Isla Saona
★★★ The Postcard Island
Isla Saona is the most popular day trip in the entire Dominican Republic — and despite mass tourism, still a dream. The island is located in the Parque Nacional del Este and offers everything one imagines about the Caribbean: powdery white sand, turquoise water so shallow that you can wade 200 meters in, and dozens of starfish in knee-deep water.
Most tours start from Bayahíbe (30 minutes by speedboat or 1.5 hours by catamaran). The standard tour includes:
- Speedboat or catamaran to Saona (with rum punch on board)
- Stop at the Piscina Natural — a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea with starfish
- 3–4 hours on the beach of Isla Saona (Playa Palmilla or Playa Catuano)
- Lunch (BBQ buffet on the beach)
- Return by catamaran with music and dance
Price: 60–90 USD from Punta Cana (including transport, boat, lunch). Booking through resort desk or local providers (cheaper). Tip: The tour directly from Bayahíbe is 20–30 USD cheaper than from Punta Cana.
💡 Tipp
Book a tour with a catamaran there and a speedboat back (or vice versa) — this way you experience both. And come early: the island gets crowded from noon. For a more private beach, ask about tours to the neighboring Isla Catalina — smaller, quieter.