The scenery is spectacular, but in addition, Saona Island has permanent population centers, something that is very interesting for tourists. They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. Few tourists actually visit Mano Juan when they come to Saona Island, so incorporating a visit to this fishing village into your Isla Saona itinerary will give you a chance to experience this tranquil tropical island off the beaten track! All Rights Reserved. Saona Island then remained uninhabited for a long period of time. 16 Rum Factory Tour. How many islands does the Dominican Republic have? Our private half-day or full-day boat tours allow you to escape the crowds for a memorable Saona Island tour to experience this slice of Caribbean paradise on your own terms. Isla Catalina, tambin denominada Isla Ikiita (llamada tambin por los indgenas locales como Toeya), es una isla que se encuentra en el mar Caribe a slo unos kilmetros al sureste de la Isla La Espaola al sur de la provincia de La Romana que es parte de la Repblica Dominicana.Desde La Romana se tarda media hora en llegar a Isla Catalina. In case youre looking for some other Saona Island private tours among them some with food, drinks and transfers included there are plenty of options for groups of up to 6 people. Visit the Tiki Bar, dance merengue, visit the Tiki Bar, play volleyball, visit the Tiki Bar, walk the beach, visit the Tiki Bar, hit the buffet. We have often done both in the same holiday as they are the most interesting boat trips from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Mainly, tourists who come to Catalina Island do so for two reasons: snorkeling and diving. Isla Saona is generally reached by boat from Bayahibe. If you are looking for a Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, click. Social distancing can be enforced. It has awning and a cooler with ice ready to go! (Click below to navigate) RNC: 1-31-25887-5 Tel: +1 829-208-7172 Email: info@saona.fun www.saona.fun Copyright Schau Ma Mal All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy If you want to snorkel, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Our Bahamas private yacht charter does not follow a cruise ship itinerary. There is one more geographic curiosity about Saona. I guess it depends on what you want to do! The yacht features a kitchen, a covered seating area and sufficient space outside to lounge and to enjoy the sun. This island also has a lot to offer you. At 17:00 we will head towards La Romana , from where we will return you to your hotel. .. There were about 20 of us, and only two divers. Caribbean cruise ships used to call at Catalina pre-Covid. If you need a transfer from Punta Cana, they can organize it as well. Dominican Republic ItineraryDominican Republic Road TripIsla Saona ExcursionSanto Domingo AirbnbsSanto Domingo Airport TransfersSanto Domingo Things-to-do, HomeNewest PostsAbout MeTravel CoachingPrivacy Policy. Go on the website and if you cant find exactly what you are looking for, call Oscar and he will set you up. Most Popular Posts on Punta Cana Travel Blog . You may have seen Saona Island in the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Blue Lagoon, since some scenes from these movies were shot on Isla Saona! Its transparent waters in beaches such as the East, West and North, make putting on your goggles and diving an experience. 13 Punta Cana: Snorkeling Tour to Catalina Island by Cataraman. And surely in its sand and turquoise water you will feel in one of the most spectacular paradises on the planet. Most families in Mano Juan make their living by fishing, so you can expect freshly caught local fish accompanied with yummy and healthy sides, such as plantains, rice, and cassava. Any information would be appreciated. Saona island is an island where you have to go to disconnect, to relax after a few days in the busiest tourist areas. Spend a relaxing time on Catalina Island, an uninhabited nature reserve and national park, and enjoy a barbecue-style lunch on the island. Thank Kanta M . Its a part of the Cotubanam National Park and a sanctuary to unique species of birds and sea creatures. From exploring the natural swimming pools to spotting rare animals, we got you covered! This full-day Saona Island tour includes a buffet lunch served beneath shady palm trees, round-trip transport by sailing catamaran, drinks on board the boat, and four hours of free time to experience Saona Island at your own pace. Catalina is sold as a snorkelling trip rather than a party trip - there is a wall on the east side of the island, the beach is on the west side. It offers seemingly endless miles of white sand beaches, but some of the most popular Saona Island beaches are Canto de la Playa, Playa Bonita, and Playa del Gato. 5 stars all the way, and a nice day with excellent guides. The island is part of the trio of adjacent islands in the southeast of the country along with the Saona and the Catalinita. Are you a small group or maybe even just a couple looking in getting away from the huge groups and the crowded Saona excursions? Maximum 6 passengers. At the island, you have plenty of time to enjoy your private lunch, the beautiful beach and refreshing drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. And its not surprising! This route also starts at 7 am at your hotel, then you will go by catamaran from La Romana to Catalina Island. Do you need help planning a customized vacation in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic? Whatever it is, Mano Juan has brightly colored homes that show a Caribbean carefree way of living. You will practically be standing in the middle of the Caribbean SeaHow cool is that?! Isla Saona is generally reached by boat from Bayahibe. Your email address will not be published. Lunch will be prepared just for your group, which means there is no queue at the buffet. Maybe you'd like to spend a relaxing day with family at the beach? Diving in Catalina Island reaches its maximum expression in places like The Wall or The Aquarium. Plus, they have not responded to my reservation request. Book Online! The conventional way to visit Saona Island is to go on an excursion on a big boat with a crowd of people you do not know and a mediocre buffet lunch. And if Catalina impresses underwater, it also does so on the surface. Moreover, Saona Islands more secluded beaches that you can reach on a private tour make social distancing much more enjoyable! With its white sand, turquoise waters, and an abundance of palm trees, it truly looks like a slice of Paradise! to learn more about private tours to Saona Island that are tailored to your preferences! The first one is The Wall which as we mentioned before, is also known as The Wall of Catalina. leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. Going on a private boat tour to Saona Island allows you to combine the deserted island atmosphere with the comfort of your own exclusive method of transportation and control over your itinerary. If you want to have a Saona Island day trip, you might be wondering what the best way to visit this beautiful Caribbean island is. Although it is located off the coast of the province of La Altagracia, it is administratively part of the province of La Romana. We use the same quality standards as for our boat tours. Comfortable and safe transfer from your hotel to Bayahibe. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. And even the price seems steep at first glance, if you break it down to 15 people, it is just a bit more than 100 US per person a real bargain for a private full-day catamaran cruise! Saona.fun is focused on quality tours to the islands of Saona & Catalina. and share your adventures with friends and family. Saona VIP is our most complete tour to visit this beautiful island. Saona Island. Several families of fishermen, who moved to the island by order of the dictator Lenidas Trujillo, have been living there since 1944. Departing from Bayahibe. Board a speedboat as soon as you arrive in the village of Bayahibe, towards the island of Saona to do some snorkeling at Catuano Peers. Saona Island is a beautiful destination to visit during your Punta Cana or Bayahibe vacation. There are two jewels in the Dominican Republic that you must visit before the end of your vacation. It is very difficult to make a comparison between both islands. $ 120 $ 98 6 - 8 Hours Car SALE 27 Waterfalls Buggies Tour Puerto Plata $ 95 $ 65 3 - 4 Hours buggies SALE 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. Afterwards, we will head to our open buffet for lunch on the island, where you will also be able to explore its exquisite white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees and jungle. However, for the overall experience we'd choose the powerboat excursion with Seavis, great day that! . It is part of the National Park Cotubanam (formerly called Parque Nacional del Este). : Christopher Columbus renamed the island to commemorate his friend Michele de Cuneo, an explorer from the city of Savona in Italy. Tours to Isla Catalina are offering a relaxed cruise and have a snorkeling stop included. The first stop will be Catalina Wall. 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. Started August 27, 2021, By Professional Music Equipment. In the section below I am recommending you the best private excursions with competitive pricing. You can also enjoy plenty of time at the beach and a local Dominican lunch. However, the most famous of the island are its dive sites. Administratively, it also belongs to the province of La Romana, although in this case it forms its own national park called the same as the island. There are two places worth exploring while diving: El Muro, an impressive wall that plunges into the Caribbean Sea, reaching a depth of about 100 meters; and El Acuario, where the dive is 11 meters, full of coral formations, where you can find some of the most typical species of the Caribbean Sea such as seahorses, the famous lion fish or toad fish, among others. This price is for Children 4 to 8 years of age. . The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. Situated 10km from the cruise port and in front of Caleta Beach stated above, Catalina is a tiny uninhabited island consisting of 3.7 square miles. We only did Catalina, the food was great, beach massage a must, but getting a chair in the shade was tough! They have beaches worthy of a picture postcard, kilometers of sandy beach surrounded by palm trees and bathed by turquoise waters in a protected natural park. Even the particular beach you visit always depends on the company you book with, but chances are that you visit a less crowded part of the island. Transfer and lunch are optional, hence I recommend to make proper arrangements with the organizer of the tour before so that they exactly know what you wish for your private excursion to Saona Island. The village of Mano Juan is still there and is one of the two charming fishing villages on Isla Saona, along with a village called Catuano. If you dont find the right offer among those private tours and you are looking for other excursions to Isla Saona, feel free to send me an email to puntacanatravelblog (at) gmail (dot) com. However, be careful not to touch the starfish you find because your sunscreen is toxic for them. A stop is made at the natural pool in front of Palmilla Beach, where the water will reach your waist and you can enjoy a spectacular natural environment. There are some recommendations that are the same for all the excursions: The best time to visit both islands is from January to April, when rainfall is much lower and temperatures are lower. Best Saona Island Tours The truth is, many tour and excursion providers try to fit as many people as they can on a boat or catamaran and being stuck in a crowd of people you dont know can ruin your entire Saona Island experience. Click here to learn more! Did you like this article and would like to read all new stories about Punta Cana and beyond? This is the Caribbean Sea folks. You dont have any strangers on the boat. What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? Where to Stay in Saona Island This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. DESCRIPTION. Save. In case you just have 2 minutes and want to find the best Saona Island private tour immediately, check out the following table. In Mano Juan, a small fishing village on Isla Saona, there is a refuge for turtles that you can visit and you can help the cause with a donation. Saona Island has numerous beaches to choose from. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see. The dives at this point are between 20 and 40 meters, only within the reach of the most experienced divers. https://www.proexcursionsbayahibe.com/en/index.html, Awesome thank you for lmk your experience :). Or maybe you just want to do some cool sightseeing? Furthermore, Isla Catalina offers one of the best snorkeling opportunities in the Southeast of the Dominican Republic. While in most cases the safety measures are fine with hand sanitizer, face coverings and avoiding peoples congestion, the risk of transmitting Covid-19 can never be lowered to 0% especially with 70 other people on the boat. There, around the coral reef, we can see all kinds of fish of different colors. 4 EXCURSIONS FOR USD250 P/P . The best private excursion I can recommend for Isla Catalina is this private boat tour*. 60 guests. 1 on Tripadvisor (out of 54 water sports and excursion companies in Bayahibe, the departure port to go to Isla Saona). This article is exclusively about private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. With Catalina you're snorkeling off the boat or off the Wall so less concerns about sand and you have both the Aquarium and the Wall to snorkel. Thats just 100 USD per person for a private tour if you go with 15 people, which is much cheaper than most Isla Saona private tours. The island of Saona is the most visited island in the Dominican Republic. We traveled to the natural pool which is a beautiful Sandbar and were able to swim privately. Isla Catalina is another beautiful Caribbean island, just a short boat ride away from Isla Saona. The famous Bounty Chocolate commercials were actually filmed on the white sand beaches of Saona Island! As indicated at the beginning of this article, Isla Catalina is less visited than Isla Saona thats also why there are fewer companies for private tours. He knows every captain in the area and every boat. It is known for its coral reefs, which caused shipwrecks of some ships such as that of Captain Kidd, a British pirate who was shipwrecked on the shores of Catalina and nowadays diving enthusiasts can visit his sunken ship in this history museum under the sea. Explore our exciting land and sea activities & adventures, hotel packages, and other special offers. Punta Cana AirbnbsPunta Cana Airport TransfersPunta Cana All-Inclusive ResortsPunta Cana BeachesPunta Cana Car Rental Shaded areas, comfortable lounge seats. They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. Most Saona Island tours leave from Bayahibe and arrive straight to the gorgeous wild beaches shortly after. There were lots of vans picking up to go to Saona/Catalina. Isla Saona is an island with very few inhabitants and has a small hotel in Mano Juan. Los Flamencos Aparthotel. Would you like to take advantage of someone with years of experience in the tourism industry (knowing all the travel hacks ) and living right in the place where you would like to spend your holiday?Thats what my personal travel coaching is for. From there we went to Tao restaurant on saona island which was recommended by Oscar and was exceptional we had a luxurious lunch on a beautifully arranged table on the sand From there our captain Moiset took us to an area where we anchored offshore and were able to swim in the most clear blue water you can imagine. I want the free e-book "15 amazing things-to-do for free in Punta Cana"! Want to create a unique itinerary for your. $ 95 $ 70 We swapped the waters of Saona for those of Catalina Island. Hotel El Eden. Food good, excellent staff for pro excursions. A few meters away, palm trees and jungle vegetation appear, where we can find endemic fauna and flora of the island. Mano Juan is the bigger village on the island but still has only about 500 residents who dedicate their lives to fishing, making art, and living in, Are you ready to explore the deserted beaches of Isla Saona? We later passed by another area and swam again. in my comprehensive guide about Isla Saona, check out this post if you are looking for better snorkeling options, Small Group Private Boat to Saona Island*, Private Premium Catamaran to Saona Island*, Affordable Saona private tour from Bayahibe for medium groups*, Affordable Saona private tour from Bayahibe for large groups*, Affordable Saona private tour from Punta Cana for small groups*, Affordable Saona private tour from Punta Cana for medium groups*, Full-service Saona private tour from Punta Cana for small groups*, Affordable Saona private tour from Punta Cana for large groups*, snorkeling opportunities in the Southeast of the Dominican Republic, Check out here the best tours to Catalina Island, Even the Dominican Republic has its own (very extensive) hygiene protocol, 30+ exciting things-to-do in Punta Cana in 2023 (Dominican Republic), Punta Cana itinerary for an easy 1-week road-trip beaches, culture and mountains, 13 Insider tips on how to find the best all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Excursion to Isla Saona 2023 everything you need to know for your hassle-free Saona Island Tour, further excursions that are Covid-19 safe or certified, check out this article, this Private Saona Island Cruise for up to 6 people, Check Affordable Isla Saona Private Tour*, this private yacht tour for up to 10 people, the most elegant private tour to Isla Saona a full cruising-style catamaran exclusively for your group, Isla Saona offers more spectacular scenery and picture-perfect views, Hoyo Claro how you can save 588 USD when visiting a cenote in Punta Cana, Finest Punta Cana a comprehensive review of this newly built all-inclusive resort, The best dune buggy adventure tours in Punta Cana (Tested and hand-picked), Scuba Diving in Punta Cana your full guide with the best dive sites & dive shops in Punta Cana, Rum Tours in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic, Baha de las guilas hotels, glamping, beach info, things-to-do and a secret+quick way to get there, no transfers included (starts from Bayahibe), no transfers included (boat starts from Bayahibe), approx. However, approximately three decades after Columbuss first visit and the Spanish conquest, the Taino population of the Dominican Republic including the Saona Island was diminished by old world diseases, such as smallpox, and brutal work conditions established by the colonizers. You get the boat, the open bar and the food. Passion Paradise is a smaller operation. Catalina for Scuba or just lazing, Saona for a BBQ and snorkelling X. If this option doesnt suit you, you can check out the following private excursions to Isla Catalina. This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. Includes Captain, boat fuel, and cooler with ice. As if that were not enough, in Catalina there is also the wreck of a ship called Cara Merchant, commanded by Captain Kidd at the end of the 17th century. It is easy to reach Saona Island by boat or yacht. Or perhaps you'replanning your first visit to the island. Since 24 years I have been living and working together with my better half on the beautiful sun-drenched island called La . This is why we are committed to providing Dominican Republic visitors with an alternative and more exclusive way to experience Saona Island. It is a Mediterranean village located on the banks of the Chavon River, also known as the City of Artists. 100% recomendable. If you are 9 or older, you must pay the Adult fare. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Do you want to take some beautiful pictures during your Saona Island trip? I guess it depends on what you want to do! Saona Island has natural sandbars offshore that make the water very shallow, about waist-deep. Looking for a private Saona Island tour? We're talking about 110 sq kilometers. Especially in these unprecedented times, private tours are offering an enormous extra value compared to standard group excursions: safety and health. Your email address will not be published. Saona is more recommended if you are looking for a nice beach with no seaweed and great views. Tourism During Covid We were back by 5 PM and everything went great. The second one will be in a much more relaxed spot, since in The Aquarium we will go down to 8 meters deep, where you will be able to get to know a wonderful underwater world. DIVING + CATALINA ISLAND . Advantages of private tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina? Its easy to say that both are the most beautiful islands in the Dominican Republic as well. It also offers a better snorkeling experience. On the shore of the beach, the white sand is perfect for relaxing on it. With the current price of 450 US (subject to change), it is just 75 US per person an unbeatable bargain. Saona Island is a must if you come to spend your vacation in the Dominican Republic and its popularity is well deserved. If you feel that this itinerary might limit your expectations or it is not as much fun as it could be, you should continue reading below, as in this case, a private tour to Isla Saona might be exactly what you are looking for. Catalina & Saona are on the Caribbean Sea, so the water will be warm. Are you ready to escape the crowded beaches of Bavaro or Bayahibe and explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean? Espero volver a verles pronto!! Refrigerator. Shop - Saona Island Tour & Excursion SALE (Ermitano Beach) Playa Ermitao Boat tour and Playa Onda, Half - Day Trip, Saman - Dominican Republic. You might be surprised! The first tourist boat to dock at Saona was Christopher Columbus in 1494 and Saona has not ceased to amaze visitors for the last 500+ years! Getting to know the way of life on a small Caribbean island is a cultural immersion that can be done in the village of Mano Juan. ), I'm thinking of going to Catalina Island instead using Passion Paradise Adventures. Visit the Tiki Bar, dance merengue, visit the Tiki Bar, play volleyball, visit the Tiki Bar, walk the beach, visit the Tiki Bar, hit the buffet.
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