8 hour(s)
English
Included
€ 62.32
€ 57.33
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Isla Saona is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also for its rich and fascinating history. Originally named Adamanay by the Taínos, the island became known as Bella Savonesa after the arrival of Christopher Columbus, who renamed it in honor of Michele da Cuneo, a native of the Italian city of Savona. The island holds deep historical significance, with landmarks like the Cotubanamá cave, where the Taino chief Cotubanamá was tragically executed. Today, the cave serves as a prominent tourist attraction, adding to the island's allure as both a natural paradise and a place of historical intrigue.
In addition to its historical importance, Isla Saona is a cinematic treasure, serving as a backdrop for iconic movie scenes. Some of the famed Pirates of the Caribbean scenes were filmed here, showcasing the island's dramatic landscapes and pristine beaches. However, the movie that truly immortalized Saona in the minds of audiences around the world is Blue Lagoon. Filmed in the island's stunning surroundings, this classic film introduced millions to Saona’s beauty, ensuring that the island remains a must-visit destination for travelers seeking both adventure and a touch of Hollywood magic.
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Our experience on the Saona Island Tours was quite an adventure! However, I must admit, I wasn’t a fan of the chaotic scene as people jostled to board the boat. It felt a bit overwhelming at times. The tour guides could certainly benefit from improving their readiness when it comes to docking and undocking the boats. However, let me tell you, the location itself was absolutely stunning! I was captivated by the beauty of Bayahibe, and honestly, I wish we could have stayed for a couple more days. The beach was simply incredible—much more appealing than what I’ve seen in Punta Cana. If you appreciate breathtaking views and pristine sands, this is definitely the place to be!
Things we were supposed to do like snorkeling and, turtle sanctuary never happened. Drivers and boat captain were great but nobody spoke English, another thing we were supposed to have. Although the locations we went were beautiful, none of the things we paid for were received. Not the guides fault, definitely the company. We made the most of it. Definitely need much more communication up front regarding activities, language, lunch (and cash required), and drinks. Should've been our best excursion but was the most frustrating.
Great experience but very expensive , try snorkeling with a life jacket on, plus getting back on board the boat in deep water was difficult, especially as no rope on the bottom runs of the ladder, food was mediocre on board and at saona island, overall a very long day , it took us 3 hrs to get to the first boat , bus journey very long .
Wonderful Day at Natural Pools and Saona Island Today, my family, friends, and I, along with our children, visited the natural pools and Saona Island as part of an excursion organized by the tour desk at our Bravo Palace Viva by Wyndham hotel. Starting with the natural aspect of the experience, it was truly positive. The natural pools are stunning, and although we could only admire the giant starfish from the catamaran, I appreciated the operators’ efforts to protect the environment. Apparently, just last year, hundreds of starfish died due to careless tourism. At Saona Island, we had the benefit of using the resort’s beach, with lunch and drinks included. While the meal was simpler with fewer options, both the meat and fish were excellent, and I appreciated the dedication of all the staff, as well as the beauty of the location. We were also fortunate with the catamaran trip, which had far fewer people on board compared to other boats that would stay out until the evening—some of those appeared to carry up to 100 people, which, in my opinion, is far too many. Our “combo” tour had us back by 4:30 PM, giving us plenty of time for a snack and another swim in the ocean before sunset. If I were to do this excursion again, I would definitely choose the same setup!
The place is beautiful. However, my experience was negatively impacted by the locals... I totally understand that locals depend on tourism to make a living, but they push constantly offering things, then saying, "Oh, tips are not mandatory, but depend on them" and then reminding you every 5 min about tipping everyone every where; they told us before boarding the speed boat that for safety, they needed a picture of every group in the boat. At the end of the day, they gave us bottles with the picture attached to a bottle full of wood to prepare mamajuana (local liquor) yourself and requested 20 usd for it. Personally, I don't like to feel coerced into buying things that I personally dislike. Additionally, the beach is not well kept. There is a lot of trash, broken pieces of plastic, polystyrene plates, and cigarette butts. The kitchen where the food for the buffet came from was beyond dirty. Then you line up to get your food served, and it feels like jail. The waiters were in a rush. They literally dumped the food, and they did not even ask what you wanted from the options. They had "fresh" fish on a tray with dead lobsters, under at least 35 degrees, no refrigeration whatsoever... a salmonella waiting to happen, anddd, yes, you guessed it, you have to pay extra for it. The boats stay close to the shore, so the water is not crystal clear due to pollution with petrol. I tried to have a peaceful moment, but constantly was interrupted by people selling stuff/services. To be honest, it was really disappointing to see how an amazing place like that island has been taken for granted by the locals and do not take care or protect their natural resources. If you are booking the excursion, DO NOT PAY more than 65 USD per person. AirTransat offers the same thing for 144 CAD plus tax. Expedia is close to 80 USD. I think if you made it to Punta Cana, this excursion is a nice day trip, but the 65 USD per person is over-priced for what they offer you, and get ready for being bombarded with offers and tip demands. Bargain with the representatives at the hotel.
