Exclusive Catamaran, Small Group

Saona Exclusive Catamaran: Small Group Experience

★ 4.8 14 verified reviews

8 to 11 hours, buffet lunch and open bar included, free cancellation.

from $160.62 per person

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Duration: 8 to 11 hours
Meeting point: Dominican Attitude Excursions office, Calle Roma 7, Bayahibe
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Dominican Attitude Excursions

Overview

Twenty guests is the hard ceiling on this sailing catamaran out of Bayahibe, even though the boat itself seats fifty. That ratio is the whole pitch of the tour: instead of the packed Saona Island runs, you get deck space, a front sunbathing platform, shaded seating, a fixed bar and restrooms, with a crew that has time for each group. Dominican Attitude Excursions runs the day, and it runs long, between eight and eleven hours.

The route follows the classic Saona circuit but at a calmer pace. First comes a guided snorkeling stop at the Catuano reef inside Saona National Park, with mask, snorkel and fins provided. Then several hours at a beach chosen by the team, one with a covered restaurant, restrooms, sun loungers and calm water, away from the busiest stretches of sand. A Dominican buffet lunch is served there: pork, chicken, fish, pasta, several rices, salads, vegetables, fresh fruit and coffee, with vegetarian options on request. The open bar runs all day, with rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite and water.

On the way back the boat stops at the Natural Pool, a shallow sandbank where you can wade in clear water and see large starfish, which the crew asks guests not to touch. The sail home toward Bayahibe closes the day with sun and music. This tour suits travellers who want the Saona highlights without crowd pressure, and who can make their own way to the meeting point in Bayahibe village.

What's Included

Included

Full-day sailing catamaran tour
Guided snorkeling stop at Catuano Reef
Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins)
Stop at an amenity-equipped beach (restaurant, restrooms, loungers)
Dominican buffet lunch
Open bar: rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite, water
Stop at the Natural Pool
Professional crew
Restrooms on board
Shaded areas & sun deck platform
Life jackets

Not Included

Towels
Professional photos
Lobster upgrade (available depending on season)
Tips (optional)
Transportation from Punta Cana / La Romana / Boca Chica (available at extra cost)

Itinerary

Meet in BayahibeCheck in at the Dominican Attitude Excursions office, Calle Roma n.7 in Bayahibe village, at 8:30am. The office is close to the public bus station.
Sail toward SaonaBoard the catamaran and cross the Caribbean Sea, with shaded seating, a fixed bar and a front platform on board.
Snorkel at CatuanoGuided snorkeling session at the Catuano reef, with equipment included.
Beach time on SaonaSeveral hours at a beach selected by the team, equipped with a covered restaurant, restrooms, sun loungers and shade.
Dominican buffet lunchFull buffet at the beach restaurant, with vegetarian options available.
Natural Pool stopSwim at the shallow sandbank on the return leg and see the starfish, without touching them.
Sail back to BayahibeReturn crossing toward Bayahibe with music and time on deck.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before booking, from what to pack to how the group feels on the water.

Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included; you meet the operator at their Bayahibe office at 8:30am. Transport from Punta Cana, La Romana or Boca Chica can be arranged at extra cost. Plan the journey so the start is not rushed.
Space on board. The group is capped at 20 guests on a boat with 50 seats, so crowding is not an issue. Several reviewers said the extra space was what made the day better than typical Saona tours, and one group of 13 reported plenty of room throughout.
What to bring. The listing recommends a towel, sunscreen, swimwear and sunglasses. Towels are not provided, and professional photos are sold separately if you want them.
Food and drink. The buffet covers pork, chicken, fish, pasta, rice, salads, fruit and coffee, with vegetarian options. Drinks flow all day from the open bar: rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite and water. Reviewers repeatedly mentioned there was more than enough to drink. A lobster upgrade is sometimes available in season at extra cost.
Pace and mobility. The day mixes sailing, one guided snorkeling stop and beach time, so it is easy going rather than demanding. The listing states it is not recommended for guests with very limited mobility. Life jackets are on board.
Weather flexibility. The itinerary can change depending on conditions, as the listing notes. The order of stops or the choice of beach may shift on the day, but the main elements, snorkeling, beach, buffet and the Natural Pool, stay on the plan.

Common issues. The main friction point is logistics: pickup is not included, so anyone staying in Punta Cana or La Romana needs to arrange transport or pay extra for it, and the 8:30am check-in in Bayahibe comes early. The day is long, eight to eleven hours, which may not suit travellers who want a short outing. One reviewer felt the price was a bit high, though still worth it. The listing also flags that the itinerary can vary with conditions and that the tour is not recommended for guests with very limited mobility.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. You meet the operator at their office in Bayahibe village, Calle Roma n.7, at 8:30am. Transportation from Punta Cana, La Romana or Boca Chica can be added at extra cost. The office is close to the public bus station.

How Many People Are On The Catamaran?

The group is limited to 20 guests, while the catamaran itself has 50 seats. That is the core of the experience: fewer passengers, more deck space and more attention from the crew.

What Is Included In The Price?

The full-day catamaran sailing, guided snorkeling at Catuano Reef with equipment, beach time with facilities, a Dominican buffet lunch, an unlimited open bar with rum, beer, soft drinks and water, the Natural Pool stop and the crew are all included. Towels, professional photos, tips and the seasonal lobster upgrade are extra.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

Reviews mention families, including a child and a senior, having a comfortable day. However, the listing states the tour is not recommended for guests with very limited mobility, so anyone with serious mobility constraints should think carefully or ask the operator before booking.

What Should I Bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear and sunglasses, as the listing advises. Towels are not provided. Professional photos and the seasonal lobster upgrade are not included, so budget for them separately if you want them.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

The listing states you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the booking page for anything beyond that. Plans can change, so it helps to know the terms before you commit.