The island is stunning and well worth visiting but not in the manner we did it.
An early wake up and meet at 7:20 followed by 6 hours of travel including a bus doing several stops including being forced into a tourist shop only 40 mins in. Then you get to the port where you are forced to have your photo taken for what they say is a security photo. What it actually is, is they print it and stick it on a bottle of rum which then forced on you ont he bus back. The bus not moving until the guy on the bus has come past you with a card machine asking you to buy it.
The journey itself to the island took 6 hours and then you have 1.5 hours on that island. It should be bliss and it is , but it’s also full of boats, people trying to Be Instagram famous and relentless people trying to sell things
The way back is just as unorganised. To the point of pulling into a petrol station and people off loaded into cabs
An 8 hr tour that takes 12. A tour guide who speaks 80 percent Spanish 20 percent English and more time using transport than enjoying the beautiful country
F
fionabY4240GM
September 15, 2026
Not enough time at Sapna island
Was ok, but definitely too short time at Saona island. We chose this tour guide from the reviews but our experience was very different. We got picked up at 7.20am and bought back at 7.30pm. We only had 35 minutes at the natural pool and 1 hour 45 minutes at Saona island, which is not enough time to actually feel relaxed enough to enjoy. Very disappointing as had booked because we were hoping for at least 3 hours or more. There was a lot of waiting around, such a shame because it really could be amazing excursion if timed well. I recommend to find a tour guide that guarantees the time spent at natural pool and saona island.
C
Coastal26267308870
September 14, 2026
Saona, a paradise
I was a little afraid of the "mass excursion" aspect, but I was blown away. The bus was comfortable, the trip well-paced. Arrived in Saona: generous and tasty food provided, open bar really open (no ridiculous limit). The team was adorable, always there for a smile or a drink. The people in the group were nice, we spent a relaxed and joyful day. The beach is a paradise. Rating: 10/10 without hesitation, we recommend it with our eyes closed.
1
1lamineg
September 14, 2026
Magical Day in Saona
We spent one of the most beautiful days of our vacation in Saona. The bus was punctual and air-conditioned, the guide very funny and warm. On site: quality food provided and a generous open bar without interruption. The atmosphere was relaxed, the people in the group super pleasant, we even made new acquaintances. The beach is just sublime. Thank you for this perfect experience, we still talk about it every night!
S
suewA2312CL
September 13, 2026
Pleasant
Overall the tour was ok, but the catamaran didn’t have enough seating and I felt the beach was overcrowded and the lunch was bland. But the staff and the tour guide were great!
D
Discover59199273103
September 12, 2026
Not much time on Isla Soná
As a couple, we booked the excursion to Isla Soná and were unfortunately not satisfied with the tour overall.
We had explicitly booked a German-speaking tour. Unfortunately, the tour was conducted exclusively in Spanish and English. In addition, the tour guide spoke very poor English, which made it difficult at times to follow the explanations.
Another major point of criticism was the enormous amount of time spent on transportation. The tour began as early as 7:30 AM, but almost four hours were lost at the beginning due to the journey and various intermediate stops. Among other things, we were first taken to a building where we had almost an hour to buy souvenirs. That was completely unnecessary for us and cost valuable time from the actual tour.
Afterward, we headed toward Isla Soná by speedboat. On the way, there was another stop at the so-called Natural Pool. However, this was extremely crowded and therefore nothing special for us. We had expected significantly more from this part of the program.
On Isla Soná, we were then told that we would have three hours of free time. In reality, however, it was only about two hours, which was very disappointing. Especially when you consider that the tour already started at 7:30 AM and we didn't get back to the hotel until around 6:30 PM, we would have liked significantly more time on the island.
Overall, we had the impression that a great deal of time was spent on transportation and unnecessary stops, and as a result, the actual time on Isla Soná was far too short. It was particularly disappointing for us that the booked German-speaking tour was not offered.
For us, it is therefore certain that we would not book this tour again due to the price-performance ratio and the organization.
G
Gemma_F
September 12, 2026
Amazing Island trip ….
Amazing experience visiting Soana Island …. Crystal blue sea, the whitest sand and pineapple on the beach! Our tour guide kept us safe with clear instructions throughout. Catamaran there and speed boat back.
Just a few things to note - it is a long day out. Our travel time from hotel to the drop off for the catamaran was about 2.5 hours with a stop off mid way to pick others up. You then spend an hour and 20 mins on the catarmaran to a beautiful pool in the middle of the ocean (totally shallow and safe but they have life jackets on board I’m case) you spend about 45 mins there before heading to the island and get around 2.5 - 3 hours with food and open bar included and then it’s the speedboat back. Lots of sunscreen needed (especially on the catarmaran) and you get pretty soaked on the speedboat but it’s fun.
Overall, a must see if you come to DR! The staff on the boats were great too walking around with rum and coke for drinks.
Would 10000% recommend!
6
626ellenx
September 11, 2026
Wonderful
Wonderful experience, very pleasant ride!
M
Matthew_P
September 7, 2026
An absolutely brilliant full‑day experience from start to finish — exceptional value for two families (nine people) and
.🌴 Smooth, Well‑Organised Transfers
Pick‑up from our Punta Cana hotel was timely and efficient, starting with a small minibus before transferring to a larger coach. The journey was comfortable, with a halfway stop for a quick break and a browse around a souvenir shop. It set the tone for a well‑run day.
⛵ Catamaran Experience
The catamaran was amazing — great atmosphere, light music, and plenty of soft drinks and rum for anyone who wanted it. The first 30 minutes were relaxing before we reached the natural sandbank, which was a real highlight. The water was crystal clear, beautifully shallow, and we were lucky enough to see a ray glide past us.
🏖️ Saona Island
After another short sail, we arrived at Saona Island, which is genuinely paradise. We had a private section of beach, giving us space to enjoy the surroundings.
Lunch was pretty standard, but honestly fair for the price of the full trip. The island time was fantastic — free piña coladas served in pineapples, fresh coconuts, beach sellers if you wanted souvenirs, and even massage options.
🚤 Speedboat Return
The return journey was on a speedboat, which was safe, fun, and got us back to the harbour in around 45 minutes. Straight onto the coach and directly back to the hotel — no swapping vehicles on the return, which was appreciated after a long day.
👏 Outstanding Guide
Our guide, Mama Yaris, was exceptional — friendly, informative, and engaging in both English and Spanish. She really elevated the experience and kept the whole group smiling throughout the day.
⭐ Final Thoughts
A full 10‑hour day, great value, and a brilliant first experience booking through Viator. We’d happily use them again and would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting Punta Cana.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a lovely review! 💙 We’re truly happy to know that you and your families enjoyed the whole day, from the catamaran and natural pool to beautiful Saona Island.
And we’ll definitely share your kind words with Mama Yaris, she’ll be so happy to hear them! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we really appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Punta Cana! 🌴🌊
P
Passenger09470500268
September 4, 2026
The catamaran and the beaches
Excellent, it is an unforgettable experience
事業者からの返答
¡Muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia! Nos alegra muchísimo saber que disfrutaste del catamarán y de las hermosas playas de Saona. Nos encanta saber que fue una experiencia inolvidable para ti. ¡Esperamos volver a recibirte pronto!