Saona island - Small group tour - Luxury catamaran

One catamaran for the whole day, a small group, snorkelling at Catuano, an hour and a half on a quiet corner of Saona’s beach with loungers in the shade, and lunch cooked on board on the way to the natural pool. Quetzal Excursions’ day is rated 4.7 from 356 reviews.

You board around 9 am in Bayahibe from a water taxi and sail about an hour and a quarter to the old pier at Catuano, where snorkellers see tropical fish; recent guests also spotted stingrays. A ten-minute sail and a five-minute walk then take you to the operator’s corner of the beach, reached early enough to beat the crowds, before the boat moves on to the Las Palmillas natural pool with lunch served on the way. Snorkel gear, snacks, drinks and the national park fees are included. October guests praised the crew, named Rémy, and described the boat as pleasantly uncrowded.

Practical points from the listing: pickup is in Bayahibe and Dominicus only, and from Punta Cana, Santo Domingo or La Romana it costs extra; lobster is an upgrade on request; it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments; guests at Club Med Punta Cana must book through the Club Med excursion desk instead.

The price is from $169 a person (checked October 2026), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For the other quiet ways to Saona, see the best Saona tour guide and the private tour page.