Catalina Island, All-Inclusive

Overview

The day starts with hotel pickup in Punta Cana and a drive to the cruise port of La Romana, where the boat portion begins. From there a catamaran heads out to a coral reef for the first stop of the day: snorkeling over tropical fish, seagrass, and coral formations, with gear provided. After the reef, the boat crosses to Catalina Island itself, a protected islet inside Cotubanamá National Park, and the rest of the day is yours on the sand and in the water. An all-you-can-eat Dominican lunch and drinks are part of the package, and the return leg lands back at the hotel roughly nine hours after pickup.

It suits travellers who want a beach day with a structured spine: transport, park admission, snorkeling equipment, food, and an open bar of soft drinks, water, rum, and beer are all handled. The listing names a Spanish-speaking guide and five tour languages, so confirm yours when booking; reviews praise punctual drivers and helpful crews. Onboard entertainment is part of the catamaran crossing.

One point of friction worth planning around: lunch is not served until midday, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, and the operator suggests bringing snacks since there is little time to buy food en route. The boat is boarded barefoot, so sandals and dry clothes for the end of the day both earn their place in the bag.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from your Punta Cana hotel at the agreed time, followed by the drive to La Romana.
2. Board the catamaranAt the cruise port of La Romana the group boards the catamaran for the crossing.
3. Snorkeling stopThe first stop is a coral reef, where you can snorkel among tropical fish, seagrass, and coral formations. Gear is included.
4. Crossing to CatalinaDrinks are served during the crossing, including soft drinks, water, rum, and beer, with entertainment onboard.
5. Catalina Island beach timeOnce anchored at Isla Catalina Beach, the rest of the day is free for swimming and relaxing, with drinks available. An all-you-can-eat Dominican lunch is served at midday.
6. ReturnThe catamaran sails back to La Romana, then the vehicle returns you to your hotel about nine hours after pickup.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from the barefoot boarding to the late lunch.

• What to bring. The listing recommends a towel, flip-flops, and beachwear, plus sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen for the hot Dominican sun. Bring dry clothes and shoes to change into at the end, and a bag for wet items that can stay on the bus.
• Footwear on board. Sandals and water shoes work best, since the catamaran is boarded barefoot.
• Food timing. Lunch is not served until between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, and the operator advises bringing snacks because there is very little time to buy food on the way.
• Swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling gear is included.
• Group feel. The crossing includes drinks from the open bar and entertainment onboard the catamaran.
• Crowds. Reviews split on crowds: several say Catalina felt far quieter than Saona, while one found it more crowded than Saona.

Common issues. The main recurring gripes are timing and communication: the summarized reviews say some travellers wanted clearer, more timely updates during delays and schedule changes. The listing flags real exclusions too, namely packed breakfast, professional photos, dishes outside the all-you-can-eat buffet, and drinks beyond the open bar. Strollers and baby carriages are not allowed, and the long morning before lunch means snacks are worth packing.

Common Questions