Sailing Catamaran, Very Small Group

Saona Island: Full-day Catamaran Tour - Small Group

★ 4.8 38 verified reviews

8 hours, pickup listed, lunch included.

from $135 per person

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Duration: 8 hours
Meeting point: Bayahibe (Main Saona Boat Departure)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Quetzal Catamaran Excursions - Saona & Catalina

Overview

This is a full-day catamaran trip to Saona Island with a cap of 20 travellers, run by Quetzal Catamaran Excursions out of Bayahibe. That group limit is the main reason people pick it: reviewers said they wanted to avoid a party boat experience, and one described exactly that, with no loud music, an on-time departure and a relaxed atmosphere. The boat sails from Bayahibe to the Catuano section of the national park, then on to Saona Island itself for a long beach stop, with a final stop at Palmilla before the sail back.

The day runs about 8 hours total, with roughly an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes of sailing to the first stop and the same again at the end of the afternoon. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and Saona Island park admission is included in the ticket.

It suits couples and small groups who want a quieter version of the classic Saona day rather than a floating party. Pickup from Bayahibe or Dominicus is included; travellers staying in La Romana, Punta Cana or Santo Domingo need to arrange their own transport to the meeting point at Plaza Roma in Bayahibe. One reviewer noted the operator offered an economical transfer option, worth asking about at booking.

What's Included

Included

Alcoholic beverages (Rhum, Presidente beer)
Soda/Pop
Lunch
Use of snorkelling equipment
Pick up from Bayahibe / Dominicus
Snacks

Not Included

Pick up from La Romana / Punta Cana or Santo Domingo

Itinerary

Meet in BayahibeMeet at Plaza Roma #7, close to CaribeExpress and in front of the main parking in Bayahibe, with a 07:00 start. The tour ends back at the same point.
Sail to CatuanoAround 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes of catamaran sailing to the first stop at Catuano, inside the national park.
Catuano stopA 45-minute stop at Catuano before continuing on.
Saona IslandRoughly 30 minutes of sailing from Catuano to the beach, then 3 hours on Saona Island. Park admission is included. Reviewers mentioned transferring between the catamaran and the shore by small boat.
PalmillaAbout 30 minutes of sailing from the beach to Palmilla, with a 45-minute stop here.
Sail back to BayahibeThe return leg to Bayahibe takes 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes at the end of the afternoon.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape the day, from the boat-to-shore transfers to what is already paid for.

Group feel. The tour is capped at 20 travellers, and this is what sets it apart. Multiple reviewers said they chose it to avoid party boats and confirmed the crew did not blast music. One reviewer also mentioned being among the first on the island, which made the beach stop peaceful.
Transfers by shuttle. You disembark the catamaran via a small shuttle boat, which one reviewer noted adds around 30 minutes each way to transport time. Another described boarding a shuttle boat from the port to reach the catamaran at the start. Factor this in when planning the pace of the day.
Food and drink. Rum, Presidente beer and soda are included, along with Doritos and sandwiches in the morning and cake in the afternoon. Lobster is an optional extra you need to request when booking.
What is included. Snorkelling equipment and Saona Island park admission are both in the ticket. Pickup from Bayahibe or Dominicus is covered too. Travellers coming from La Romana, Punta Cana or Santo Domingo arrange their own transport to the meeting point.
Weather and flexibility. The trip requires good weather, and one reviewer ran the tour in poor conditions with the crew adjusting so the group still saw the island and natural pools. If weather cancels the tour, a different date or a full refund is offered.
Timing and pace. The day is roughly 8 hours with a 07:00 start, and much of it is spent sailing between stops. One reviewer wished the island and natural pool stops were longer, so know going in that boat time forms a real part of the day.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, per the listing. The shuttle-boat transfers to and from the catamaran add time, and one reviewer flagged this as the only real drawback. Another felt the stops on the island and at the natural pool were too short. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers to run and depends on good weather; if either cancels it, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund. Pickup from La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo is not included, and lobster costs extra. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours after booking, subject to availability.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Alcoholic drinks (rum and Presidente beer), soda, lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, snorkelling equipment, Saona Island park admission and pickup from Bayahibe or Dominicus are all included. The tour lasts 8 hours. Lobster is an optional extra you must request when booking.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Pickup is included from Bayahibe and Dominicus only. Pickup from La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo is not included, so those travellers make their own way to the meeting point. One reviewer mentioned the operator offered a transfer service at a lower cost than local taxis, worth asking about when booking.

Where Does The Tour Start?

The meeting point is Plaza Roma #7 in Bayahibe, close to CaribeExpress and in front of the main parking. Start time is 07:00, and the tour ends back at the same spot.

How Many People Are On The Boat?

The listing caps the tour at a maximum of 20 travellers. Several reviewers said the group felt small, the music stayed off and the atmosphere was relaxed, which is exactly what they were looking for.

Is The Tour Suitable For Wheelchair Users?

No, the listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible. It says most travellers can participate and that the meeting point is near public transportation. Transfers between the catamaran and the shore are by small shuttle boat, which affects anyone with limited mobility.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, no refund is given and changes are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled for either reason, you get a different date, a different experience or a full refund.