All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Open Bar

Overview

The day starts with a coach ride to the Bayahibe cruise port, where you board a catamaran for the crossing. Drinks flow on board and Caribbean music sets the tone while the coastline slides past.

The first proper stop is a natural pool, a sandbar out in open water where you can stand in warm, shallow sea and see starfish. The boat pauses there for 30 to 40 minutes, which is enough time for a swim and photos. After that you continue to Saona itself, where the schedule allows three hours on the island to wander the beach, swim or simply find a patch of shade.

Lunch is a buffet on the island: BBQ, salad and typical Dominican dishes, with vegetarian options, plus unlimited beer and soft drinks. A professional guide travels with the group throughout. Reviews repeatedly mention the fun atmosphere on the boat, so anyone hoping for a calm, low-key cruise should factor that in. At the end of the day the coach takes you back to your hotel.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupA coach collects you from your hotel early in the morning, provided the transfer option is selected when booking.
2. Bus to BayahibeThe coach drives you to the Bayahibe cruise port, where the boat part of the day begins.
3. Sightseeing cruiseBoard a catamaran and cruise along the coast with an open bar and Caribbean music on board.
4. Natural pool stopThe boat stops for 30 to 40 minutes at a sandbar known as the largest natural swimming pool in the Caribbean. The water is shallow and warm, and starfish live there.
5. Saona IslandThree hours on the island to explore the beach, swim and relax. A buffet lunch is served here, with vegetarian options available.
6. Return and drop-offThe listing shows 22 possible drop-off locations.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what past travellers and the listing say the day actually feels like, so you can pack and plan for it.

• Packing list. Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat and a camera. The listing specifically asks for biodegradable sunscreen to protect the marine ecosystem, so leave regular lotion at home if you can. A reusable water bottle is also recommended.
• Footwear and clothing. Wear light clothes and shoes that work for walking on sand, as the listing advises. You will be on a boat, a sandbar and a beach, so anything stiff or dressy is a poor choice.
• Group feel. Several travellers described good music and a fun atmosphere on the boat, with drinks from the open bar. Expect a sociable ride rather than a quiet cruise.
• Food and drink. The buffet covers BBQ, salad and Dominican dishes with vegetarian options, and beer and soft drinks are unlimited. Several travellers called the lunch good, so it works as a solid midday break between swims.
• Beach time. You get a solid three hours on Saona, which reviewers said was plenty for swimming and relaxing.
• Respect the wildlife. Starfish live at the natural pool, and the listing asks visitors to observe animals without disturbing them. Follow the guide's instructions for a safe day, and stay hydrated throughout.

Common issues. The buffet has a limited selection, as one reviewer noted. Some feedback on the booking platform asks for clearer information about group size and boat type before departure, so expectations about crowding may vary. Towels, snorkeling gear and gratuities are not included, and neither are alcoholic drinks beyond the beer and soft drinks listed. The day runs about nine hours with an early start. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

Common Questions