saona or catalina island

Most Saona Island tours with big boats and crowds wont make a snorkeling stop, but Saona can offer an amazing snorkeling experience since it is a part of a large national park, Cotubanam, and a sanctuary to a large number of different species. Tourism During Covid Isla Catalina, also called Isla Ikiita (also called by local indigenous people like Toeya) is an island in the Caribbean Sea just a few kilometers southeast of Isla La Espaola south of the province of La Romana. Not Bus Pick Up. I recommend you to discuss the details with your host/organizer after booking and before the tour. You can define the itinerary. The weather will accompany us and we will be able to bathe in the transparent water of the Caribbean. Saona Island then remained uninhabited for a long period of time. The natural park bracelets (tax) are not included in the price: 5$ USD per person. No shoes on the boat. Isla Saona (or in English Saona Island) is the most popular tourist destination for day-trips in the Dominican Republic. Isla Saona is an island with very few inhabitants and has a small hotel in Mano Juan. Yes, it's a killer combination. These cheerful objects that soaked up the quintessential Dominican lifestyle are guaranteed to brighten up your home! Usually, on those big group tours, there is not much that can be done if you are not satisfied. Ready to discover Saona Island? 3. Un servicio impecable. 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. Drinks and Foodis not included but can be requested at the time of your reservation for an additional price. Where to Stay in Saona Island 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. Isla Saona is not connected to the Dominican Republics electricity grid and runs entirely on solar panels! etc. 16 Rum Factory Tour. You will feel unique in the world, and even more so when you visit the natural pool, where you can see starfish and walk to infinity without being covered by the water. Is turquoise, transparent ocean water your thing? Alternatively, you can check out this return transfer option* as well. Several families of fishermen, who moved to the island by order of the dictator Lenidas Trujillo, have been living there since 1944. Very helpful, glad to hear about the recent experiences! If you want to snorkel, Catalina island has better snorkeling. If you ever get hot during your Saona Island trip, simply go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or drink a cold Presidente! The pool is formed because lots of sand naturally gets accumulated in one area, bringing ocean levels to just a couple of feet and making it feel like a pool! All itineraries are custom designed by the Captain in collaboration with you. The native Taino population called Saona Island Adamanay in the native Arawak language. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. CC Help Jenn And dont forget to set some time aside to search for the gorgeous starfishes that are abound there! Even the Dominican Republic has its own (very extensive) hygiene protocol, which gets excellent reviews and international recognition, a group tour is still a group tour with many other people. 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. Aparta-Hotel Villa Baya. Los Flamencos Aparthotel. This excursion should be preferred if you only want to visit some of the must-see sights of Saona Island. Beach and natural pool were beautiful, no seaweed problem there at all. Oh, there's also music, animation and open bar. GOOD NEWS! First of all, we show you our classic excursion to Saona Island. Are you ready to escape the crowded beaches of Bavaro or Bayahibe and explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean? Hope this helps! Caribbean cruise ships used to call at Catalina pre-Covid. Isla Saona gets visited every day by thousands of tourists. ), I'm thinking of going to Catalina Island instead using Passion Paradise Adventures. We only did Catalina, the food was great, beach massage a must, but getting a chair in the shade was tough! . Boats with Clean & Safe badge on WannaBoats, On-Board Covid-19 Safety Protocols (email), Saona Island Vs Catalina Island. You will start your tour in La Romana and stop at the most famous snorkeling spot in the area, where you can see colorful fish and a tropical reef. Punta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*Guesthouses & AirBnBs: Info | Book It*Excursions: Info | Book It*Rental Car: Info | Book It*Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan ItTravel Insurance (incl. By ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112206916', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Catalina island has better snorkeling. Its a part of the Cotubanam National Park and a sanctuary to unique species of birds and sea creatures. B&B Villa Luna. Check out the Saona Island Tour and Catalina Island Tour and the Saona Gallery and the Catalina Gallery for some impressions, enjoy! Framed within the Cotubanam National Park, formerly known as the Parque Nacional del Este, it is one of its most important parts. When staying in Punta Cana, there are tons of group tours to book, but what should you do if you are looking for a private excursion to Isla Saona or Isla Catalina? Muy agradables los marineros. What Is the Weather Like at Saona Island? 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. https://www.proexcursionsbayahibe.com/en/index.html, Awesome thank you for lmk your experience :). I have summarized the best Saona private tours for you in this comprehensive overview. For groups of 10 or more, please contact us directly. Bayahibe Travel Guide Drinks & Food options available for an extra fee and depending number of passengers. We will be there first part of March :). The Wall, is a slope that plunges to 100 meters deep and where a great variety of marine life proliferates. We swapped the waters of Saona for those of Catalina Island. Saona.fun is focused on quality tours to the islands of Saona & Catalina. Just like many other areas in the Caribbean, Catalina Island served as a refuge for pirates and privateers from 1520 to the 1720s. We will make our first stop in the middle of the ocean to Snorkel or Dive (depends the program youve booked) with some of our professional guides in the water with the most marine fauna in the Caribbean. 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. DIVING + CATALINA ISLAND . ATV + El Valle Beach & Waterfalls, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Pedernales, Baha de las Aguilas: Beach Day Trip by Boat -Day Pass Snorkeling & Lunch, Birdwatching in Los Haitises National Park, Birdwatching Punta Cana Birding Tours from Punta Cana to Los Haitises National Park, Catalina Island and Snorkeling with Catamaran Party From Punta Cana Half Day Experience. 17 Full day buggy Safari with lunch and Chavon River Tour. 15 Dominican Republic: Saona Sailing Tour with Lunch and Drinks. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see. Land and Jungle Excursions: And we don't forget the land part of the park. Isla Saona is an important turtle breeding ground and you can visit a turtle conservation project on your Saona Island trip. Save. This is the most basic experience to visit the Catalina Island National Park, where you will be able to see its most famous places. They drop you off at a central location and there's a lot of people going to Saona, not so many to Catalina. BOAT RULES. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Children under 3 are FREE! I was scuba diving down there in November and the water temp was around 80 F. We like the Pro Excursions Saona tour because you are on a 45 ft. catamaran (with bathroom) both ways. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Plenty in the sun! 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! Everything is included: gourmet food, service, alcohol, water sports, scuba, linens with a Captain, Chef/Hostess, and first mate. From exploring the natural swimming pools to spotting rare animals, we got you covered! So, if we like snorkeling, Saona is not the best for this? Professional Music Equipment. 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. This is the Caribbean Sea folks. . 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. Catalina Island not only for divers but also for snorkeling is a wonderful vacation experience. You get the boat, the open bar and the food. The natural pool is so stunning it's not really fair. Our private boat tours let you have the experience of your dreams! Diving in Catalina Island reaches its maximum expression in places like The Wall or The Aquarium. We are sure that the crystal clear water of this place will not disappoint you. You have to pay the full boat and the entire crew, doesnt matter how many persons are in your group. Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 5.00/5)Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.92/5)Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.91/5)Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.78/5)Best excursion for families: Family Buggy Adventure* (rating 4.64/5)Not the right tour for you?Check out the 41 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog! to learn more about private tours to Saona Island that are tailored to your preferences! The yacht features a kitchen, a covered seating area and sufficient space outside to lounge and to enjoy the sun. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful ride along the waves to Isla Saona and follow your unique itinerary without feeling rushed or completely dependent on your tour provider and a large group of people you have never met before.