You will be able to request those services while completing your booking process. Very helpful, glad to hear about the recent experiences! No matter what your interests are, Catalina Island offers something for you. If you ever get hot during your Saona Island trip, simply go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or drink a cold, The village of Mano Juan is still there and is one of the two charming fishing villages on Isla Saona, along with a village called Catuano. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. With its white sand, turquoise waters, and an abundance of palm trees, it truly looks like a slice of Paradise! Pros/Cons? Then you will go to a privileged space at the beach of Saona, area equipped with chaise longue, canopy beds, open bar and a typical Dominican buffet. Seriously, white sand AND palm trees? There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Puerto Plata. However, be careful not to touch the starfish you find because your sunscreen is toxic for them. How to get to the Saona island is only arriving from the public beach of Bayahibe, from there you can hire us in different options in package tours, or renting a boat or catamaran yacht . When arriving at this picture-perfect island with its stunning coastline, you will feel like you are in paradise. Catalina Island is uninhabited. The captain is included with the boat rental. The island of Saona is the most visited island in the Dominican Republic. Its transparent waters in beaches such as the East, West and North, make putting on your goggles and diving an experience. Find out in this article what other advantages you have on Saona Island and Catalina Island when booking a private tour. Visit Saona Island, an idyllic speck of sand and palm trees in the blue Caribbean, during a full-day tour from Punta Cana. Choose your destination: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is the most basic experience to visit the Catalina Island National Park, where you will be able to see its most famous places. Gabriele il Toscano Escursioni & Diving discounts - what to see at Dominicus - check out reviews and 4 photos for Gabriele il Toscano Escursioni & Diving - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Gabriele il Toscano Escursioni & Diving Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. Both meet the prototype of Caribbean paradise islands, with crystal clear waters and beaches of fine yellow sand that lend themselves to spend a day of scandal. However, this is different for private tours, which is why I would lean more towards Isla Saona if I had to choose where to go on a private excursion from Punta Cana with my friends or family. Saona Island then remained uninhabited for a long period of time. 14 From Los Melones: Saona Island Day Trip with Lunch. Plus, they have not responded to my reservation request. It depends what you meany by "better". Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. You will see the natural swimming pool with some starfish, have (sometimes) a quick mediocre snorkeling stop (please note that Isla Saona is not a snorkeling excursion check out this post if you are looking for better snorkeling options), cruise along the coastline of the national park with an ocean catamaran and have a speed boat ride the other way back. You get the boat, the open bar and the food. Some of them have even been married in some of its beautiful chapels and amphitheaters. You can relax on the beach with a cocktail or a soft drink or join in a volleyball game. Check out the following options for some additional Isla Saona private tours for up to 10, sometimes even 12 people. Snorkeling at Saona is nothing special. SHARING IS CARING! Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and Id love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana. Isla Saona gets visited every day by thousands of tourists. History of Saona Island FROM USD175 P/P Diving Equipment, Instructor, Open Bar and Lunch . I want the free e-book "15 amazing things-to-do for free in Punta Cana"! Save. As you can read in my review about Isla Catalina, it further scores with its catamaran cruise, as you can enjoy it both ways as opposed to the combined speed boat-/catamaran ride to Isla Saona. How to find the best Private Tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? The element that contributes most to the marine fauna is the coral reef that surrounds the island. Saona is not a tiny off-shore key. $ 95 $ 70 Getting to know the way of life on a small Caribbean island is a cultural immersion that can be done in the village of Mano Juan. It belongs to the Cotubanama National Park and is fully protected by the Dominican government because of its abundant and wild natural life. On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. We will make our first stop in the middle of the ocean to Snorkel or Dive (depends the program youve booked) with some of our professional guides in the water with the most marine fauna in the Caribbean. You dont have any strangers on the boat. If you are looking for a Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, click. Catalina Island Hi we were just on the Proexcursion to Sonoa last week. There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. From exploring the natural swimming pools to spotting rare animals, we got you covered! https://www.proexcursionsbayahibe.com/en/index.html, Awesome thank you for lmk your experience :). Saona Island is located southeast of the Dominican Republic. I asked a resident of Bayahibe about the present seaweed conditions and they are very bad around Punta Cana but Bayahibe and areas nearby are very clean, beaches look gorgeous around Bayahibe and Saona. You can get a message on a gorgeous white sand beach under the swaying palm trees with a pina colada by your side and feel yourself again. : Check out the following widget with some alternative tours. Is It Safe to Travel to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It is an island in the southeast of the country, dotted with palm-fringed beaches and surrounded by incredibly blue turquoise waters. Especially in these unprecedented times, private tours are offering an enormous extra value compared to standard group excursions: safety and health. Social distancing can be enforced. Mano Juan is the bigger village on the island but still has only about 500 residents who dedicate their lives to fishing, making art, and living in tranquilidad (Spanish for tranquility!). Saona Island tourism remains largely unaffected by the pandemic. Best Things To Do on Saona Island Even the particular beach you visit always depends on the company you book with, but chances are that you visit a less crowded part of the island. It is about an hour from most all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana to where the boat leaves. Whala!Bayahibe As indicated at the beginning of this article, Isla Catalina is less visited than Isla Saona thats also why there are fewer companies for private tours. So, if we like snorkeling, Saona is not the best for this? What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? Powered by Invision Community. There is one more geographic curiosity about Saona. These cheerful objects that soaked up the quintessential Dominican lifestyle are guaranteed to brighten up your home! If you are interested in group tours and regular excursions, please check this article for Saona Island and this one for Catalina Island.Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? The second one will be in a much more relaxed spot, since in The Aquarium we will go down to 8 meters deep, where you will be able to get to know a wonderful underwater world. Whats Included: Impuestos de parque incluido We are happy to announce that we are in the Bahamas! So, now you are wondering: Where is Saona Island?. Beach and natural pool were beautiful, no seaweed problem there at all. Do you need help planning a customized vacation in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic? With the current price of 450 US (subject to change), it is just 75 US per person an unbeatable bargain. and share your adventures with friends and family. In between all of this, youll enjoy a simple but tasty Dominican lunch and, of course, a lot of rum. And if Catalina impresses underwater, it also does so on the surface. Tourism During Covid Excellent choice highly recommended! If you dont find the right offer among those private tours and you are looking for other excursions to Isla Saona, feel free to send me an email to puntacanatravelblog (at) gmail (dot) com. Visiting Saona Island is usually a day trip and you will be back in your hotel by the early evening, so there is no need to search for accommodations on Saona Island. What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? Motorcycle Gma, August 12, 2015 in Dominican Republic. Posee una superficie aproximada de 9,6 . Especially when traveling with a large family or small group, the prices are absolutely affordable. Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists dont visit it as often as Saona Island. Let's go there! Saona Island, Dominican Republic: Final Thoughts. Hotels Pick-up. Wondering if anyone has been to either or both of these islands as I'm trying to choose which option to decide upon. Thats particularly important in times of. If youve been wanting to reconnect with your natural side, visiting Isla Saona should be a must-do for your Caribbean vacation! Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. Yes, it's a killer combination. . I know it is sometimes boring to read all those articles with all my personal experiences and recommendations. If you want to enjoy a day of relaxation in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Dominican Republic, your choice should be Saona Island. We use the same quality standards as for our boat tours. The island is part of the trio of adjacent islands in the southeast of the country along with the Saona and the Catalinita. This full-day Saona Island tour includes a buffet lunch served beneath shady palm trees, round-trip transport by sailing catamaran, drinks on board the boat, and four hours of free time to experience Saona Island at your own pace. There are two places worth exploring while diving: El Muro, an impressive wall that plunges into the Caribbean Sea, reaching a depth of about 100 meters; and El Acuario, where the dive is 11 meters, full of coral formations, where you can find some of the most typical species of the Caribbean Sea such as seahorses, the famous lion fish or toad fish, among others. It has awning and a cooler with ice ready to go! Book Online! Oscar himself met us on the beach with our drinks which we paid for on the Internet and even helped us get on our boat. Saona Island is a beautiful Carribean destination to visit, but HOW you visit it matters a lot. 100% recomendable. Some of the ordinary group. covid-19 coverage): Book it*. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. But the highlight of the activity is the visit to the village of Mano Juan, where you can meet the inhabitants of the island. The staff is just there for you. With a private tour, you can have a more exclusive experience. If so, check out our comprehensive Punta Cana Excursion Guide with the most exciting 40+ activities for your vacation. However, this shouldnt mean that a visit to Isla Catalina is not worth-to-go by no means. In this case, have a look at the cheapest Saona Island private tours which are more affordable than you might think. As if that were not enough, after visiting this iconic place you can snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Catalina Island, putting the finishing touch to a perfect day. Where to Stay in Saona Island Catalina Island, also known as Ikiita Island, is considered a Protected Natural Park and is located half an hour by boat from Casa de Campo in La Romana. Saona and Catalina Island for only $45 USD per adult and $30 USD per child. Catalina for Scuba or just lazing, Saona for a BBQ and snorkelling X. Saona Island is located just off the coast of Punta Cana and Bayahibe and you can expect the quintessential Caribbean weather: warm, sunny, and simply beautiful! I have summarized the best Saona private tours for you in this comprehensive overview. Do you remember the gorgeous Bounty Chocolate commercials that showed off a deserted island with a gorgeous white sand beach and turquoise waters? Breakfast was a bun and a drink. B&B Villa Luna. Did you use Seavis or go through Carnival? Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? If you are traveling with a large family or a group of friends, the prices of a private tour can be even more affordable than if booked individually. You can get to Saona Island from Punta Cana or Bayahibe. Of course, we would recommend visiting both, but if you can only decide on one, we leave you a brief comparison to help you choose. A private tour to Isla Saona or Isla Catalina comes with many advantages. In fact, from this town in the south of the Dominican Republic we can perfectly see Catalina Island. Due to the seaweed problem at Saona Island (can anyone confirm this that's been lately? They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. Estoy contento de saber que disfrutaron de la lancha para ir a Isla Saona y las piscinas naturales de forma privada! The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. Saona VIP is our most complete tour to visit this beautiful island. Have not read reports of seaweed at these locations but it has been a huge issue throughout the Carib this year. We give you rum and you may find a starfish or two at your feet. Started August 27, 2021, By . Isla Catalina offers a more intimate experience because it is a quieter island and tourists don't visit it as often as Saona Island. ATV + El Valle Beach & Waterfalls, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Pedernales, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Snorkeling & Lunch, Birdwatching in Los Haitises National Park, Birdwatching Punta Cana Birding Tours from Punta Cana to Los Haitises National Park, Catalina Island and Snorkeling with Catamaran Party From Punta Cana Half Day Experience. Is turquoise, transparent ocean water your thing? Just if snorkeling is important for you or if you have already been to Isla Saona, Isla Catalina might be the better pick for you. Food good, excellent staff for pro excursions. Did you like this article and would like to read all new stories about Punta Cana and beyond? This price is for Children 4 to 8 years of age. Hotel El Eden. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It's up to you whether you want to discover one of the islands or, if you have enough time, venture to know the two little jewels of the Dominican Republic. You will feel unique in the world, and even more so when you visit the natural pool, where you can see starfish and walk to infinity without being covered by the water. Book your, Saona Island, Dominican Republic: Final Thoughts, Ready to discover Saona Island? A stop is made at the natural pool in front of Palmilla Beach, where the water will reach your waist and you can enjoy a spectacular natural environment. 10 people max. Refrigerator. Departing from your hotel at 7 am, the tour includes the same stops as our classic Saona Island excursion. DESCRIPTION. All of this is included in your private catamaran excursion to Saona Island for up to 15 people (just lunch and the national park fee is extra in case youd like to book it). Sorry we have not used that outfit. Hop on board, sail along the Caribbean Sea, feel the ocean breeze and sip on an ice-cold beer or a delicious Cuba Libre.