Max 20 Group, Speedboat Round Trip

Punta Cana: Saona Island in a Small Group (Max. 20): Speedboat Round Trip

★ 4.8 29 verified reviews

10 hours, hotel pickup listed, lunch included.

from $110 per person

Check Price & Availability →

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Punta Cana (Bavaro Hotel Zone)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Advenza Tours

Overview

This Saona day trip from Punta Cana keeps the headcount low and the boat fast. Instead of a catamaran carrying dozens, travellers ride a speedboat with a group capped at 20, which reviewers repeatedly say pays off because the boat reaches each stop ahead of the larger vessels and leaves more time at each one.

The day starts with hotel pickup in Punta Cana, Uvero Alto, Cabeza de Toro or Bayahibe, followed by a coach ride to the departure point. From there the speedboat crosses the Catuano Channel toward Saona, with a guide who speaks English, Spanish, French, German or Portuguese and shares background on Cotubanama National Park along the way. Snacks and drinks are served in the shallow water during the stop at the natural pool. On Saona itself, reserved loungers wait on the beach and free time runs to four hours.

Food and drink are covered throughout. An all-you-can-eat Dominican buffet with rice, chicken, fish and salad forms the main meal, seafood from the catch of the day is served, and beer, rum, coffee and soft drinks flow all day, with a glass of sparkling wine to finish. The return leg drops everyone in Bayahibe before the coach ride back, with an optional artisan shop stop that includes a free tasting of Dominican coffee, cocoa and chocolate. It suits travellers who want the Saona highlights without a crowd, and one reviewer described the day as family friendly.

What's Included

Included

Pick-up from your hotel in Punta Cana
Round-trip speedboat transfer
Professional multilingual tour guide (English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese)
Stop at Saona's natural pool
Reserved lounge chairs on the beach
Dominican all-you-can-eat lunch
Fresh seafood selected from the catch of the day
Complimentary glass of sparkling wine
Beers, rum, coffee, Coca-Cola, 7UP, and other soft drinks
Hotel drop-off
Optional stop at an artisan shop with a complimentary tasting of Dominican coffee, cocoa, and chocolate

Not Included

Souvenirs and personal shopping
Piña coladas and premium drinks not included in the open bar
Beachside massages and wellness services
Professional photography service
Tips (optional)

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup is offered from four zones: Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana, Bayahibe and Uvero Alto.
Coach transferA bus or coach carries the group toward the departure point, a ride of 1 hour.
Speedboat crossingThe speedboat leg to the Saona area takes 45 minutes.
Cotubanama National Park breakA 30-minute break in the park, with the guide explaining the Catuano Channel and the surrounding area.
Saona Island free timeFour hours on the island with reserved loungers, swimming, photos and the Dominican buffet lunch.
Speedboat returnThe boat heads back to Bayahibe, another 45-minute crossing.
Coach transfer backA 1-hour bus or coach ride toward the drop-off zones.
Artisan shop visitAn optional 20-minute stop at Taino Gifts in Punta Cana, with a complimentary tasting of coffee, cocoa, Mamajuana and Dominican chocolate.
Hotel drop-offDrop-off is available in Bayahibe, Uvero Alto, Punta Cana and Cabeza de Toro.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day actually feels, from what to pack to how the small-group promise holds up in practice.

Pack for sea and sun. The listing recommends a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and light clothing, plus water shoes since the day happens at sea. A hat and sandals round out the sensible kit.
Speedboat pace. Reviewers describe the crossing as fast and, in one word, intense, and several note that the speed is the point, since the boat overtakes catamarans and reaches stops first. Anyone sensitive to spray or a bumpy ride should factor that in.
Crowds vary. The cap is 20, but one reviewer counted a few more and said the service held up fine. Travellers wanting a strict headcount should expect a small group rather than a private boat.
Food and drink. Lunch is an all-you-can-eat buffet with rice, chicken, fish, pasta, salad and fruit, and reviewers consistently rate the food well. Beer, rum, coffee and soft drinks are included, though piña coladas and premium drinks cost extra.
Family friendly. One reviewer called the trip family friendly, and children requiring a safety seat should bring one, per the packing list. The day is long, around 10 hours door to door, so younger kids need stamina.
Photography costs extra. A professional photography service is listed among the extras not included in the price. Anyone wanting photos of the day should budget for it separately.

Common issues. The group size is capped at 20 but at least one reviewer reported a few more on board, and another counted roughly 30 split across two boats, so the number is not guaranteed exactly. One reviewer described a delayed departure after the boat was sent back over loading concerns, which cost about an hour at the start. One reviewer also felt one of the later stops ran long and looked untidy after earlier crowds. Weather and sea conditions can force cancellation, in which case the operator offers a full refund or a reschedule, and premium drinks, souvenirs, beach massages and photos all cost extra.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from hotels in Punta Cana, Uvero Alto, Cabeza de Toro and Bayahibe are included.

What Food And Drinks Are Included?

An all-you-can-eat Dominican buffet lunch with rice, pasta, chicken, fish, salad and fruit is provided, along with fresh seafood from the catch of the day and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Beer, rum, coffee, Coca-Cola, 7UP and other soft drinks are included all day. Piña coladas and other premium drinks are not.

How Long Is The Tour?

The full experience runs about 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. The speedboat crossings take 45 minutes each way and island free time lasts 4 hours.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes, cancellation up to 24 hours in advance gets a full refund. If the operator cancels because of weather or sea conditions, travellers get a guaranteed full refund or the option to reschedule.

Is It Suitable For Children And Families?

Reviewers describe the trip as family friendly. Travellers with children who need a child safety seat should bring one, as it appears on the packing list. Note that snorkeling, diving and jumping are not allowed on this tour.

What Should I Bring?

Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, sandals, comfortable clothes and a daypack, with water shoes recommended since much of the day happens at sea. Souvenirs, premium drinks, massages and photos are extra.