Bayahibe Hotel El Pulpo. Some of them are: Those are just a few of the advantages when booking a private excursion to Saona Island and Catalina Island. The Turtle Sanctuary is our other visit in the small town, to get to know these fascinating animals. Saona has areas that are contracted by many of the tour operators that do trips there so they have their own little area for each tour group to do their meals and drinks that are included with most trips. 5 stars all the way, and a nice day with excellent guides. Saona island is an island where you have to go to disconnect, to relax after a few days in the busiest tourist areas. Beaches In La Romana, Dominican Republic Near Cruise Port And its not surprising! The reefs at Saona are considered among the TOP 3 in the country. Private Tour to Saona or Catalina island | WannaBoats Catalina Island, a must in Dominican Republic | Saona Dreams From there we went to Tao restaurant on saona island which was recommended by Oscar and was exceptional we had a luxurious lunch on a beautifully arranged table on the sand From there our captain Moiset took us to an area where we anchored offshore and were able to swim in the most clear blue water you can imagine. We use the same quality standards as for our boat tours. Your email address will not be published. Our last activity is for those who love scuba diving. We use cookies to improve your experience and to analyze the use of our website. Wondering if anyone has been to either or both of these islands as I'm trying to choose which option to decide upon. Private tours are not cheap, especially when boat rides or catamaran cruises are included. Saona is not a tiny off-shore key. Furthermore, Isla Catalina offers one of the best snorkeling opportunities in the Southeast of the Dominican Republic. If the trip is cancelled with less than 14 days notice (for reasons excluding storms/unsafe weather conditions), the full deposit will be transferred to Boat Owner. Saona Island is a beautiful Carribean destination to visit, but HOW you visit it matters a lot. Let's go there! 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. Saona Island tourism remains largely unaffected by the pandemic. Transfer and lunch are optional, hence I recommend to make proper arrangements with the organizer of the tour before so that they exactly know what you wish for your private excursion to Saona Island. Caribbean Life & Travel magazine has selected Isla Saonas unspoiled beaches as the best beaches of the Caribbean. Food, Transfers and Drinks are NOT INCLUDED. 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! Alternatively, you can check out this return transfer option* as well. Sea water has healing properties. And the best of all is that you will practically only have to leave your hotel room, as we will pick you up to take you to La Romana , and then go by catamaran to these dive sites. I would like to thank Oscar who even gave me a generous refund because the boat was not exactly as originally described. Or perhaps you'replanning your first visit to the island. Our excursions also include transportation from Punta Cana to the embarkation , so you don't have to worry about anything. Private Catamaran for Rent to Saona, Palmilla or Catalina Visit Saona Island, an idyllic speck of sand and palm trees in the blue Caribbean, during a full-day tour from Punta Cana. Book your private, 10 Best Beaches in Punta Cana You Dont Want to Miss, 5 Best Scuba Diving Spots in the Dominican Republic. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. The island is also part of a Protected Natural Park of the East. Come to enjoy them in Saona or Catalina Island in Dominican Republic. Click here to learn more! 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. Social distancing can be enforced. 100% recomendable. Be the first to receive special offers, event announcements, exciting tour updates, and so much more when you . As you can read in my review about Isla Catalina, it further scores with its catamaran cruise, as you can enjoy it both ways as opposed to the combined speed boat-/catamaran ride to Isla Saona. If this sounds perfect to you, then check out the best Saona Island tour offers here* or continue reading my Isla Saona Guide. Catalina Island: a picturesque oasis in the Dominican Republic It is part of the National Park Cotubanam (formerly called Parque Nacional del Este). You will be limited in time and your itinerary will be determined by your tour guide. The captain is included with the boat rental. In them we can spend the day in paradise. to learn more about private tours to Saona Island that are tailored to your preferences! For further information, check out the following table with the cheapest Isla Saona private tours. We later passed by another area and swam again. 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. The beach is lovely and long and has many of those type areas for many of the groups to spread out and enjoy the afternoon. Some info about your guide Robert: Hello my name is Robert and originally I am Dutch. Before we are delving into the private excursions to Isla Saona (and Isla Catalina), lets have a look first at Isla Catalina, which can easily be regarded as the little sister of Isla Saona. Muy agradables los marineros. By I only went to Catalina, but here's something that might make a distance. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112206916', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Catalina island has better snorkeling. Refrigerator. In case the proposed option is not to your liking, there are plenty of other yachts you can charter. A few meters away, palm trees and jungle vegetation appear, where we can find endemic fauna and flora of the island. Since 24 years I have been living and working together with my better half on the beautiful sun-drenched island called La . Punta Cana AirbnbsPunta Cana Airport TransfersPunta Cana All-Inclusive ResortsPunta Cana BeachesPunta Cana Car Rental But the highlight of the activity is the visit to the village of Mano Juan, where you can meet the inhabitants of the island. We traveled to the natural pool which is a beautiful Sandbar and were able to swim privately. GOOD NEWS! Oscar himself met us on the beach with our drinks which we paid for on the Internet and even helped us get on our boat. After your visit to the natural pool, youll be on your way to Saona island to enjoy its wild beaches! I recommend you to discuss the details with your host/organizer after booking and before the tour. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included, but you can also bring your own if you do not want to buy them. Check out the following options if traveling with a big family or a bunch of friends. The cruise to the island epitomizes the genuine Caribbean holiday feeling. Un servicio impecable. Best Beaches of Saona Island Saona Island, Dominican Republic: Final Thoughts. If a speed boat is too small for you and you prefer a private yacht to visit Isla Saona, you can check out this private yacht tour for up to 10 people*. He knows every captain in the area and every boat. 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. Thats when I met Oscar at the other end of the phone He is a super nice and personable guy and immediately understood what we wanted to do and how to do it. We swapped the waters of Saona for those of Catalina Island. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ), I'm thinking of going to Catalina Island instead using Passion Paradise Adventures. Or perhaps you're planning your first visit to the island. Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! You will feel unique in the world, and even more so when you visit the natural pool, where you can see starfish and walk to infinity without being covered by the water. It belongs to the Cotubanama National Park and is fully protected by the Dominican government because of its abundant and wild natural life. Catalina Island Excursion From Punta Cana - Excursion Saona Even the Dominican Republic has its own (very extensive) hygiene protocol, which gets excellent reviews and international recognition, a group tour is still a group tour with many other people. Book your, Saona Island, Dominican Republic: Final Thoughts, Ready to discover Saona Island? There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. The native Taino population called Saona Island Adamanay in the native Arawak language. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Catalina Island features coral very close to the shore that are easily accessible. Which is better Catalina Island or Saona - Tripadvisor There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. Thank Kanta M . Its easy to say that both are the most beautiful islands in the Dominican Republic as well. Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists dont visit it as often as Saona Island. That was Saona Island! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Departing from Bayahibe. The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price:5$ USD per person. So, now you are wondering: Where is Saona Island?. Excursion Isla Saona Vip related sites: , Diving, Excursions, Dominikanische republik, Punta Cana, Ausflge Punta Cana, Shugaring EKB, Yasunizate, Shopnail LauraS How to find the best Private Tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina Catamaran Excursion to Saona Island from Bayahibe 2023 - La Romana - Viator The weather will accompany us and we will be able to bathe in the transparent water of the Caribbean. 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. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. Top Hotels in Saona Island - Expedia For a head-to-head comparison of Isla Catalina vs Isla Saona, you can also use the following table. However, the finishing village of Mano Juan does have a small hotel where you can rent a cheap room for the night. DESCRIPTION. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g663484-d1554333-Reviews-SeavisTours-Bayahibe_La_Altagracia_Province_Dominican_Republic.html. Both meet the prototype of Caribbean paradise islands, with crystal clear waters and beaches of fine yellow sand that lend themselves to spend a day of scandal. Please go ahead and add Punta Cana Travel Blog to your feed: Youll have much smaller groups just the people from your traveling party. Still, let's take a closer look at the exact location of each of these islands. So, if we like snorkeling, Saona is not the best for this? It's Catalina Island's secret summer. A good question deserves several good answers: Mornings"Pickup times vary depending on the hotel you are staying at. Saona Island Beach Day via Catamaran from Punta Cana 2023 - Viator Whats Included: Impuestos de parque incluido Lion fish, frog fish and seahorses are the real protagonists. 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! Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Seriously, white sand AND palm trees? Moreover, Saona Islands more secluded beaches that you can reach on a private tour make social distancing much more enjoyable! Catalina Island All of this is included in your private catamaran excursion to Saona Island for up to 15 people (just lunch and the national park fee is extra in case youd like to book it). How many islands does the Dominican Republic have? There are not as many private tours available for Isla Catalina as for Isla Saona, hence a comprehensive list with different tours and providers doesnt make that much sense. Isla Saona is not connected to the Dominican Republics electricity grid and runs entirely on solar panels! This island also has a lot to offer you. Private charters from La Marina at Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana. The natural pool is so stunning it's not really fair. If you cancel the booking for any reason up to 14 days before the trip date, we will refund the deposit to you. 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. Saona Island is a must if you come to spend your vacation in the Dominican Republic and its popularity is well deserved. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. At 17:00 we will head towards La Romana , from where we will return you to your hotel. leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. Bayahibe Travel Guide Alternatively, you may use. Our most popular Saona excursion is the Saona Crusoe VIP: an adventure per fast speedboat to the most remote and the most beautiful beaches on Saona Island. Looking for a private Saona Island tour? The pool is formed because lots of sand naturally gets accumulated in one area, bringing ocean levels to just a couple of feet and making it feel like a pool! Furthermore, there are some companies which are taking the hygienic protocol not too seriously. : In this case, have a look at the cheapest Saona Island private tours which are more affordable than you might think. Book your private Saona Island excursion now! Isla Saona gets visited every day by thousands of tourists. However, any time of the year is perfect to visit these natural wonders. Traveling to Isla Saona in your own private boat is the safest way to explore this beautiful Caribbean island. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. The Saona excursions hit Catuano Beach where the old pier is, the snorkelig can be good or just so so there depending on the conditions because you're closer to shore. Which one suits what I am looking for? We will make our first stop in the middle of the ocean to Snorkel or Dive (depends the program youve booked) with some of our professional guides in the water with the most marine fauna in the Caribbean. Motor catamaran for rent and private tours to Saona Island, Palmilla (natural pools) and Catalina Island with departures from Bayahibe. Catalina Island | Hotels, Restaurants & Island Adventures And then go for another relaxing swim! This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. Also, Saona seems to be more of a party. Saona island is an island where you have to go to disconnect, to relax after a few days in the busiest tourist areas. My girlfriend and I were visiting vacationing at dreams La Romana and wanted to take a private excursion to saona island without having to go on the 20+ people boats. And last but not least, the island and the beach of Catalina are beautiful in their very own way. Motorcycle Gma, August 12, 2015 in Dominican Republic. Full Day (8 hours) Boat Rental for 12 passengersmax. If you are looking for a Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, click. Spend a relaxing time on Catalina Island, an uninhabited nature reserve and national park, and enjoy a barbecue-style lunch on the island. The Wall, is a slope that plunges to 100 meters deep and where a great variety of marine life proliferates. In case you want to try this particular exclusive experience, check out the offers in the widgets further below in this article. See a list of all hotels in Saona Island. Whatever it is, Mano Juan has brightly colored homes that show a Caribbean carefree way of living. (Ermitano Beach) Playa Ermitao Boat tour and Playa Onda, Half Day Trip, Saman Dominican Republic. 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. Of the 539 species found in the park, the small island of 110 km2 is home to most of them. And if Catalina impresses underwater, it also does so on the surface. In case of any problem, you can always seek immediate help from the staff or with the organizer. Whatever request you have, you get their full attention and chances are high that it gets fulfilled. On the way to Isla Saona, theres a gorgeous natural pool, a large area with waist-deep shallow and crystal clear water. Visit the Tiki Bar, dance merengue, visit the Tiki Bar, play volleyball, visit the Tiki Bar, walk the beach, visit the Tiki Bar, hit the buffet. Disappointing - Cheap Shuttles DR - tripadvisor.com