Booking choice: The small-group Saona tour, from $165 per person. Check dates Tour details
Almost every Saona listing calls itself small, VIP or exclusive. The group caps in the fine print tell a different story: the tours we list run from 14 travelers to 300.
This guide compares the small-group tour with the most reviewed big-group day, and with the sailing catamaran from Bayahibe.
The quick answer
Pick the small-group tour (max 14, from $165) for turtles at Mano Juan, quieter beaches and an early start ahead of the crowds. Pick the big-group day (up to 300, from $82) for the lowest price, an open bar and a party catamaran back. Pick the catamaran from Bayahibe (max 30, from $169) for a gentle sail and a guided snorkel, if you stay near Bayahibe.
How big is a small group on Saona tours?
On the tour we lead with, 14 travelers at most; on others sold as small groups, up to 30.
The small-group full day tour states a maximum of 14 travelers. The catamaran from Bayahibe, titled small group, caps at 30 on a 75-foot boat, and so does the speedboat tour from Bayahibe. The big-group classic allows up to 300.
| Tour | Max group | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small-group full day | 14 | 4.9 (1,555) | $165 |
| Catamaran from Bayahibe | 30 | 4.9 (624) | $169 |
| Speedboat from Bayahibe | 30 | 4.9 (68) | $100 |
| Big-group day with open bar | 300 | 4.3 (3,315) | $82 |
What does the small group do that big boats don't?
It visits Mano Juan's turtle conservation area, serves breakfast there, and times the day to reach the beaches before the crowds.
Guests on the small-group tour mention the turtle sanctuary, a history talk from the guide, reserved beach chairs and having the beach almost to themselves early on. The big-group day goes straight to the natural pool and a main beach for about three hours.
Want the quieter version? Fourteen guests at most and breakfast at Mano Juan.
Check dates for the small-group Saona tourIs the big-boat day bad?
No, but it is a different day: louder, busier and longer on the road, and its reviews are more mixed.
It rates 4.3 from 3,315 reviews, the most of any tour here. Fans love the guides, the natural pool, the open bar and the party catamaran home. The complaints are about time spent on buses and waiting, crowded beaches and persistent vendors. If you want a social day with music and rum, it can be great value.
Want a lively day at the lowest price? Pickup, natural pool, open bar and a party catamaran back.
Explore the big-group Saona day Tour detailsWhich is better for a calm, comfortable ride?
The sailing catamaran: guests on the small-group speedboat call the ride bumpy.
The catamaran takes about 90 minutes to reach Saona according to one guest, and passengers can lounge on deck. It stops at the Catuano reef for a guided snorkel, then Saona, then the Las Palmillas pool. Its free pickup only covers Bayahibe and Dominicus, so from Punta Cana you pay for a transfer.
Prefer to sail? A 75-foot catamaran, a guided snorkel and lunch on board.
Explore the catamaran from Bayahibe Tour detailsHow does the food compare?
All three include lunch and drinks; the small-group tour also includes breakfast.
The small-group buffet includes rice with vegetables, salads, pasta, grilled chicken and pork chops, with breakfast sandwiches, natural juice and fruit salad earlier. The big-group day serves a BBQ and Dominican buffet with an open bar of beer, rum and soft drinks. The catamaran serves lunch on board with unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks.
Who should book which?
Couples and families with children over 6 who want quiet: small group. Budget travelers and party groups: big boat. Bayahibe guests and anyone worried about a bumpy ride: catamaran.
Anyone pregnant or with back problems should avoid the speedboat days entirely. Families with younger children should read Saona with kids, because the small-group tour does not take under-6s.
Does the early start really matter?
Yes: several small-group guests say the 6 AM start is what put them on the beach before the big boats.
One guest wrote that they left just as the crowds arrived. If you are not a morning person, a later tour such as the Bávaro pickup day (8:30 AM start) exists, but you will share the beaches at their busiest.
Up early? Beat the big boats to the sand with the small-group tour.
Check dates for the small-group Saona tourFrequently asked questions
Are Saona small-group tours really small?
It depends on the listing. The small-group full day tour caps at 14; others titled small group cap at 30. Check the maximum in the listing before you book.
Which Saona tour is rated highest?
The private boat shows 5.0 from 64 reviews. Among the shared tours, the small-group tour, the Bayahibe catamaran and the speedboat tour all show 4.9, and the small-group tour has by far the most reviews (1,555).
Is there a party boat to Saona?
Yes. The big-group day returns on a party catamaran with an open bar.
Do small groups visit different beaches?
The small-group tour visits Mano Juan, a quieter beach, Abanico Beach and Palmilla; the big-group day visits a natural pool and spends about three hours on one beach.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Small-Group Saona Island Full Day Tour
- Bus from Punta Cana to the port of Bayahibe and back; speedboat for the whole day
- Breakfast and a Dominican buffet lunch on the beach
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bottled water
Saona Catamaran Day from Bayahibe
- Pickup from Bayahibe and Dominicus hotels only
- Transfers from Punta Cana, La Romana or Santo Domingo cost extra
- Lunch on board, snacks, unlimited beer, rum and soft drinks
Saona Day Trip with Lunch & Open Bar
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Punta Cana area
- Speedboat out, party catamaran back
- A 30-minute natural pool stop and about 3 hours on Saona
