How do you get to Saona Island from Punta Cana?

You travel by road to Bayahibe and then by boat. The road leg takes roughly 1 hour plus hotel pickup stops. Operators quote 45 minutes to 1 hour by speedboat, or roughly 1.5 hours by catamaran. You can book hotel transfers with the excursion.

How much is the Saona Island park ticket?

The park ticket costs RD$250 per person. The rate is the same for Dominicans and foreign visitors. Some tours include it, so you don't automatically owe a second payment. The tariff doesn't specify a price for children under 12.

How long is a Saona Island day trip?

A typical trip takes 9 to 10 hours from your hotel and back. The Saona list has options lasting 7 to 12 hours. You won't spend all that time on the beach. Road transfers and boat travel are part of the day.

Can you visit Saona Island without a tour?

Yes, you can hire a boat in Bayahibe or La Romana. You still pay RD$250 per person for park entry unless it's included. Your return crossing needs arranging before departure. Meals depend on what you agree with the boat provider.

What is the natural pool at Saona?

It's the shallow sandbank in open sea off Palmilla. The water is roughly waist deep where boats stop. Starfish live on the sandy bottom, though you aren't guaranteed a sighting. Leave them where they are and keep them underwater.

When is the best time to visit Saona Island?

December through April suits a trip planned around drier weather. It's also high season. Boats run throughout the year, including the June 1 to November 30 Atlantic hurricane season. Book early in your stay so there's room to move the day if weather intervenes.

Things to do in Punta Cana › Places › Saona Island

Saona Island

RD$250 per person · boats from Bayahibe

Updated October 30, 2026 park tariff from the Ministry; routes and seasons from official tourism

Saona Island lies off the Dominican Republic's southeast coast within Parque Nacional Cotubanamá. Most boats leave from Bayahibe. Your route can include the Palmilla natural pool and Mano Juan's turtle hatchery. The park ticket costs RD$250 per person. Some tours include it, so you don't pay twice. A typical day takes 9 to 10 hours from your Punta Cana hotel and back.

Saona Island, a palm leaning over the water

Swimmers standing in the natural pool off Saona

Boats at Bayahibe, where most Saona trips leave

The park

Saona: the park, the boats and the natural pool

The island	part of Parque Nacional Cotubanamá off the southeast coast, covering 42 square miles (110 square kilometers). It lies across the Catuano channel, roughly 1.5 miles or 2.4 km from the mainland.
Park entry	the ticket costs RD$250 per person for Dominicans and foreign visitors alike. It comes as a wristband; some tours include it in the price.
The boats	operators quote roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour from Bayahibe by speedboat and 1.5 hours by catamaran. Stops and sea conditions can change the crossing time.
The natural pool	a sandbank off Palmilla with water roughly waist deep and starfish on the sandy bottom. Sightings aren't guaranteed; leave any starfish you see in the water.
Mano Juan	a fishing village on Saona's southwest coast with no cars and electricity from solar power. Its turtle hatchery is a stop on tours that include the village.
On the island	tour groups have beach buffets and bars; Mano Juan also has a beachfront restaurant. You shouldn't count on public restrooms at every beach stop.

Which boat day

Group catamaran and speedboat The shared catamaran and speedboat day includes lunch and drinks. It combines beach time with the natural pool, though music on board means it isn't a quiet sail.
Small group to Canto de la Playa Small boats reach Canto de la Playa and its reef east of Mano Juan. Choose a route that names it; the featured small group visits El Abanico.
Private boat A private charter keeps your party together and lets you adjust time at each stop. Your park ticket and hotel pickup need agreeing before departure.

Map

Where Saona is

Isla Saona: 18.1545° N, 68.6768° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

How to get there

From Punta Cana hotels Bayahibe is 43.0 miles or 69.2 km by road from Punta Cana airport. The route mainly follows Autopista del Coral; Punta Cana to Bayahibe takes roughly 1 hour. Your hotel pickup can add time.
From Bayahibe Operators quote roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by speedboat and 1.5 hours by catamaran. Those are planning times; stops and sea conditions affect the trip.
With a tour Hotel pickup and return come with these six trips, though pickup points depend on the hotel and option. The Saona list keeps nine of 201 tours from Punta Cana.
On your own You can hire a boat in Bayahibe or La Romana. The park ticket still costs RD$250 per person unless it's included. Agree on your return and lunch arrangements before setting out.

On the island

What you find on Saona

Palms over the water

Coconut palms lean over Saona's white sand and water. You reach the beaches by boat, with time ashore set by the tour you choose.

The natural pool

Swimmers stand on the Palmilla sandbank with water roughly waist deep. Any starfish you see should stay untouched on the bottom.

Shade along the shore

The palms give shade along the beaches where groups stop for lunch. The small group tour reserves chairs at El Abanico for roughly 3 hours of lunch and beach time.

Boats at Bayahibe

The boats gather along Bayahibe's waterfront before heading toward Saona. Most trips from Punta Cana combine a hotel transfer with this crossing.

With a guide

Catamaran, speedboat or private boat: six ways to Saona

Six boat days, lowest starting price first. Each row pairs a tour with the option that sets its price and the conditions that affect your day.

Catamaran, speedboat and natural pool	from $79 per adult	Saona Island Catamaran and Boat Tour with Natural Pool 34 reviews, 4.6 · Punta Cana and Bávaro pickup comes with lunch and drinks. Your pickup falls between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Ask if the park ticket is included. · dates and prices ↗
Boat day with meals and drinks	from $110 per adult	Speedboat Tour to Saona Island Vip with Open Bar and Meals! 37 reviews, 4.8 · The starting price buys the Low Cost option on Mondays and Wednesdays. It also runs on Fridays. Park entry is included, and your boat can be a catamaran or speedboat. VIP costs more. · dates and prices ↗
Saona and the Chavón River	from $135 per adult	Saona Island and Chavon River Tour with Lunch and Drinks 33 reviews, 4.9 · The starting price covers the shared tour on Mondays and Fridays. Children under 5 can't join. Cap Cana and Uvero Alto pickups cost extra in cash. Verón pickups do too. · dates and prices ↗
Private speedboat	from $155 per adult for 4 or more	Perfect Day at Saona Island by Speedboat - Completely Private 88 reviews, 4.7 · The adult price requires at least four adults. Your Punta Cana resort transfers and lunch are included. Ask about the park ticket before booking. · dates and prices ↗
Small group via Mano Juan	from $165 per person	Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour 1,572 reviews, 4.9 · You visit Mano Juan and El Abanico with up to two groups of 14 guests. Children aged 5 and under can't join. Canto de la Playa isn't included. Ask whether your price includes park entry. · dates and prices ↗
Private charter	from $2,400 per boat for up to 6	Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana 54 reviews, 5.0 · The starting price covers your group of up to six. Larger groups need a different option. Pickup can be at your hotel gate instead of its lobby. · dates and prices ↗

The catch: The private charter won't refund your cancellation. The other five trips allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.

Before you go

Ask whether your price includes the RD$250 park ticket per person. Bring pesos if it doesn't. A shirt with ultraviolet protection adds cover during a long day on the water.

Tours

Saona tours and boat trips

Saona Island tours 9 tours · from $79

The Saona list compares hotel pickups and island routes. You can choose a beach day or a trip with Mano Juan.

Catamaran and party boat tours 14 tours · from $46

The catamaran list compares sails and party boats. For an island visit, choose a route that names Saona among its stops.

Private boats, fishing and speedboats 14 tours · from $79

The boat list includes private charters and speedboats. Fares may cover a whole group, so compare the price basis and hotel pickup.

Know before you go

Park wristband

The RD$250 ticket per person comes as a wristband that proves payment. Some tours include the fee. Your tour's child price doesn't establish the park's child rate; ask separately for anyone under 12.

Plastic and foam

Single-use plastics and foam aren't allowed in Parque Nacional Cotubanamá. A reusable bottle avoids disposable drink containers. Your snorkeling stops need care too: don't touch coral or stir up sediment over it.

Mano Juan turtles

The community hatchery welcomes visitors without an entrance fee. Beach patrols run from June through November during nesting activity. Hatchlings aren't guaranteed when you arrive. Your route must include Mano Juan to visit.

The whole day

A typical hotel trip takes 9 to 10 hours. The Saona list spans 7 to 12 hours including travel time. Leave your evening free until you know the return time.

High season

December through April is the drier high season, though trips run year-round. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. You can't judge a crossing by the month alone.

Without a package

A boat hired in Bayahibe or La Romana lets you arrange your own visit. You still need the park ticket and a return crossing. Meals need arranging too; a private boat doesn't automatically include food or drinks.

Good to know