Two Hours On The Beach

Overview

This day trip pairs two very different rides to Saona Island: a speedboat one way and a sailing catamaran the other, with hours on the island in between. Everything starts with hotel pickup, depending on the option chosen at checkout, followed by a bus ride of about 75 minutes to Bayahibe, the fishing village where the boats leave from. Total duration runs between 7 and 11 hours.

On the catamaran leg the sails go up along the coastline of Cotubanama National Park, with local rum, beer and soft drinks flowing and merengue or bachata playing. Once at Saona, the guide points out the open bar, buffet, toilets, deckchairs and hammocks, and the time on the island is free: swimming, photos, a nap or another drink. The listing gives about 2.5 hours on Saona, including lunch and a guided tour.

Before heading back, the boat stops at the natural swimming pool, a sandbar where the water is shallow and translucent and giant starfish live. Guests step off via a ladder for a swim, and a rum tasting with music closes out the day before the return to Bayahibe and the bus.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup location depends on the option selected at checkout. The transfer bus then runs about 75 minutes toward Bayahibe.
2. Bayahibe departureParticipants gather on the beach in Bayahibe, meet the guide and board a shuttle boat to reach the vessels.
3. Speedboat to SaonaA 45-minute speedboat crossing to the island.
4. Saona IslandRoughly 3 hours on the island with open bar, buffet lunch, a guided tour and free time for swimming, sunbathing and photos.
5. Natural pool stopA motorboat takes guests to the natural swimming pool, with a 30-minute stop to swim in the shallow water among the giant starfish.
6. Catamaran returnA 105-minute catamaran sail back toward Bayahibe, with drinks and music on board.
7. Return transferThe boat docks at Bayahibe and the bus takes about 75 minutes back, with drop-off at one of the locations depending on the chosen option.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before booking this tour.

• What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops and beachwear. Towels are not provided, so bring your own.
• Drinks and food. The open bar covers beer, rum and soft drinks, and a full buffet lunch is served on the beach. A few reviewers wished the meal and drink selection had more variety, so temper expectations there.
• Group feel. Several reviewers praised the atmosphere on the catamaran and the animation team; one noted the island itself gets busy with tourists.
• Pace and boarding. Expect boat-to-bus transfers and some waiting at coordination points, a point several reviewers raised. Footwear that slips on and off easily helps at boarding.
• Order of transport. The direction of the speedboat and catamaran legs can vary; one reviewer did the catamaran with the fiesta on the way out and would have preferred the reverse. The listing itself only commits to one leg on each type of boat.
• Snorkeling gear. Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own if you want to snorkel, and note that towels, lobster, photo service and tips are also excluded.

Common issues. The main complaints are organisational rather than about the destination. Some travellers reported waiting at pickups and boat transfers, and wished coordination and timing were tighter so more time stayed on the island. One reviewer said the transfer bus lacked seat belts, and another wished the meal and drinks had more variety and that water bottles were provided on the return boat and bus.

Common Questions