Caribbean Route · Bayahibe
This is the Saona day most Punta Cana hotels sell: a bus to Bayahibe, a speedboat out with a stop in the starfish pool, about three hours on the beach with a buffet and an open bar, then a party catamaran home. It is the cheapest way to see the island from Punta Cana with everything handled for you.
Caribbean Route's day has more reviews than any other Saona trip on this site: 3,315, at 4.3 stars. It is a big operation: the listing allows up to 300 travelers, and you share every stop with a crowd.
The shape of the day is fixed. A bus collects you from your hotel lobby around 6:30 AM and drives to Bayahibe; the operator puts the ride at an hour, one guest reported 4 hours from hotel to pool, most of it picking up other passengers. A speedboat takes you out with a 30-minute stop at the natural pool to look for starfish, then you get about 3 hours on Saona: loungers, the buffet (BBQ, salad and Dominican dishes), and beer, rum and soft drinks from the open bar. The ride home is on a catamaran with music and dancing.
Go in with the right picture. It is crowded, loud and long: one guest called it 12 hours door to door. Vendors on the beach push massages and souvenirs, and lobster and photos cost extra. In return you pay $82 for a day that costs more than twice that on the small-group tour, and plenty of reviewers call it worth every penny.
Wait in your hotel lobby. Airbnb and apartment guests get a nearby meeting point. Expect more pickups before the bus leaves the area.
The drive runs to Bayahibe on the coast of the national park. Guests report long waits on busy days.
The speedboat stops at the natural swimming pool to look for starfish. A guest reports music around the boats.
Beach time, the buffet lunch and the open bar. Lobster and photos are sold separately.
A slower ride with music and dancing, then the bus to your hotel.
★★★★★Enjoyed a great day to Saona Island with our guide Christian who looked after us all, he made sure we were all in the right place at the right time and had a fantastic day on the island.Took the speed boat there and the party catamaran back,stopped on the sand bar,lunch on the beach and plenty of rum all day,best of all it was half the price of the tours in sale in our hotel.
★★★★★Great communication, gave us pick up time evening before and arrived on the dot. [...] The island was stunning. We had full 3 hours on island. Food was lovely.
★★★★★Our tour guide Eduardo was amazing. Being in the natural pool was amazing; super clear water; music surrounding the boats; drinks were given during the boat ride to the natural pool and saona island.
★★★★★Amazing excursion. Very well organized and we felt safe the whole time. The most clear/blue water I’ve ever experienced! Beautiful and so much fun!
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About 3 hours on the island, plus a 30-minute stop at the natural pool, according to the listing. A guest in August 2026 confirmed a full 3 hours.
The listing says 9 hours. Door to door it can be longer: pickup starts around 6:30 AM, and one guest reported 12 hours with all the hotel stops.
Yes. Beer, rum and soft drinks are included all day, plus snacks and a buffet lunch. The minimum drinking age is 18. Lobster, photos and the DVD cost extra.
For the price, yes, if you know what you are buying: a busy, social day with the most beach time. If you want small groups and a quieter island, read our small group vs big boat comparison.
Ready to book
Pickup in Punta Cana, a natural pool stop, about three hours on Saona and an open bar.
Small-Group Saona Island Full Day TourFourteen guests on a speedboat: the Mano Juan turtle project, a beach lunch and the Palmilla starfish, ahead of the crowds.★ 4.9 · 9 hours · from $165
Saona Island Tour with LunchLobby pickup in Bávaro at 8:30 AM, lunch and a guide. A later start, but guests report short island time.★ 4.8 · 10 hours · from $95
Saona Excursion from BayahibeThe lowest price: about three hours on Saona, buffet lunch and drinks, the natural pool, pickup from Bayahibe hotels only.★ 4.2 · 6 to 7 hours · from $69