide, Robert. One of the best parts of this tour was the flexibility. Because it was a smaller group, we were able to adjust our route depending on where the crowds were, which allowed us to get closer and enjoy each spot more fully. During the trip, we saw starfish, a boat wreck, piers with sea urchins, dolphins we could practically touch and of course plenty of fish. Robert was extremely knowledgeable, and it was great hearing insights and stories that only a local insider would know. The boat itself was spotless, and beverages were provided throughout the trip. We also enjoyed a lovely catered lunch on Saona Island, which was a wonderful touch. I would highly recommend this excursion!

Martina Lugbauer

8 months ago

Great trip

Mariacristina Micalizzi

8 months ago

Best experience in Bayahibe! We booked a private tour with Saona. Everything was perfect from the start. Communication with Robert and Ingrid was always easy, the pickup was punctual, and the tour was wonderful. We saw everything the island had to offer, we had a blast, and all our requests were always met. I would recommend this to everyone! Thank you, Robert, Lionel, and Ingrid, for the amazing day!

Ursula Peter

9 months ago

*Unforgettable Half-Day Trip – Pure Nature Around Catalinita* This half-day trip around Catalinita was one of the absolute highlights of our trip. If you want to experience authentic nature, this is the place for you. Far from mass tourism, an impressive underwater world and untouched nature await. While snorkeling, we were able to observe an incredible number of sea turtles, as well as rays and even sharks. The frigate birds were also beautiful – an experience you won't soon forget. Everything seemed pristine, peaceful, and respectful of nature. The landscape above and below the water is simply breathtaking, the water crystal clear and teeming with life. You immediately sense that the focus here is on experiencing nature and not on quick tourist attractions. *Conclusion:* If you are looking for pure nature, fascinating wildlife, and an authentic experience, you should definitely take this trip. An absolute must for nature lovers and snorkeling enthusiasts! We thank Robert and the boat crew for this experience. Ursula and Daniel

Tiberiu T

10 months ago

An outstanding tour and a truly memorable day. Ingrid and Robert are excellent professionals who bring real passion and care to their work. Avoid the generic hotel tours—this small-group experience offers better value, a more personal touch, and far more enjoyment.

Sabine Soder

10 months ago

An experience you don't have every day, a memory that will last forever! I would book it again in a heartbeat!

Angelica Kay

10 months ago

We loved Robert as a personal guide as we visited the islands. You can see his love and appreciation of the islands, the people and their culture. Highly recommended Robert to you!

CLEG

10 months ago

Amazing action packed adventure to Saona If you are looking for a well organized tour with lots of things to see and do this is it The price includes: • round trip in air-conditioned van/bus • professional tour guide • park entrance fees • snorkeling at the wreck ‘Atlantic Princess’ • drive along the coast by speedboat to the mangroves, with a bit of luck we will see sea turtles there • snorkeling stop at Catuano • visit to the village of Mano Juan & lunch buffet with sea view • swimming at the dream beach ‘Playa El Toro’ • visit to the ‘Piscina Natural’ and the opportunity to observe starfish in their natural environment Also well coordinated pick up and drop off at our resort

Traci Adcock

10 months ago

Truly fabulous tour of Saona on 12/30! Ingrid was awesome as were the boat crew. We opted for the private tour as we were a group of 6 and enjoyed the flexibility that provided to spend more or less time at each spot. Saona Sun & Fun were super responsive to our WhatsApp messages, pick up by Alex was on time and the whole day was very smooth, trouble free, and very enjoyable. Thank you!!

Uschi Schumann

10 months ago

The tour on December 11, 2025, with Robert to the Catalinita Islands with their sandbanks and Saona Island was fantastic and worth every penny. There was everything to see: rays, turtles, giant starfish, and so much more. We will always remember it fondly and will definitely do this tour again on our next visit to the Dominican Republic. Many thanks to Robert from "Grandma Uschi" of the family.

Issbell Neugebauer

11 months ago

This was my third time in the Dominican Republic, but this tour was simply unique! 🥰😍 So many rays, turtles, starfish, and even more fish! 😍 Beautiful, secluded spots. Nothing run-of-the-mill. A truly amazing, unforgettable adventure. And a wonderful and lovely guide. Super friendly and helpful crew. I'll definitely book another tour here on my next visit! ☺️ Warmest regards to everyone, Isabell

Nicolas Machatschek

11 months ago

A perfect day trip to Isla Saona! The trip was exceptionally well-organized from start to finish. I especially appreciated the small group size, which made everything feel much more personal and relaxed. The fast boat got us there quickly, allowing us to enjoy more time on and in the water. The snorkeling was a real highlight – we saw so many marine animals, and the crystal-clear water and breathtaking scenery were simply stunning. A huge thank you to our guide, Robert, who led the tour perfectly with his friendly and knowledgeable manner. An absolutely recommendable trip – I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Louis Lenaerts

11 months ago

Amazing experience! Rob knows the area, and also feels the group he is guiding. Such a unique talent. Highly recommended if you are keen to feel pirates of the Caribbean for a day 🏴‍☠️ 🏝️

Diana Flick

12 months ago

It was a wonderful day with Robert on Saona Island. Everything was exactly as we had hoped: private, informative, great weather, and a relaxing day. Everything was perfect. Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Silvia Soldati

2 years ago

What an amazing experience! We did 2 excursions, Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. Robert, our guide, was super friendly at took great pleasure to explain us all details. Everything from transportation to drinks and food was spot on. If we will be back, we will definetely choose this amazing crew again!

Peter der Bäcker

2 years ago

Absolutely recommended!!!! A really great experience from start to finish.

Eugen Mokrizki

2 years ago

The trip to Saona Island was absolutely fantastic! The boat tour with snorkeling was more than perfectly organized and we experienced so many incredible moments. Robert, our guide, was especially great! He gave us a lot of interesting information and showed us the most beautiful corners of the island, he is really super nice and funny. And has a clue. The view was simply fantastic and we took lots of great pictures. He also took pictures and edited them and sent them to us. It was an unforgettable day!!! – we can recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to experience Saona Island to the fullest! One of the most beautiful places we have ever been.

Ellie Fullmer

2 years ago

This was the best tour we did on our trip! Robert was the best guide! It was relaxed and we had a small group. We saw so many different fish, sea turtles and star fish, and had the most delicious lunch on Saona island! Robert is knowledgeable and answers all questions, and he is so fun too. I highly recommend!

Elke Held

2 years ago

We spent a wonderful day with Robert in the Dominican Republic. Even the pickup from Mein Schiff to the speedboat went perfectly. During the boat ride, Robert explained everything we could see on land. He skillfully avoided the crowds and showed us wonderful snorkeling spots. The hospitality on a small island and the sea turtle project were simply fantastic! We highly recommend Daona Sun & Fun.

manuel distler

2 years ago

It was a wonderful and wonderful trip with Robert in a small group on Saona Island! We learned a lot about the country and its people from Robert. We'd love to come back next time. Thank you, Robert.

Pawlas Eugen

2 years ago

Very nice excursion, professional leadership

Elke Müller

2 years ago

It was a really nice day with Robert and his crew. We sailed against the big boats, so we were alone in places.

Nadine C.

2 years ago

Udo and Robert do their job with ♥️. The trip to Saona Island was an absolute highlight. We even had a VIP tour because we were alone (four of us) on the boat. The super interesting car ride with Udo and then the boat ride and snorkeling 🤿 with Robert. Simply unforgettable. 🐠🐟🐢 We will highly recommend excursions with Schau Ma Mal to anyone who goes to the DomRep. We would like to thank both of ♥️ for the wonderful day. 🌞🌞🌞

Iv Rie

2 years ago

We took a great tour to Isla Saona with Robert. It was beautiful!!!! Everything!!!! We'd love to come back! Thank you very much to you and your crew.

Manuela Neumärker

2 years ago

Hey guys, we were traveling as a family with a great crew to the island of Saona with lots of stops. It was an experience that you can't find words for. You have to experience it. It was so impressive and fantastic that we were so crazy and repeated this trip 2 days later. The crew, Robert, Rey and Erick are simply incredible. Keep it up and stay healthy and happy. A big thank you again Rainer, Lissy, Anett, Luigi, Andreas and Manuela

Andreas Neumärker

2 years ago

Guys, what a beautiful day. As a small family group, we were warmly welcomed into the harbor by Robert and his crew. During the boat trip we learned a lot about the island, country and people. We anchored in wonderful spots with time for swimming and snorkeling. There was a delicious little buffet on the island. We all had a lot of fun and can only recommend this trip.

Lissy Zimmer

2 years ago

An absolutely great trip to the island of Saona! With 6 people, as a family, a great 2-man crew and Robert as a guide, we had a more than perfect day! Great atmosphere, absolute individuality, delicious food, great guiding with very interesting facts about the island and its history! We all had a lot of fun, we're still raving about it! Maybe we'll see each other again! Stay as great as you are!!

Lynn Neirinckx

2 years ago

We took part in an excursion to Saona last week and were guided by Rob and Ingrid. Everything was arranged down to the last detail and we had the best experience of our entire holiday! Multilingual guide who speaks from his passion and who also had the patience to teach us how to snorkel. We are extremely grateful to you for the wonderful day and now recommend your organization to friends and family who are considering coming to the Dominican Republic. Hopefully we can join you again in the future!

Petra Rosario

2 years ago

Thank you very much for the well-organized trip! We really liked it! We will definitely book something with you again!

Julie Stutzmann

3 years ago

Thank you very much to Robert and Udo for this great discovery! I highly recommend them, very good organization and explanations.

Stiev Kircheis

3 years ago

It was a wonderful trip

Katharina Fresmann

3 years ago

This is our fifth time in the Dominican Republic and we have already made a number of trips. This time I booked through Udo for the first time. It was by far the best trip! Robert was our guide and we were in a very small group. The food was great and the excursion was beautiful and authentic. At the end we also got some great photos from Robert. In the future I will only book our excursions through Udo! Thank you for this unforgettable day!

Karim Chaouch

3 years ago

Great excursion, perfectly organised. A fantastic experience

Michael Spiller

3 years ago

We booked the Saona tour through Udo. Since we were staying at a hotel in Juan Dolio, we took a taxi to Bayahibe and back. Robert was our guide. It was a wonderful, never-to-be-forgotten tour! Everything was well organized! Robert gave us a super friendly welcome and gave us great, very interesting information about flora, fauna, history and other useful tips throughout the entire tour. The tour included snorkeling twice and thanks to Robert's tips we knew where and what to look for. It was really good to do the tour in the small group of 10 people. Everything was relaxed, informative and just beautiful. Robert also took professional photos of the tour for us during the tour. Thank you very much - we can only recommend the tour with Robert to everyone here!

Dani Dani

3 years ago

We had such an amazing time on our private tour! Snorkeling, drinks, food, wildlife, etc. was our favorite tour while in the DR. We highly recommend an excursion with Robert!!!

Kellen Schneider

3 years ago

Robert and his crew were absolutely phenomenal. Shared so much history about the area and took us to all the best spots. Couldn’t have asked for a better crew and was the family’s favorite excursion by far.

Wim Saelen

3 years ago

We did the Saona island tour organised by "Schau Ma Mal"-Udo the German and "Saona Sun & Fun"-Robert "den Hollander" (I wonder if they were a comic duo in another life). Nevertheless, after being picked up at the hotel by Herr Udo himself and an hour drive to the small harbour of Bayahíbe, we were welcomed by Robert and the local boat crew. Together with another couple - that's right, we were only 4 guests on this trip, a close to private tour experience - we boarded the speedboat which would be our means of transport for the rest of the day, pirates (of the Caribbean) style. Speeding along the shores of the National Park and meanwhile scouting our next vacation destination, we soon arrived at our first stop: a sand bank popular with starfish. There are plenty of them, and they are happy to pose for pictures, as long as you don't touch them (pfuh... beauty queens). Continuing the journey towards The Island, we passed another wildlife hotspot. This time, it were turtles stealing the show. They're a bit shy, but with some patience and luck, you can catch them on camera. The last stop before actually setting foot on Saona is a snorkelling stop at the remains of a pier. A must-see. Plenty of colourful fish, stingrays, jellyfish, and above the water surface also pelicans. Then it was time for lunch in the one village of the island, Mano Juan, and as promised, it's away from mass tourism with its large humanoid crowds. We were served tasty local food right at the beach in a pleasant atmosphere. After lunch, Robert also took us on a tour through the village, including a visit to a local turtle conservatory. Advice: bring some cash... if you don't want to spend it on "Made in the PRC"-souvenirs, then at least help save the turtles. On the way back, we made a last stop at a very, very quiet bay to act as a stranded whale and have some more drinks to then finally cut through the waves back to Bayahíbe. A last word for future guests: This tour is not expensive, given the small group. Sure, there may be cheaper options, but you may end up feeling like a refugee on some overly packed vessel. Udo and Robert know what European guests are looking for... not mass tourism. English, Deutsch, Nederlands, Español... language is no issue. Photography is one of Robert's hobbies... that means nice photos are included. The sanitary facilities on Saona are "sit at your own risk" style... just be aware. To Robert and Udo: Thank you for making the Saona trip one, if not THE, highlight of our vacation! Keep doing what you're doing en hopelijk tot een volgende keer. Kim-Lan & Wim (KiWi)

Brianna Gervais

3 years ago

This private boat trip to Saona was one of the best decisions we made on our trip! We debated how or if we wanted to visit Soana Island. The bigger catamarans didn’t seem like something we were super interested in with the large crowds and streamlined time frames. We were made aware of Robert’s company via our Airbnb host and there was no question that was how we wanted to do it! My boyfriend and I along with 3 other wonderful ladies from our complex had the entire boat privately rented for ourselves. Robert and Captain Carlos took us off the beaten path to many different stops along the way to Saona. We had two snorkeling stops, stopped on a more secluded part of Saona to have an amazing meal prepared beachside along with a small tour of one of Saona’s tiny towns. We stopped at a pristine almost private beach to ourselves for a swim after that. Robert was so enjoyable to have as a host - very knowledgeable explaining all the history and details of the lands along the way. He was professional yet humorous and fun to be around. Captain Carlos did a wonderful job as well. Rum drinks were served casually throughout the day. For the price of this tour- and all listed above was included- not to mention Robert took photos of everyone along the way and sent via WhatsApp at no extra charge it is so well worth it to skip those giant crowded groups!! Transportation from Punta Cana was also included in the price in a private vehicle. We had the time of our lives and it was the highlight of our trip! Couldn’t recommend more!

Amanda Chambers

3 years ago

Had an amazing time with this small group tour company. Guides were very knowledgeable. They knew right where to take you to get the full experience. Our guide took pictures the whole trip and promptly sent them later that day at no additional charge. Would highly recommend over the big tour companies.

(A Brand of Schau Ma Mal)

Saona.fun is focused on quality tours to the islands of Saona & Catalina.
With over 20yrs. experience in tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Development & Design by Alpha Consulting Group