Caribbean Route Punta Cana · Bayahibe
Caribbean Route picks you up in Bávaro or Bayahibe, runs you out to Saona by speedboat with a stop at the starfish sandbar, gives you the afternoon on the beach and brings you back on a catamaran with music and rum. Pick it for the full classic route, the longest beach stay of the big tours and guides in six languages.
This is the day most people mean when they say they did Saona. A coach collects you from your hotel in Bávaro or Bayahibe, stops for 15 minutes at La Güira café on the way, and reaches Bayahibe beach after roughly 70 minutes of road. From there a speedboat runs along the coast of Cotubanamá National Park to the natural pool, a waist-deep sandbar out at sea where cushion sea stars sit on the sand.
Then comes the long part, and the good part. The listing gives about 3.5 hours on Saona for swimming, the hammocks and the buffet, which is barbecue chicken, pork, rice, beans, salad and fruit, with rum, beer and soft drinks on tap. In the late afternoon you board the catamaran for about 1.5 hours back to Bayahibe. The crew turns it into a dance party, and reviewers love or tolerate that in roughly equal measure.
Now the honest bits. From Bávaro, around half of an 8-hour day is coach and boat. The pool stop is short: the inclusions say 30 minutes, the itinerary 40, and one guest wrote that 30 minutes was not enough. Pickups are early and the coach collects from many hotels, so some guests report waiting in the sun. The beach is the busy main stretch, with vendors and a photo team selling a package. If you want quiet, look at the luxury catamaran or the group of 20 instead.
A coach collects you in Bávaro or Bayahibe. Your pickup time comes with the booking, and the bus does not wait long.
30 minutes on the coach, a 15-minute break at La Güira café, then 25 minutes more to Bayahibe beach.
A fast run along the park coast, then a swim at the sandbar. Look at the starfish where they lie.
Swimming, sun loungers and palms, with the buffet lunch served on the island.
Music, a dance show and the open bar on the sail to Bayahibe, then the coach to your hotel.
★★★★★I will remember the catamaran party forever!! best people, best trip
★★★★★One of the highlights of my trip! Alex and Mickey made sure everything ran smoothly.
★★★★★The crew in the catamaran was high energy and made us all dance!
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The itinerary gives about 3.5 hours on the island, with lunch, and the inclusions say about 3 hours. Add 30 to 40 minutes at the natural pool. The rest of the 8-hour day is the coach and the boats.
From hotels in Bávaro or Bayahibe. The road leg from Bávaro is about 70 minutes with a 15-minute café stop. Our Punta Cana to Saona guide has the full journey.
Only on the VIP option, which adds lobster and premium drinks. Lobster is not served from 1 March to 1 June, the closed breeding season.
Yes. The crew runs music, a dance show and the open bar for about 1.5 hours. If you would rather sail home quietly, the luxury catamaran from Bayahibe has no loud music.
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Speedboat out, a swim at the starfish sandbar, about three and a half hours on the beach and a catamaran home. Lunch and open bar included.
Saona Catamaran Day with Food & Open BarThe lowest price for the full Saona day: natural pool, beach, buffet and a catamaran home with an open bar.★ 4.4 · 8 to 8.5 hours
Full-Day Saona Excursion with Catamaran PartyThe busy classic route at a budget price: speedboat, natural pool, about 3.5 hours on Saona and a party catamaran.★ 4.0 · 10.5 hours
Saona in a Small Group of 20, Speedboat Both WaysAt most 20 guests, a speedboat both ways and about four hours on the beach with reserved loungers. No party boat.★ 4.8 · 10 hours