Fully Private, 8 To 9 Hours

Private Saona Island Excursion

★ 4.7 55 verified reviews

8 to 9 hours, hotel pickup listed, lunch included.

from $990 per group

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Duration: 8 to 9 hours
Meeting point: Punta Cana (Bavaro Hotel Zone)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Sol Cana Tours

Overview

This is a private speedboat day trip to Saona Island run by Sol Cana Tours, lasting 8 to 9 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off from Punta Cana included. Because only your group is on the boat, the crew can move at your pace, and reviewers liked avoiding the crowded larger boat excursions.

The shape of the day is straightforward. The listing includes transport by speedboat, a 30 minute stop at Parque Nacional del Este, a swim at the Natural Swimming Pool with an open floating bar for 40 minutes to an hour, and unlimited beach time on Saona Island itself. Lunch is served in a private area with a vegetarian option available upon request, and drinks flow all day: local rum, beer, soft drinks, water, orange juice and rum punch, with champagne on request. Snorkeling is optional and also needs to be requested.

It suits travellers who want to avoid the crowded larger boat tours and share the day only with their own group. Reviewers travelling as a group of twelve described a relaxed day where the crew let them do largely what they wanted. It is not a fit for everyone: the listing advises against it for pregnant travellers and anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine.

What's Included

Included

Lunch on a private area, vegetarian option available (upon request only)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by speedboat
Drinks (local rum, beer, soft drinks, water, orange juice, rum punch) champagne (upon request)
Stop at the Natural Swimming pool (40 mins to one hour with open floating bar)
Unlimited beach time in Saona Island
Snorkeling (optional, and by request)

Not Included

Photos or videos taken during this activity
Gratuities
Lobster
Photographer
Tips

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup and drop-off at your hotel are included. The listing pairs the day with Saona Island transport lasting 3 hours.
Parque Nacional del EsteA 30 minute stop at the national park.
Natural Swimming PoolA 40 minute to one hour stop with an open floating bar.
Saona Island beach timeUnlimited beach time on Saona Island, with lunch served in a private area. Snorkeling is available but optional and by request.
Return and drop-offSpeedboat transport back, then hotel drop-off within the 8 to 9 hour total duration.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, drawn from the listing and from what travellers have reported back.

Bring sunblock. A reviewer specifically recommended bringing sunblock, and a full day on open water and sand makes it sensible anyway. The listing does not provide a packing list. There is no mention of lockers or shade guarantees on the boat.
Request in advance. The vegetarian lunch option and champagne both need to be requested, and snorkeling is optional and by request rather than automatic. Travellers who want any of these should say so at booking or with the operator early. Snorkel gear supply has run short for larger private groups, one group of twelve reported.
Vendors and photos. Several reviewers mentioned a photographer on the boat, beach vendors, and in some cases a jewelry seller, and found them pushy. The photos themselves are sold separately and are not included in the tour price. Some travellers chose to buy the pictures and were happy with them.
Rough crossing. The speedboat ride can be bumpy. One family turned back because children were frightened and a passenger had a bad back, so anyone with back problems or anxiety about open water should think carefully. The small boat is also what reviewers liked, since it is quick and avoids the crowded larger vessels.
Weather dependency. The listing states the experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered, though one reviewer said the operator would not rearrange for forecast rain on their date. Checking the forecast before departure day is wise.
Private but shared stops. The boat and crew are private, but the stops themselves are the same ones the big tours use. One reviewer felt the itinerary and routes matched the mass tours exactly despite the private price, while another reported their guide brought the group to each location before the big boats and crowds arrived. Expect privacy on the water, not secluded beaches.

Common issues. The most consistent complaint across reviews is on-island and on-boat selling: photographers, jewelry sellers and repeated tip requests, with one reviewer saying the captain asked for tips several times and separately for each crew member. Photos and videos taken during the activity, lobster, gratuities and tips are all excluded from the price. One reviewer reported surprise additional guests joining for the day and too few snorkels for a group of twelve. The tour depends on good weather, is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for pregnant travellers, and the speedboat crossing proved too rough for one family, who turned back before reaching the island. The 24 hour cancellation window is strict, and no changes are accepted inside it.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The tour operates from Punta Cana and the whole day runs 8 to 9 hours. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

What Is Included In The Price?

Hotel transport, the speedboat, lunch in a private area with a vegetarian option on request, drinks including local rum, beer, soft drinks, water, orange juice and rum punch, the Natural Swimming Pool stop with an open floating bar, unlimited Saona beach time, and optional snorkeling by request. Champagne is also available on request.

What Is Not Included?

Photos or videos taken during the activity, a photographer, lobster, gratuities and tips.

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

The listing says most travellers can participate and that pushchairs are accessible, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with heart problems or serious medical conditions. The speedboat ride can be rough, and one family with scared children and a passenger with a bad back had to turn back before reaching the island.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and no changes are accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you get a different date or a full refund.

Is It Really Private?

Yes, only your group participates, and reviewers liked having the boat and crew to themselves. The stops are the same ones larger tours use, though one traveller reported their guide arrived at each spot before the crowds. Snorkeling, the vegetarian meal and champagne all need to be requested.