Saona Island: The Tropical Paradise of the Dominican Republic

When you think of coming on holidays to Punta Cana you think not only of the hotel, but also of all the activities you can do to experience the beauty of the country.

And if we had to choose the most popular, sought-after excursion among tourists, that would have to be Saona Island.

Not to be missed

Saona Island is a veritable tropical paradise. Its natural beauty is breath-taking, with white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a sense of isolation that makes you feel you are in your own private corner of the Caribbean.

This island is located just south of the Dominican Republic, within the Cotubanamá National Park, formerly known as the Parque Nacional del Este, 70 kilometres from Punta Cana, in the extreme southeast of the Dominican Republic.

→ approximately one hour’s travel time from our Princess Punta Cana Hotel.

1. Paradisiacal beaches

Saona Island beaches are, simply put, spectacular.

Soft white sands, turquoise waters and palm trees swaying in the sea breeze await you everywhere on the island.

Among the most exquisite beaches this beautiful island has to offer are El Toro, Canto de la Playa, and Costa Romantica.

Your photos here will be simply stunning! Surely this is the perfect setting that comes to mind whenever you think of the Caribbean.

2. Town of Mano Juan

Should the urge take you during your visit, you’ll have every opportunity to meet the locals and learn more about Dominican culture.

One way to do this is by visiting Mano Juan, a small, charming fishing village where you can stroll around, browsing a host of stalls selling souvenirs and mementos as well as a number restaurants offering the typical local dish, fried fish.

3. Colourful Reefs

Being part of natural park means the underwater richness of this area is truly amazing, and offers a dazzling array of fish, corals and marine life to the delight of anyone wishing to dive its crystalline waters.

Another notable tourist attraction is the remains of an 18th-century Spanish galleon that can be found on the Caballo Blanco reef.

An excursion here is a dream come true for all dive and snorkel lovers.

4. Turtle Sanctuary

In season (usually March to September) another amazing activity is to watch baby turtles in the sanctuary.

This site was designed specifically to help recovery of the various species of sea turtle in the area

The sanctuary offers protection and care for these animals and assists in the recovery of populations in danger of extinction.

5. Cotubanamá Cave

Cotubanamá Cave is a site of great interest that can be comfortably reached on foot from a place called Catuano (mosquito repellent is recommended).

The cave is home to some remains of Taino painting. Legend has it that a Taino cacique hid in this cave, though he died shortly following the arrival of the Spaniards.

6. Natural Pools

Saona Island’s natural pool is perfect for enjoying crystalline, shallow waters that are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and admiring the marine life.

It is reputed to be the largest natural pool in the world and its shallow, calm, transparent waters make it the perfect place to cool off while watching colourful fish and impressive starfish.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that starfish should not be taken out of the water or manipulated in order to take pictures. While we know this is a widespread practice among tourists, we must act responsibly and not give in to temptation.

How to get to Saona Island

Saona Island can be reached by boat from Bayahibe by one of two options:

• Either you drive yourself (car rental, taxi etc.) to Bayahibe.
• Or you book an organised excursion that includes transfer from the Princess hotels to Bayahibe.

Once in Bayahibe, if you went with the organised tour option, they will tell you which boat you need. If you took the self-drive option you will find suppliers offering excursions to Saona.

The most common options are either a fun catamaran ride or an exciting speedboat ride. Either way, you’ll be sailing along the coastline of one of the Dominican Republic’s largest national parks.

If your choice is to book the excursion with an organised tour that will take care of everything, remember to visit the lobbies of our Punta Cana Princess Hotels, where you will find representatives of excursion organisations, or you can book online here: https://princess.nexustours.com/

If you decide to go it on your own, our advice is not to leave too late, as space is limited.

Another important factor to bear in mind is that every excursion is different, and may include visits to different beaches, different lunch and drink options, or even different stop-off points for discovering the beauty of Saona and its surroundings, so it’s important, once you know which options you are interested in, to read the descriptions carefully.

In short, Saona Island is a hidden treasure in the Dominican Republic that offers an unforgettable experience, so if you’re planning a trip to any of our Princess Hotels in Punta Cana, be sure to include an excursion to this Caribbean gem in your itinerary for an adventure you’ll never forget.

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Categories: Caribbean, Tips, Punta Cana