Mano Juan, Canto De La Playa

Saona Island, Mano Juan & Canto de la Playa Away from Crowds

★ 5.0 168 verified reviews

8 hours, hotel pickup listed, lunch included.

from $119 per person

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Duration: 8 hours
Meeting point: Bayahibe (Main Saona Boat Departure)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Dominican Attitude Excursions

Overview

This eight-hour excursion with Dominican Attitude Excursions skips the crowded Saona hotspots and builds the day around Mano Juan, a fishing village on the island's quieter side, plus Canto de la Playa, a beach several reviewers describe as calm and nearly empty compared with the main tourist stops. The route runs out of Bayahibe and threads through Cotubanamá National Park, with a final swim stop at a natural pool before returning. Along the way there is snorkelling, a turtle sanctuary reviewers repeatedly single out, and starfish sightings.

The day starts at 07:30 from the operator's office on Calle Roma in Bayahibe, which is a short walk from most stays in town. Guests coming from farther afield can add transport from Punta Cana, Bávaro, Uvero Alto, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica or La Romana by picking the right option when booking. Pickup in Dominicus is listed as included where required.

A Dominican lunch is served on the island, drinks flow all day in the form of rum, beer, soft drinks and water, and snacks of pineapple, nachos and cakes keep everyone going between stops. Snorkel gear, national park entrance fees and a certified local guide are all covered. The group is capped at 30 travellers, and one reviewer described it as a small group tour.

What's Included

Included

Dominican lunch served on the island
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (rum, beer, soft drinks, water)
Snorkeling equipment
Entrance fees to the National Park
Hotel and residence pickup in Dominicus (if required)
Snacks during the day (pineapple, nachos, cakes)
Certified local guide throughout the excursion

Not Included

Lobster option (available from July 1st to the end of February only): $25 USD per person
Professional photos (optional purchase)

Itinerary

Meet in BayahibeCheck in at the operator's office on Calle Roma 7 in Bayahibe for a 07:30 start. Bayahibe guests can walk there in a few minutes; guests from farther away can select a pickup option when booking. This first leg is listed at 30 minutes.
Mano Juan village, 3 hoursThree hours in the fishing village of Mano Juan, the longest stop of the day. Reviewers mention a turtle sanctuary, a small market with souvenirs, and lunch served facing the sea.
Canto de la Playa, 2 hoursTwo hours at this beach, kept as a separate stop from the national park visit. Reviewers call it calm and free of crowds.
Cotubanamá National Park, 1 hourOne hour in the park, with entrance fees included in the tour price. Reviewers mention mangroves and turtles in this stretch.
Natural Pool, 1 hourA final one-hour swim stop at the natural pool. The day ends back at the meeting point in Bayahibe.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews and in the listing details.

Seasickness prep. One reviewer warns the water can be choppy and recommends motion sickness tablets for anyone prone to it. Watershoes, a towel and sunglasses also earned a mention.
Long day, light breakfast. Reviewers advise eating a light breakfast early, since lunch comes later in the day. The full excursion runs eight hours from the 07:30 start. One reviewer notes it is a long day and works best for families with older children.
Cash for extras. Photos taken by the crew are an optional purchase, and one reviewer suggests bringing cash for tips. Lobster is a paid add-on, so anyone wanting it should budget separately.
Drinks included. Rum, beer, soft drinks and water are all included, and reviewers say the supply is generous. Snacks of pineapple, nachos and cakes are served during the day, so nobody goes hungry between stops.
Turtle sanctuary. The stop at Mano Juan includes a turtle sanctuary, which multiple reviewers describe as a highlight. Starfish sightings also come up repeatedly.
Accessible format. The listing states the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and one reviewer praised the crew for helping a disabled family member on and off the boat. Transport from Punta Cana, Bávaro and other areas is an option to select at booking rather than automatic.

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers to run, and if that minimum is not met it can be cancelled with a choice of a different date, a different experience or a full refund. Weather can also force a cancellation, again with a reschedule or refund offered. One reviewer found a van uncomfortable and the boat older than expected for the price, so vehicle comfort is not guaranteed. Cancellations by travellers inside the final 24 hours before the 07:30 start are not refunded. Lobster costs extra, at 25 USD per person, and is only offered between July 1st and the end of February.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The tour includes a Dominican lunch on the island, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, snorkelling equipment, entrance fees to the national park, and a certified local guide. Pickup in Dominicus is included if required. Optional extras are lobster and professional photos.

Is Lobster Included?

No. Lobster costs 25 USD per person as an add-on, and it is only available from July 1st to the end of February. Professional photos are also an optional purchase. Everything else on the food and drink list is covered.

Where Does The Tour Start And Is Pickup Available?

The meeting point is the operator's office at Calle Roma 7 in Bayahibe, with a 07:30 start. Guests staying in Bayahibe can walk there in about five minutes. Optional transport is available from Punta Cana, Bávaro, Uvero Alto, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica and La Romana if the correct pickup option is selected when booking, and pickup in Dominicus is included where required.

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

The listing says the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and that most travellers can participate. One reviewer praised the crew for helping a disabled relative on and off the boat. Another noted the day is long and suited families with older children, around six and up.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 07:30 start, based on local time. Inside that window no refund is given and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for weather or low numbers, you are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Reviewers recommend a towel, sunglasses and watershoes, plus motion sickness tablets if the sea bothers you. Bring cash for tips and for optional photo purchases. Swimwear and sun protection make sense given the hours spent at beaches and on the boat.