Shorter Day From Bayahibe

Saona Island Excursion from Bayahibe

★ 4.2 156 verified reviews

6 to 7 hours, hotel pickup listed, buffet lunch included.

from $69 per person

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Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Meeting point: Bayahibe (Main Saona Boat Departure)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Sol Cana Tours

Overview

This six to seven hour excursion from Bayahibe is a compact way to reach Saona Island. Sol Cana Tours collects guests from Bayahibe hotels only, drives them in an air-conditioned vehicle to the departure point, then moves everyone onto the water by catamaran or speedboat. The route includes a stop in Bayahibe itself, listed at 30 minutes, plus the boat legs out to the island. A buffet lunch with a vegetarian option is included in the day.

Alcoholic beverages are included, and reviewers repeatedly describe rum and cola flowing during the boat ride, along with dancing on the way out. The natural swimming pool, a shallow sandbar stop, comes up in many reviews as a highlight. Several travellers flag that this is a large operation, with a maximum of 110 travellers and multiple boat changes along the way.

It suits couples, groups and families who want the beach, the sandbar and the party-on-a-boat atmosphere. It suits less well anyone expecting a calm, small-group trip or a long stretch of quiet time on shore. One reviewer put it plainly: think of the boat as a taxi to the island, and set expectations accordingly.

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off only Bayahibe hotels
Transport by catamaran or speedboat
Air-conditioned vehicle
Buffet lunch; vegetarian option available
Alcoholic beverages

Not Included

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Pick-up at Bahia Principe La Romana

Itinerary

Hotel pickup in BayahibePickup and drop-off are included for Bayahibe hotels only, with transport by air-conditioned vehicle.
Bayahibe stopThe listing includes a 30-minute stop in Bayahibe.
Boat to SaonaTravel by catamaran or speedboat, with alcoholic drinks served on board and often music and dancing.
Island time and lunchTime on Saona Island with a buffet lunch included; a vegetarian option is available.
Return and drop-offBoat back to shore, then transfer to the vehicle for drop-off at Bayahibe hotels.

What To Expect From The Tour

Reviews are genuinely mixed, and the difference usually comes down to expectations. Here is what repeat themes in the feedback suggest about the day.

Bring cash. Souvenir photos are available to purchase, and gratuities are not included. Reviews also mention photo sales and onshore vendors during the day, so cash is useful.
Expect boat transfers. Multiple reviews describe changing boats more than once to reach the island and return. Travellers with children or limited mobility found these transfers awkward, so plan for stepping between vessels in shallow water.
Drinks are basic. The included alcoholic beverages are mainly rum with cola or sprite, according to several reviewers. Some reported no water, beer or ice at certain points of the day, so bringing a bottle of water is wise.
Large group day. The tour runs with up to 110 travellers. Reviewers describe crowded departure beaches, waits to board, and busy stretches of sand.
Vendors onshore. Reviews mention sellers on the island, with one traveller describing vendors of massages, bracelets and cigars who did not leave visitors alone.
Weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, a different date or a full refund is offered.

Common issues. The honest downsides cluster around logistics. Many reviewers report waiting periods at the departure beach, sometimes an hour or more, and delays at both ends of the day. Boat-to-boat transfers are a recurring complaint, with one reviewer saying two people fell during a transfer. The group is large, the drinks list is narrow, and vendors on the island do not take no easily. The listing itself rules out wheelchair access, advises against the tour for pregnant travellers, requires a minimum number of participants to run, and excludes pickup at Bahia Principe La Romana. One reviewer also reported being charged extra for transport despite the listed inclusions, so it is worth confirming pickup details on the booking page before departure.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from Bayahibe hotels are included, along with transport by air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup at Bahia Principe La Romana is specifically excluded. One reviewer reported being charged extra for transport despite the listed inclusions, so it is worth confirming pickup details on the booking page before departure.

What Is Included In The Price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Bayahibe hotels, catamaran or speedboat transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, a buffet lunch with a vegetarian option, and alcoholic beverages. Souvenir photos and gratuities are extra and not included.

How Long Is The Tour?

The listing gives a duration of six to seven hours. One reviewer noted spending more time on the boat than on the island, so expect a fair portion of the day on the water.

Is It Suitable For Kids Or People With Limited Mobility?

One reviewer said the trip works for couples, groups and kids. However, the listing states it is not wheelchair accessible, and multiple reviewers describe frequent boat changes that are difficult with children or mobility constraints. It is also not recommended for pregnant travellers.

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 accepted. Weather cancellations come with a different date or a full refund, and if the minimum number of travellers is not met, a different date or experience or a full refund is offered.

What Should I Bring?

Reviewers recommend bringing your own water, since drinks on board are limited to rum with cola or sprite and water can run short.