8 Luxury Island Tours in the Dominican Republic Worth Flying For

1.Saona Island small group and relax – luxury catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 605 reviews · from $139Our pick

Cruise from Bayahibe aboard the 75-foot Quetzal catamaran with a group capped at 30. Snorkel at Catuano, relax on Saona Island, and swim at Las Palmillas among starfish. Guides such as Charlotte, Lola, and Enrique provide commentary, while lunch, snacks, drinks, and equipment are included.

“One of the best experiences I had on an excursion! The boat is clean, relaxing atmosphere. The meal they provided was excellent. The stops to the island, snorkeling were definitely worth the $$. Job well done!!”

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2.Catalina Island – Snorkeling tour on a luxury catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $129

Spend about eight hours aboard the Quetzal catamaran from La Romana or Bayahibe. Snorkel at Catalina’s Wall and Aquarium, eat a buffet lunch, relax on the beach, and enjoy beer, rum, soft drinks, and commentary. The small group, often around 10 to 15 people, gives you more room than crowded boats. Pickup is available, with extra fees from Punta Cana and Uvero Alto.

“If you're going to do a catamaran trip from Bayahibe, this is the ONLY one you should consider. We passed a number of other catamarans and they we're all jammed packed with like 50-60 people jammed sholder-to-shoulder on deck without a spot of shade. By contrast, there were maybe 14-15 people, tops, on our trip on the smaller, but beautiful, Quetzal. Plenty of room in the shade both outside on the aft deck and inside the boat. And the space up on the nets over the water on the bow between the hulls was so amazing and relaxing. If I had any complaint it would be that we never actually…”

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3.Saona island – Small group tour – Luxury catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 139 reviews · 10 hours · from $169

Spend 10 hours aboard the Quetzal with guides such as Angel, Charlotte, or Bernard, sailing from Bayahibe toward Saona Island. You’ll snorkel at Catuano, relax on a quieter beach corner, eat fresh lunch on board, and swim in Las Palmillas natural pool among starfish. This is a calm alternative to speedboats and party cruises.

“Our guide was so nice, as well as the crew on board. Everything was exactly like described. I highly recommend booking the trip to Saona Island with this company. The group was small and nice, too. I loved everything about it!”

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4.Santo Domingo: Saona Island VIP Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 116 reviews · 7 - 12 hours

Travel from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo to Bayahibe, then cross by catamaran or speedboat to Saona Island. You’ll swim at a natural pool near a starfish sanctuary, enjoy a Caribbean buffet, and return with music, dancing, and an open bar. English, Italian, and Spanish service is available.

“Excelente tour a Isla Saona. La organización fue clara, el personal siempre atento y el ambiente muy agradable. Disfrutamos mucho la música, la playa y el almuerzo típico.”

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5.Private Luxury Catamaran – Saona or Catalina island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews

You get a private Quetzal catamaran for up to 15 people, with a captain, crew, guide, snacks, and drinks included. Shape the day around Catuano, Saona, Las Palmillas, snorkeling, beaches, or quiet coastal stops. Guides such as Joy and Lola have earned praise for attentive service and local help.

“My family and I are very happy with this beautiful excursion ,…. We had a beautiful time. The welcome was beautiful and the food was spectacular, delicious and tasty. There were lots of variety off food to pick from the Buffett was incredible !!!!! Thank you to the whole crew who made my whole family feel welcome and loved !”

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6.Saona Island VIP 4 first-class beach and sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · 10 hours · from $125Best value

Spend about 10 hours exploring Saona Island by speedboat, with stops at the Natural Pool, Canto de la Playa, Mano Juan, and Playa Toro. You get lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and a sunset stop. Guide Shalomy has led the trip, and Cap Cana pickup costs extra.

“Jammer van het weer maar gelukkig kwam later toch nog een beetje zon. Fijn dat het met de speedboot was. Vond het eind het mooist, met beetje ondergaande zon, midden in de oceaan zeesterren bekijken. Was een mooi en romamtisch eind voor Valentijnsdag!”

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7.Saona Island VIP: 4 Beaches , Mano Juan & Canto de la Playa

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $130

Spend 10 hours exploring Saona Island with a multilingual English- and Spanish-speaking guide, speedboat transfers, four beaches, a private beach area, and buffet lunch with seafood paella and grilled meats. Guide Cuchi Cuchi has earned warm praise for his energy and care. Pickup is included from many accommodations.

“Experiencia recomendada 100%, visitamos 4 playas en este tour a saona vip y todas eran hermosas pero la que más me gusta fue playa canto de la playa. La recogida en el hotel fue super rapida, no tuvimos ningún tipo de inconvenientes y hubo una pequeña parada mientras de 10 minutos esperamos otras personas; el transporte era cómodo y contaba con aire acondicionado. Al llegar a bayahibe abordamos la lancha sin esperas y estábamos en compañía del guía cuchi cuchi quien fue muy atento en todo momento y muy animado. Al momento de almorzar había un buffet con diferentes opciones y hasta paella (muy buena). El tour en si es…”

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8.VIP tour to Paradise Island & The Mangroves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $158

Leave Cabarete at 6:00 a.m. for Punta Rucia, then speed by boat to Cayo Arena, also called Paradise Island. With a local guide such as Richard, you get snorkeling gear, fruit, drinks, a guided reef visit, mangrove sightseeing, beach lunch, and a stop at Estero Hondo for manatees. Pickup is included.

“To get to punta rucia was like 1-1:30 hr ride then we got into speed boat 25min ride to paradise island (Cayo de arena) were we had some drinks snacks and we’re able to do some snorkeling and that on the way back we pass by the mangroves. Staff was great and snacks were good!”

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