How to Get to Saona Island? And what about water temp? You dont have any strangers on the boat. It is recognized as one of the best diving / snorkeling spots in the Dominican Republic and even the Caribbean and it is not surprising due to its seabed full of corals, sea sponges and tropical fish. Are you ready to escape the crowded beaches of Bavaro or Bayahibe and explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean? Departing from your hotel at 7 am, the tour includes the same stops as our classic Saona Island excursion. Estoy contento de saber que disfrutaron de la lancha para ir a Isla Saona y las piscinas naturales de forma privada! Diving in Catalina Island reaches its maximum expression in places like The Wall or The Aquarium. If you want to snorkel, Catalina island has better snorkeling. Caribbean Life & Travel magazine has selected Isla Saonas unspoiled beaches as the best beaches of the Caribbean. Catalina Island vs. Saona Island - Dominican Republic - Cruise Critic Saona Island is a must if you come to spend your vacation in the Dominican Republic and its popularity is well deserved. At Mano Juan, you will find a few gift shops with typical souvenirs to take back home with you, stands with local art, and a small restaurant that serves fresh island food. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Saona Island is a beautiful Carribean destination to visit, but HOW you visit it matters a lot. Thats not surprising if you see the photos of this exclusive catamaran, which will bring you straight to paradise! 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. There were about 20 of us, and only two divers. Isla Saona (or in English Saona Island) is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in 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. GOOD NEWS! The ride from Bayahibe to Catalina by boat takes about 25 min. We are happy to announce that we are in the Bahamas! What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. The tours also include a free buffet with typical Dominican food, where you can eat as much as you want. This is the Caribbean Sea folks. Wondering if anyone has been to either or both of these islands as I'm trying to choose which option to decide upon. In case you just have 2 minutes and want to find the best Saona Island private tour immediately, check out the following table. Or perhaps you're planning your first visit to the island. Any information would be appreciated. Another difference between visiting Saona Island and Catalina Island is the price. Catalina is more recommended if you are in snorkeling and scuba diving. Catalina Island, a must in Dominican Republic | Saona Dreams Valid on days: Monday Wednesday and Friday. It has awning and a cooler with ice ready to go! Shop - Saona Island Tour & Excursion SALE (Ermitano Beach) Playa Ermitao Boat tour and Playa Onda, Half - Day Trip, Saman - Dominican Republic. Saona Island And then go for another relaxing swim! Food, Transfers and Drinks are NOT INCLUDED. There is also a Turtle Sanctuary in the village, where you can see both older turtles and hatchlings taking their first steps in the Caribbean Sea. Usually, on those big group tours, there is not much that can be done if you are not satisfied. Go with the pros to Saona! Boat Rentals & Yacht Charters in Dominican Republic, The Bahamas & St Private tours to Saona Island are already starting at 450 USD per group, which is a real bargain considering that you have the crew and boat all on your own. It has various natural beauties, such as its paradisiacal beaches with white sands and the crystalline waters that surround it live different species of birds and fish. Land and Jungle Excursions: And we don't forget the land part of the park. 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. The first stop will be Catalina Wall. If you feel that this itinerary might limit your expectations or it is not as much fun as it could be, you should continue reading below, as in this case, a private tour to Isla Saona might be exactly what you are looking for. At the island, you have plenty of time to enjoy your private lunch, the beautiful beach and refreshing drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The captain is included with the boat rental. Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 5.00/5)Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.92/5)Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.91/5)Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.78/5)Best excursion for families: Family Buggy Adventure* (rating 4.64/5)Not the right tour for you?Check out the 41 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog! Our last activity is for those who love scuba diving. Aparta-Hotel Villa Baya. We'll hit the Caribbean Sea on a speedboat and slowly cruise you back to the mainland on a spacious catamaran. Isla Saona is generally reached by boat from Bayahibe. However, any time of the year is perfect to visit these natural wonders. Think Sun, Sand, Booze, Boats and Bikinis! Most Saona Island tours leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. This route also starts at 7 am at your hotel, then you will go by catamaran from La Romana to Catalina Island. It is an island in the southeast of the country, dotted with palm-fringed beaches and surrounded by incredibly blue turquoise waters. Snorkeling at Saona is nothing special. Check out the 35 best Punta Cana tours! Want to create a unique itinerary for your. The reefs at Saona are considered among the TOP 3 in the country. 100% recomendable. Punta Cana Currency And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. Let's go there! 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 and share your adventures with friends and family. Tours to Isla Catalina are offering a relaxed cruise and have a snorkeling stop included. This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. After your visit to the natural pool, youll be on your way to Saona island to enjoy its wild beaches! Isla Catalina (Repblica Dominicana) - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre 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. How to find the best Private Tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? All itineraries are custom designed by the Captain in collaboration with you. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. MP3 / MOBILE MUSIC plugin. Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Looking for a private Saona Island tour? Still, let's take a closer look at the exact location of each of these islands. FROM USD175 P/P Diving Equipment, Instructor, Open Bar and Lunch . And the Cuba Libres flowed freely at the Natural Pool after:D. But highly recommend Seavis for the OP, they arrange the taxi and are just a top-notch outfit. Children under 3 are FREE! Saona or Catalina Island in Dominican Republic: Which to Choose? It is a Mediterranean village located on the banks of the Chavon River, also known as the City of Artists. Catalina for Scuba or just lazing, Saona for a BBQ and snorkelling X. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Book your Saona Island Tour now! Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email). Are you a small group or maybe even just a couple looking in getting away from the huge groups and the crowded Saona excursions? 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. Isla Saona is a relatively small island just 42 square kilometers long but it has a rich history. . The conventional way to visit Saona Island is to go on an excursion on a big boat with a crowd of people you do not know and a mediocre buffet lunch. I will design your tailor-made itinerary, tell you how to save money on your trip and send you the best insider tips and recommendations. Isla Saona and Isla Catalina are two of the most popular excursions when staying in Punta Cana. 3. Is the snorkeling low key or more advanced? Whats Included: Impuestos de parque incluido Saona Island | Best Tours in Punta Cana Motorcycle Gma, August 12, 2015 in Dominican Republic. It brings you to the most beautiful places of Isla Saona with a private speed boat. A catamaran trip to the island is one of the most attractive excursions you can do while vacationing in Punta Cana. While in most cases the safety measures are fine with hand sanitizer, face coverings and avoiding peoples congestion, the risk of transmitting Covid-19 can never be lowered to 0% especially with 70 other people on the boat. Excursion Isla Saona Vip - Related Sites - StatsCrop Some of them are: Those are just a few of the advantages when booking a private excursion to Saona Island and Catalina Island. : They all pretty much go to all the same stops. If you ever get hot during your Saona Island trip, simply go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or drink a cold Presidente! We traveled to the natural pool which is a beautiful Sandbar and were able to swim privately. It also offers a better snorkeling experience. The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. Most of the Saona Island excursions have a set amount of stops. Choose your destination: Palmilla Sandbank is the beach where the natural swimming pool is located. We start approximately 8:00 am from Bavaro - Punta Cana to Bayahibe. Saona Island ( Mano Juan and Canto de la Playa) (+$130.00 USD ), How many Passengers? You mentioned the wall. This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. It's an all day excursion with snorkeling and/or diving. The weather will accompany us and we will be able to bathe in the transparent water of the Caribbean. It is an area of the island that barely reaches 11 meters deep. Both islands are worth the visit and have their advantages, but your experiences will be a bit different. Saona Island VS Catalina Island ?? - La Romana Forum Catalina Island tour, snorkeling, paddle boarding , kayak on a beach with breakfast and lunch. covid-19 coverage): Book it*. Private tours are not cheap, especially when boat rides or catamaran cruises are included. On the other hand, if your intention is to enjoy a privileged environment where you can also snorkel or dive, you should choose Catalina Island. Some of Mano Juan residents make colorful paintings and art objects that they sell at typical shops and stands. Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. the best reefs are there.the island itself is not that great and the beach at your hotel is probably better. This is not to say that there's not big boats going to Catalina. Is It Safe to Travel to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Saona has areas that are contracted by many of the tour operators that do trips there so they have their own little area for each tour group to do their meals and drinks that are included with most trips. Even the Dominican Republic has its own (very extensive) hygiene protocol, which gets excellent reviews and international recognition, a group tour is still a group tour with many other people. $ 95 $ 70 Isla Saona natural pool is the largest natural pool in the world and there are lots of things you can do during your time there, from relaxing in the beautiful waters to dancing merengue on a boat and enjoying some Dominican rum! Thats just 100 USD per person for a private tour if you go with 15 people, which is much cheaper than most Isla Saona private tours. If you cancel the booking for any reason up to 14 days before the trip date, we will refund the deposit to you. All the information I send you are crafted with love and passion and are coming with a money-back guarantee. Un servicio impecable. Casa de Campo Sailing Catamaran Charter to Saona or Catalina Saona VIP is our most complete tour to visit this beautiful island. Difference between Saona and Catalina Islands - JackCana Tours Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. 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. At 17:00 we will head towards La Romana , from where we will return you to your hotel. If you are looking for a Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, click. 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. It is led by Negro, a local community organization, that gets turtle eggs from high-risk areas to a safe environment where they can hatch and then be returned to their natural habitat. Each one has different activities, and they are perfect for adults and children, either with family, friends or as a couple. ), I'm thinking of going to Catalina Island instead using Passion Paradise Adventures. These cheerful objects that soaked up the quintessential Dominican lifestyle are guaranteed to brighten up your home! Our private boat tours let you have the experience of your dreams! In our catalog you can also find a visit similar to the previous one, but in this case going from Altos de Chavn to the paradisiacal island of Saona. Started June 21, 2021, By Half Day Trip. For more information about both islands, check out my comprehensive Isla Catalina and Isla Saona guide. However, be careful not to touch the starfish you find because your sunscreen is toxic for them.