Water Tours
Saona Island VIP: A Tropical Escape to Remember
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Tour overview
You’ve heard about Saona Island. Everyone who visits Punta Cana has. But the classic tour and the VIP tour are two completely different experiences — and once you see the difference, there’s really no going back.
While the classic Saona tour puts you on a catamaran with hundreds of other visitors, the Saona Island VIP Tour takes a smaller group to the same paradise with premium service, a gourmet lobster lunch, welcome champagne, exclusive beach access and a pace that actually lets you breathe it all in.
This is the tour for travelers who want Saona Island done properly
What happens on this tour
Your journey begins with hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro. From there, you travel to Bayahibe, where your boat awaits at the beach. Before boarding, you receive your national park entry bracelets — Saona Island is a protected nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park, and access is regulated by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism.
You set sail across the Caribbean Sea toward one of the most beautiful islands in the Dominican Republic. On the way, the boat stops at the famous natural pool — a shallow sandbar in the open ocean where the water barely reaches your waist and starfish gather beneath your feet. Your guide will make sure you experience it without the crowds.
Arriving at Saona Island, you leave the busy tourist beaches behind. The VIP tour takes you to quieter, more secluded stretches of white sand — the kind you see in screensavers and don’t believe are real until you’re standing on them. The afternoon is yours: swim, snorkel, explore the shoreline or simply sit in the shade of a palm tree with a rum in your hand.
At midday, a premium VIP lunch is served right on the beach. This is not a standard buffet — it’s a full gourmet spread including lobster, seafood, grilled fish, paella, fresh salads, tropical fruits and unlimited open bar with rum, wine, beer and soft drinks.
The return trip takes you back across the Caribbean by speedboat, arriving in Bayahibe before heading back to your hotel.
Excludes
- Biodegradable or reef-safe sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, comfortable sandals and a waterproof camera. Cash if you’d like to purchase souvenirs in Bayahibe on the way back.
What's included
- Hotel pickup from Punta Cana and Bavaro resort areas
- Private round-trip transportation to Bayahibe
- National park entry bracelets
- Speedboat and catamaran transfers
- Welcome champagne toast on board
- Stop at the natural pool
- Exclusive VIP beach access on Saona Island
- Premium gourmet lunch — lobster, seafood, grilled fish, paella, salads and tropical fruits
- Shrimp skewer substituted March 1 – June 30 due to lobster ban
- All-day open bar — rum, beer, wine, vodka, whisky, soft drinks and water
- Licensed bilingual guide throughout
- Return transportation to your hotel
Good to know
Duration: approximately 10 hours
Price: from US$ 119 per person
Available daily — hotel pickup between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM
Not recommended for pregnant women or people with cardiovascular conditions
Lobster ban: March 1 – June 30 (shrimp skewer served instead)
Book 2 or more activities and save 10% with promo code BOOK2SAVE10
FAQs
What makes the VIP tour different from the Classic Saona Island Tour? The VIP tour operates with a smaller group, takes you to less crowded and more exclusive beach areas, and includes a premium gourmet lunch with lobster instead of a standard buffet. It also includes welcome champagne and a higher level of personalized service throughout the day. Is lobster always included? Lobster is included from July through February. From March 1 to June 30, the Dominican Republic enforces a lobster ban to protect marine life. During this period, the premium lunch includes shrimp skewer as the main protein instead. Everything else remains the same. Is Saona Island a protected area? Yes. Saona Island is part of Cotubanamá National Park, a protected nature reserve. Entry requires official park bracelets, which are included in the tour and issued by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism. How crowded is the VIP tour compared to the Classic tour? Significantly less crowded. The VIP tour is designed for smaller groups and takes you to different, quieter beach areas than the main Saona tourist beaches. If you’ve seen photos of Saona packed with catamarans and crowds, that’s not what this tour looks like. What is the natural pool? A shallow sandbar in the open Caribbean Sea between the mainland and Saona Island. The water barely reaches your waist and starfish gather in the sand beneath your feet. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the Dominican Republic. Can I snorkel on this tour? Yes. The natural pool and the waters around Saona Island offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. The water is clear, warm and full of marine life. Bring your own gear or ask your guide about equipment available on board