Jul 20, 2025
Amazing time & Service! - We thoroughly enjoyed this trip From Punta Cana to Saona island 🏝️ To reach the Caribbean blue waters! This semi-private, small group tour brought us to tropical paradise where one just dreams of getting away and forgetting the rest of the world.
Stops in this order:
Mano Juan village & Turtle Sanctuary on Saona Island
Playa del Gato beach on Saona Island
Stella marine beach & Piscina Natural Saona on the coast of Cotubanamá National Park
Total travel time was 2 hours from Punta Cana. Pick up was on time and our tour operator Melvin was courteous and attentive. We arrived at Bayahibe point around 8am (from hotel pick up to boat, including stops and 1 hour drive time) We boarded a small 16 seat speed boat and arrived on the shores of Saona Island by 9am.
The small, quiet village of Mano Juan greeted us with cool island breezes, where we enjoyed a simple breakfast of fresh fruit & sandwiches before walking to the turtle sanctuary a few minutes away. El Centro Recuperación De Tortugas Marinas, has been led by the same passionate man for over 20 years. We were lucky enough to observe new hatchlings waiting for release.
The next nearby stop was Playa del Gato beach. Our early arrival allowed us to be the only visitors on that beach for a while. A delicious hot lunch was served at 12:30 with lively refreshments included. This peaceful spot was reserved for 3 hours, Picturesque beach of soft sand, calm waves & cool Caribbean colors.
We left the island at 1:30pm towards our next 2 stops, just a few mins up the coast to enjoy snorkeling, swimming and starfish gazing. The clear shallow water was warm and inviting, easy to enjoy all day! We would have preferred a longer stop here, it was amazing! but we were back on the boat by 2:30, docked back at Bayahibe by 3:30pm. Back to hotel by 5:30.
Overall, yes we would book again! I would advise the operators to check life jackets for size availability and safety, some were too small and buckles broken.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 19, 2025
10/10 experience - The driver came to pick us at our hotel and took us to the boat, it was a 30 min speed boat ride to the island which was interesting. We went to the island and had a cultural tour of the island and then went to the beautiful beach, which we were the first ones there. It gets very busy in the afternoon. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and the food included was delicious would definitely recommend doing it it was the best part of our DR trip.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 19, 2025
- This trip was truly amazing, getting up early and being the first boat to arrive at Saona Island was well worth it. Melvin was a great tour guide giving a historical perspectice on the van trip to the island. His knowledge of all aspects of the island was excellent. The small boat trip of 14 people allowed for many more stops and experiences. The food and drinks were great. The captain and mate did an excellent job of minimizing boat wake. We also enjoyed the visit to Pilagio Paulina and all the work he has done to protect turtles. So glad we did this instead of the big party boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 19, 2025
Melvin Family! - My boyfriend and I loved this tour. We felt very well taken care of throughout the day. This is a private excursion with a small group of 10-12 people. Our tour guide Melvin was very professional and clear on the expectations of the trip. I recommend this tour to anyone wanting an experience Isla Saona in an exclusive way. We had the beach to ourselves because he brought us out early. We want to thank Melvin for such a beautiful day and showing a side of Isla Saona that not many people see.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 18, 2025
We have become repeat customers!! - This was our 2nd time to do this excursion with Melvin and he remembered us from 2 years ago!!! It’s wonderful! And I would recommend it to everyone!! We especially like supporting Negro, the turtle man in Mano Juan!’ We will return!!!
Review provided by Viator
Jul 16, 2025
Amazing Experience with Melvin - We had an incredible experience on the Saona Island tour with Melvin as our guide! From the start, Melvin stood out with his professionalism, knowledge, and warm personality. He made sure we left early, which was such a smart move — we got to enjoy the beauty of Saona before the crowds arrived, and it made the whole day feel so much more exclusive and relaxed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 16, 2025
Perfect - Amazing! You will love all of it. Fun, culture, learning and the beach is impeccable! Book this one!
Review provided by Viator
Jul 14, 2025
100/100! Melvin was the... - 100/100! Melvin was the greatest tour guide and made everybody feel included. He noticed that I was solo and he took pictures for me which I really appreciated. He knew a lot about the history of the DR and Saona Island which was really cool and informative. Yes you do have to wake up at 5 am to be picked up by 6 am but it is worth it!!!! We were the first ones on the beach so it felt nice. It started getting filled with people/boats around 11 am. I really enjoyed that this excursion is basically a 4 in 1
Review provided by Viator
Jul 16, 2025
“Amazing Day- Staff Went Above and Beyond for My Son” - Perfect Small-Group Tour – Worth Every Penny!
We booked this tour because we didn’t want to be packed onto a boat or beach with hundreds of people — and this experience was exactly what we were hoping for. It felt personal, peaceful, and was worth every penny.
What we loved:
• Small group (max 12 people our tour had 10): The entire day felt more relaxed and personal. No loud crowds or being rushed. The crowds were showing up as we were leaving to the next location
• Early pick-up = private beach time: Yes, it’s an early start, but being on the beach for nearly two hours before multiple large tour boats (carrying 100+ people) arrived was absolutely magical.
• Wi-Fi in the van: A nice bonus, especially during the longer drives.
• Buffet lunch was incredible: Genuinely the best meal we had during our stay in the Dominican. The buffet included freshly prepared meats, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit — everything was delicious and done to a high standard.
• Free professional photos: A wonderful surprise — beautifully taken and shared with us at no extra charge.
• Staff and driver: Friendly, helpful, and truly made the experience special.
One small downside:
The listing mentions a “simple breakfast,” but the options ended up being pre-made grilled cheese and lunch meat sandwich or pre made grilled cheese with tomato / with pineapple and cantaloupe. That may work for some, but if you don’t eat bread or cheese, it’s not ideal — especially for my teenager who can’t eat processed cheese.
We had left our resort at 6 AM, and with no food available to bring, my son was quite hungry waiting until the 12:30 lunch. However, the host went above and beyond to make sure he had something to eat, which we really appreciated.
Final thoughts:
Every stop was amazing, the service was exceptional, and the overall experience was unforgettable. I would highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for something more intimate, well-organized, and memorable — without the crowds. We loved this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Jul 17, 2025
Extremely disappointed and sad - I had basically booked my entire trip to the Dominican Republic based on this tour alone. They randomly cancelled 24 hours prior to the excursion. They were extremely unhelpful in rescheduling my excursion and left me honestly feeling heart broken me, my dad & mom.
You may want to think twice before booking an excursion with this company, because I wouldn’t want you to feel as sad and disappointed as my family are.
Review provided by Viator
