Things to do in Punta Cana › Punta Cana tours and activities › Saona Island tours › Saona Island and Chavon River Tour with Lunch and Drinks
Saona Island and Chavon River Tour with Lunch and Drinks
★ #8 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
Xcape Tours combines a Chavón River boat ride with a Saona Island beach day. The shared tour takes 12 hours and costs from $135 per adult. You get Bávaro hotel pickup for the 9 a.m. departures on Mondays and Fridays. A private option runs daily at 9 a.m. for up to 12 guests.
Our check
Saona Island and Chavon River Tour with Lunch and Drinks at a glance
| Duration | 12 hours |
| Price | from $135 per adult |
| Boat | Motomaran in the shared option, speedboat in the general itinerary |
| Stops | Chavón River and Saona, with natural pool stops |
| Departs | Shared: Monday and Friday at 9 a.m. Private: daily at 9 a.m. |
| Pickup | Bávaro hotels, extra cash charges in outlying areas |
| Group | Up to 120 guests shared, up to 12 private |
| Meals | Buffet in a reserved area and domestic open bar |
| Main trade-off | Extra pickup charges outside Bávaro |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
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 . Children pay less.
What's included
- Domestic Open Bar (Bottled Water, Rum, Beer, Soft Drinks)
- Buffet Style Lunch in a Private Area
- Private Beach Areas Reserved for our Tour
- Light Snacks
- Customers Who Book The Private Tour Option Get One Pineapple Pina Colada Per Person a Value of $10
What's not included
- Hotels in Cap Cana & Uvero alto have an extra cost of 15 USD per person payable in cash upon pickup
- Hotels in Veron have an extra cost of 10 USD per person payable in cash the day of the tour
- If your hotel is outside our pick up area we will provide a nearby meeting point
Options
Which option to book
Regular Shared leaves at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays. The private option leaves daily at 9 a.m. with your own road transport and boat.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Regular Shared Tour | 9 a.m., Mon, Fri |
| Up to 12 People Private Tour | 9 a.m., daily |
The catch: Cap Cana or Uvero Alto pickup costs extra in cash on top of your 12-hour tour.
The day
How does the day work?
The boat route follows the Chavón River before the marina and Saona's natural pools.
- 1
Hotel pickup
Your day starts with a road transfer from your pickup point. You'll receive the collection time the day before.
- 2
Chavón River
The boat follows the river toward the Caribbean Sea. This part of the ride passes the river's wooded banks.
- 3
Marina Casa de Campo
The route reaches the marina after the river ride. You see the waterfront before continuing toward the national park.
- 4
Natural pools
The natural pools bring a break from the boat ride. Drinks and entertainment are part of this stop.
- 5
Saona beach
Your island time leaves room to explore the shore. The buffet is served in an area reserved for the tour.
The 12-hour day includes 9 hours allocated to travel. Individual stop times and the return point aren't specified.
Pickup and meeting point
- Hotel collection: Pickup is scheduled 90 minutes before the tour starts. Your hotel determines where you'll meet the vehicle.
- Voucher: Your voucher is emailed the day before the trip. Your full name at pickup is also enough to join.
- Cash for pickup: Bring cash for pickup from Cap Cana or Uvero Alto. Verón also requires an extra cash payment.
Before you book
- The shared option names a motomaran, while the general itinerary describes a speedboat. Check your boat type and hotel pickup charge with Xcape before booking.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The Chavón River section suits you if you want more than Saona beach time. You'll need 12 hours for the trip. Shared bookings fit a Monday or Friday, while the private option takes up to 12 guests daily.
For a 9-hour day, Visita's small group costs from $165 per person and includes Mano Juan. For an 8-hour private outing, Bia's speedboat costs from $155 per adult for 4 or more.
Who it's not for
- Children under 5
- Pregnant travelers
- Anyone with less than 12 hours for the trip
- Travelers expecting a guaranteed boat type
Good to know
Know before you go
Guests must be at least 5 years old and infants can't join. Pregnant travelers are also excluded. The boat outing isn't recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.
Bring swimwear and a towel for the beach day. Your hotel area may also require cash for an extra transfer charge. Sunscreen and a hat belong with your personal supplies.
Departure depends on weather and enough travelers joining. The shared tour's maximum is 120 guests. That upper limit doesn't state how many bookings are needed for the trip to run.
One reservation takes up to 15 travelers and needs an adult. The private option is limited to 12 guests. Your booking is accepted immediately, with a mobile ticket for the tour.
Pickup time and a new voucher arrive the day before. Your full name is enough at collection if you don't have the voucher ready. The pickup window is 90 minutes before departure.
Your cancellation is fully refundable at least 24 hours before scheduled departure. Later cancellations receive no refund. Check your hotel area before booking because an extra pickup charge may affect your choice.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A shorter day with Mano Juan
Small Group: Saona Island Full Day TourVisita's 9-hour trip costs from $165 per person. Your day includes breakfast in Mano Juan and snorkeling at Palmilla.
★ 4.9 · 1,572 reviews · from $165 per person
An 8-hour private outing
Perfect Day at Saona Island by Speedboat - Completely PrivateBia's 8-hour trip costs from $155 per adult for 4 or more. You get a private speedboat and private road transfers.
★ 4.7 · 88 reviews · from $155 per adult for 4 or more
A beach and natural pool day
Speedboat Tour to Saona Island Vip with Open Bar and MealsParaViajantes' Low Cost option costs from $110 per adult for an 8-hour day. Park entry is covered, though VIP table service isn't.
★ 4.8 · 37 reviews · from $110 per adult
All 9 Saona Island tours we picked · Punta Cana tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- What is Xcape's Saona and Chavón River tour price?
The shared trip starts from $135 per adult and takes 12 hours. The price covers a buffet in a reserved area and a domestic open bar. Some hotel areas add a cash pickup charge, so accommodation affects what you spend.
- Does Xcape's Saona tour include free Cap Cana pickup?
No, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto pickup each add $15 per person in cash. Verón pickup adds $10 per person in cash. These transfer charges are separate from your tour ticket.
- Can children under 5 take Xcape's Saona river tour?
No, the participation minimum is 5 and infants are excluded. Children aged 5 to 10 have child tickets, with adult prices beginning at 11. Your booking must include an adult even when everyone else qualifies for a child ticket.
- Can Xcape's Saona and Chavón River tour be private?
Yes, the private option runs daily at 9 a.m. for up to 12 guests. It includes your own road transport and boat with a guide. You pay more for that option than for the shared Monday or Friday departure.
- How much travel is in Xcape's Saona river day?
Travel accounts for 9 hours within the 12-hour outing. The river ride and sea journey are central parts of your day. It isn't a full day on Saona's sand, so pick it for the boat route as well as the beach.
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.