Things to do in Punta Cana › Punta Cana tours and activities › Saona Island tours › Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana
Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana
★ #4 of 9 in our Saona Island tours list Picked from the 201 Saona Island tours in the Punta Cana catalogue, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated the price every day; listing, departure times and pickup notes
El Tour Caribe runs a private motorized catamaran to Saona Island with wreck and reef stops. The 8-hour charter costs from $2,400 per boat for up to 6. Pickup covers most Punta Cana hotels. Starts are at 8 a.m. on Mondays and weekends, with dates varying. You can adjust the route so divers and snorkelers share the same day.
Our check
Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana at a glance
| Duration | 8 hours |
| Price | from $2,400 per boat for up to 6 |
| Boat | Private motorized catamaran with two decks |
| Stops | Atlantic Princess wreck and Peñon Reef, Saona beach and Palmilla natural pool |
| Departs | 8 a.m. on Mondays and weekends, dates vary |
| Pickup | Most Punta Cana hotels, assigned lobby or main gate |
| Group options | Up to 6 guests, or a larger group of 7 to 15 |
| Meals | Buffet lunch and open bar |
| Main trade-off | Operator approval required after booking |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, French |
| Cancellation | All sales final, no refund |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on .
What's included
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Unlimited drinks (open bar)
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Mojitos
- Dive equipment for certified divers
- DJ on the Boat
What's not included
- Gratuities
Options
Which option to book
Your standard charter takes up to 6 guests. The Larger Group Option takes 7 to 15 and costs more.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana · 6 seats | 8 a.m., Mon, Sat, Sun |
| Larger Group Option · 15 seats | 8 a.m., Mon, Sat, Sun |
The catch: The 8-hour charter needs operator approval after booking, and you can't cancel for a refund.
The day
How does the day work?
The charter moves from the Atlantic Princess wreck to Peñon Reef before beach time on Saona and a final Palmilla swim.
- 1
Punta Cana pickup
Your driver takes you from Punta Cana to the boat. Pickup can be at a hotel lobby or main gate.
- 2
Atlantic Princess wreck
Snorkeling starts at the Atlantic Princess shipwreck. Snacks follow on the way to the reef.
- 3
Peñon Reef
Divers and snorkelers share this reef stop. Divers are grouped by experience, with a maximum of 4 per guide.
- 4
Saona Island
You have beach time while certified divers take their second dive. Everyone meets for a buffet lunch afterward.
- 5
Palmilla natural pool
The sandbank is the last stop before the return. You can swim in the shallows.
- 6
Hotel return
The boat returns to your waiting road transfer. Your hotel is the final stop.
The drive from Punta Cana takes roughly 50 minutes. Hotel return is around 5 p.m., depending on location. Your private route can change if you'd rather stay longer at a stop.
Pickup and meeting point
- Pickup email: Your hotel name goes in the booking page's Special Requirements box. Pickup time and location arrive by email.
- Where to wait: Check the exact lobby or main gate in your pickup email. Hotels can have more than one lobby.
- Finding the driver: The driver has your name and an El Tour Caribe sign. Waiting by the lobby door keeps you visible.
- Dive papers: Bring your dive certification if you're joining the divers. Proof is required before you can take a certified dive.
Before you book
- Diving requires proof of certification and at least 18 hours between your last dive and your flight. El Tour Caribe recommends a 24-hour gap.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Certified divers traveling with snorkelers can keep their party on one boat. The standard option covers up to 6 guests. You need moderate fitness for the water activities. It won't suit plans you may need to cancel.
For private transfers without a dive program, Bia's speedboat costs from $155 per adult for 4 or more. For shared snorkeling, Visita's small group costs from $165 per person and stops at Palmilla and Bayahibe reef.
Who it's not for
- Travelers who need a refund if they cancel
- Anyone seeking a certified dive without certification
- Travelers unable to manage moderate physical activity
- Pregnant travelers
Good to know
Know before you go
Moderate fitness is required because swimming and changing currents can be demanding. The trip isn't recommended during pregnancy. The same restriction applies to spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Snorkeling equipment and gear for certified divers are supplied. Bring your own swimwear and towel for the water stops. Your proof of dive certification is needed if you plan to dive.
Light rain alone doesn't stop the charter. If weather prevents departure, El Tour Caribe tries to reschedule. A refund follows if rescheduling isn't possible under the trip's weather terms.
Your request needs operator approval after booking. The standard charter covers up to 6 guests. Parties of 7 to 15 need the Larger Group Option before their plans are settled.
Your pickup email identifies the correct lobby or main gate. The driver carries an El Tour Caribe sign. Arrive at that assigned spot where the driver can see you.
You can't cancel this charter for a refund once booked. Weather cancellation has separate terms. Your ticket is mobile, so keep it available with the pickup email on the day.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A private beach day
Perfect Day at Saona Island by Speedboat - Completely PrivateBia's 8-hour day uses a private speedboat and private road transfers. It costs from $155 per adult for 4 or more.
★ 4.7 · 88 reviews · from $155 per adult for 4 or more
Shared snorkeling with a small group
Small Group: Saona Island Full Day TourVisita caps its shared group at 14 from $165 per person. Your snorkeling stops are at Palmilla and Bayahibe reef.
★ 4.9 · 1,572 reviews · from $165 per person
A small group from Bayahibe
Saona Island Premium Discovery Tour from Punta Cana or BayahíbeAll 4Fun visits El Toro and Mano Juan from $110 per adult for 5 or more. That price covers Bayahibe or Dominicus pickup.
★ 4.9 · 46 reviews · from $110 per adult for 5 or more
All 9 Saona Island tours we picked · Punta Cana tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- What does El Tour Caribe's private Saona charter cost?
The charter starts from $2,400 per boat for up to 6, including hotel transfers and lunch. The price covers the boat for your party. A group of 7 to 15 needs the larger option, which costs more.
- Can divers and snorkelers share El Tour Caribe's Saona charter?
Yes, both can join the same private day with no more than 4 divers per guide. Divers are grouped by experience at the reef. You can snorkel while the certified divers take their dives, then meet again for lunch.
- Does El Tour Caribe's Saona charter include diving equipment?
Yes, equipment is included for certified divers on the 8-hour charter. You need evidence of certification to take part in those dives. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, so other members of your party can join the water stops.
- Does El Tour Caribe offer free cancellation for Saona?
No, there's no 24-hour free cancellation window for this charter. Your own cancellation receives no refund. If weather prevents the trip, the separate weather terms provide for rescheduling or a refund when rescheduling isn't possible.
- How much of El Tour Caribe's Saona day is on the road?
The drive from Punta Cana takes roughly 50 minutes, with traffic affecting the transfer. Your hotel location also affects the return. Plan around the stated return of around 5 p.m. and allow for the road conditions that day.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Tours book on the booking page at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.