Full Day Isla Bonita Speed Tours

Note we had done the same tour in 2019 how things have changed. So we had a pick up time of 7:30 am at the lobby. Bus didn't show up until 7:55. It was a way bigger bus than last time there was at least 45 people on this bus compared to maybe 20 last time. So we sat in the back of an old bus there were 3 more resorts after us, and then we were on our way. The. Guide mendy was great very informative. Once we arrived we took our shoes off and left them on the bus. We were guided to a speedboat which sat 16 people on the way there there was 3 boats last trip we were all on a small catamaran type boat that was much much comfortable , not sure exactly how many were in the other boat. After a very fast and rough ride to the island we got to relax and enjoy some sun and beautiful water this had not changed. Rum last time was delicious brugal but this trip we had the cheapest rum in the dr. It wasn't very good, but the fruit was the same, banana, pineapple and watermelon. After 2 or so hours on the island we sped over to the mangroves and then returned to shore. As we re embarked on the bus some french guy decided he was going to sit in my wifes seat. Not cool. We then drove 10 minutes to where we were served lunch. Last time lunch was on the beach. Unfortunately we were on the back of the bus so by the time we got to the buffet there wasn't much food left. I got 2 chicken wings with neck attached and my wife got 2 back with a little bit of rib meat on them. Pretty sad. Also had spaghetti in what tasted like tomato soup but it was cold and a few salads that were now warm. With kola real or water to drink. Left hungry. But got on the bus before french guy so my wife and I could sit together. At that point the guide sent the group of french rude people on a different bus. And we returned back to our hotel with a quick stop at the cigar shop. Last time we got a free cigar and a nice demonstration on how they were made but not this time. By the time we got back we were so thirsty and hungry we both had headaches. We were both pretty disappointed with this tour for the cost. And EVERYONE WANTED A TIP. glad we got to go back to paradise island but we will not be recommending this excursion to anyone anymore. It was disappointing.

Me and my husband and 16 year old daughter and my 52 year old sister went on this excursion. We booked through sunwing and the downfall to that was being picked up and spending half the day in a stuffy bus picking up and dropping off other sunwing resort passengers. (5-6 hours in the bus). They take you to a gift shop bathroom prior to getting on the boat which was needed as there are no bathrooms on boats or island for the next 3 hours. The speed boat ride was fun, they provided fruit and life-jackets and snorkel gear and snorkel tour and that was great and then gave you 2.5 hours to sit on the small island. Honestly, we were done after 90 minutes. That being said, the snorekeling was excellent, and the best we have seen so far. We were really looking forward to the mangroves which was a disappointment because no one was in our boat to tell us anything about them, and we just drove through them. We went on a tour in Punta Cana through mangroves and they had given us lots of history, information and took time. So very poorly done on this particular excursion. Then they drop you back off at the gift shop area where they feed you a typical D.R. lunch (Rice, beans, fried chicken, spaghetti, salad). The part they didn't tell you was that they take you to a gift shop that sales Cigars and MamaJuana etc... and give you samples and wait around while you shop at the gift shop for too long. We were all ready to be home and we had already gone to this exact gift shop/museum 2 days prior on another excursion so that was not cool. The bus did not have enough air and it smelled like diesel and so many people smoke cigarettes everytime we stop so it was hard to get fresh air and we were just ready to be back. This could have easily been a half day tour if we were allowed to just get to our destination and back without the last stop and all the drop off and pick ups. Next time perhaps I would book this excursion through tripadvisor instead as I don't think they have as many people to pick up along the way, but I'm not sure of that either. If you are considering an excursion in Puerta Plata, my advice would be to take the 2 in 1 zip line and 7 falls tour. (Don't do the buggy ride). This Isla Bonita was nice, but not worth being gone 12 hours to snorkel for a minute and fly through mangroves without any information.

I really enjoyed this tour! The tour guide Matia was very friendly he treated us like family. Our Driver Perfecto was so wonderful. Would definitely recommend