Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Private Charter to Saona Island tour takes place onboard our beautiful 38 foot motorized double decker catamaran. This is the perfect tour for those who wish to visit the beautiful Saona island on their own terms.
With large open spaces and two decks it is a favorite choice among groups for the Best Catamaran Charter in Punta Cana experience.
This is also a way that families with both divers and snorkelers can spend the day together enjoying the activities they love.
Marvel at a sunken shipwreck, dive or snorkel on a fabulous reef that is home to stingrays and turtles and explore the natural wonders of Dominican Republic away from the crowds.
We pride ourselves on our VIP Service and take care of all details for you from loading gear, serving you a cold drink, changing the tanks our staff is there anticipating your every need. If you love the sea and all things in it then this is the tour for you!
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
As a certified diver please make sure you allow at least 18 hours out of the water after your last dive prior to your flight
Consider your physical health when choosing this activity as swimming can be strenuous and ocean currents change and may be a challenge if you are not physically fit.
Diving within 24 hours prior to flying is not recommended. All participants in dive courses will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
What To Expect
Travel time from pick up to the boat is roughly 50 minutes from Punta Cana. Our first stop is the Atlantic Princess shipwreck where you will snorkel. Enjoy snacks as we cruise to the next stop. Peñon Reef a joy for both snorkelers & divers will love searching for turtles and stingrays. Afterwards, Cruise to Saona Island - all snorkelers will have free time to explore the beach, swim, snorkel at the old pier, shop for souvenirs or get a massage. Meanwhile the divers will do their second dive. Later everyone will wnjoy a buffet lunch together on the island. Starfish Cay (Palmilla), a waist-deep crystal clear sandbar is our last stop. Enjoy the music, drinks or the wonderful views as we start our journey back to where your air conditioned vehicle will be waiting to take you back to the hotel. You can expect to return to the hotel by roughly 5 pm depending on the location. Note to divers: you will be grouped by experience level and never dive more than 4 divers to one guide. We are a PADI Diver Center Please note that any portion of this tour may be changed at your request as this is your Private Tour and you may choose to stay longer or forgo stops as you wish.
Options
Larger Group Option
For Groups of 7 to 15 guests Pickup included
Private Full Day Charter to Saona Island from Punta Cana
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Buffet lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Unlimited drinks (open bar)
Snacks
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Mojitos
Dive equipment for certified divers
DJ on the Boat
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
46 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Incredible Experience!
G6279AScindys,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our boat charter with El Tour Caribe in Punta Cana was easily one of the standout experiences of our company offsite! The crew was outstanding—friendly, attentive, professional, and truly committed to ensuring everyone had a fantastic time. Their positive energy was infectious, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere from beginning to end. The music was spot-on and kept the energy up throughout the trip. The food and drinks were equally impressive—fresh, delicious, and abundant. Every detail was well thought out and flawlessly executed. If you're looking for an unforgettable day on the water in Punta Cana, I highly recommend El Tour Caribe. Between the beautiful boat, exceptional crew, great food, and overall experience, everything exceeded our expectations. We would happily book with them again!
Five Stars Isn’t Enough
X351LYlindseym,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you're considering a private charter to Saona Island, stop searching and book with El Tour Caribe. We have chartered boats throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, and this was hands-down the best boating excursion we've ever experienced. Our group of five adults and one 16-year-old booked the private La Dichosa charter for a full day. From the moment we were picked up at our hotel at 7:30 AM, everything was seamless. The transportation was comfortable, air-conditioned, and included WiFi and bottled water. La Dichosa was comfortable, well maintained, had plenty of shaded seating, and a restroom onboard. We were welcomed with fresh fruit and delicious breakfast cake, which set the tone for an amazing day. What truly sets El Tour Caribe apart is the crew. Starlin, our guide and bartender, was phenomenal. Along with Captain Wonder (first charter), Captain Anthony (second charter), Chef Mauricio, Snorkel Guide Henry, DJ Ariel ("Po Po Po Po!"), crew member Denzel, and our driver Raymundo, they created an experience that felt completely personalized. Before departure they asked about our favorite artists and customized the music throughout the day. The service was unlike anything we've experienced. Whether we were on the boat, snorkeling, or relaxing in the turquoise water, our drinks were always full, the crew remembered our preferences, and they anticipated our needs before we even asked. The attention to detail was incredible. When my husband was manually inflating a raft, the crew immediately used their onboard air tank to inflate it for him. After we mentioned our resort didn't provide conditioner, Raymundo even stopped so we could pick some up. The snorkeling was fantastic. We saw sea turtles, a stingray, starfish, crabs, conch shells, and countless tropical fish. The equipment was in excellent condition and Henry made everyone feel comfortable and safe. The seafood lunch upgrade was absolutely worth it. Chef Mauricio prepared grilled fish, grilled shrimp, ceviche, fried calamari, vegetables, potatoes, and fresh pineapple. Throughout the day we also enjoyed fresh fruit, breakfast cake, empanadas, egg rolls, and a vegetable tray. The itinerary included two snorkeling stops, a beautiful island lunch, and an unforgettable sandbar with crystal-clear turquoise water. Sitting in waist-deep water with a drink in hand while the crew delivered snacks was vacation perfection. We loved it so much that we immediately booked a second private charter during the same vacation. If you're wondering whether it's worth the price, the answer is absolutely yes. Thank you to Starlin, Captain Wonder, Captain Anthony, Mauricio, Henry, Ariel, Denzel, and Raymundo for creating memories our family will never forget.
Amazing trip, worth the cost!!
Adventure216034,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic time with El Tour Caribe!!! We did two trips with them in both were amazing. We did a half day on the smaller boat and a full day out to Soano Island on the larger boat. Lise (owner) took the time to find out what we were interested in seeing and doing ahead of time and is very adaptable. For example making sure the dive spots we’re good for all the divers once we were on site. One of the recommended sites was a wash due to low visibility and the crew adapted on the fly and got us to a more suitable place to dive Their equipment is well-maintained, serviced and they make sure everybody is comfortable with their equipment prior to use. Equipment is provided with no added cost, however, you are also able to use your own if you prefer. The crew is very nice and there was tons of delicious fresh food throughout the entire trip that day. As for getting to and from the port, El Tour Caribe set up a good transportation and explain to us ahead of time, roughly how long it would take to get from our accommodations to the port. Ultimately, this will probably be the only dive company I use in the Dominican Republic in the future. Thank you, El Tour Caribe fantastic trip.
Great diving experience
tkal,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Liz did a great job of guiding our 12 year old daughter for a scuba discovery experience. Our daughter is talking about it a week later! The lunch provided at the island was memorable (We saw ells, rays, drum fish and crads to name a few species). All the staff including Starlin & Anderson were welcoming and professional. I would recommend Liz to any family seeking an easy going scuba experience:)
PERFECT DAY AT SEA!
227evelynk,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Couldn't have imagined a more perfect day, Lise and crew were fabulous hosts. Got an early start to the day making all the snorkeling/scuba stops private. Inbetween stops Henry had the drinks flowin, apps were passed and tunes were bumpin. Overall great experience would not hesitate tool book again.
College spring break
keeleybrooks,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the highlights of our trip. We had a group of 40, and the logistics were handled perfectly from the villa pickup to the dock and throughout the day. The crew was professional, friendly, and made everything easy. Snorkeling the shipwreck was incredible, and the stop at the sandbar for drinks and food was such a fun touch. Everything ran on time and exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend for groups!
Perfect Family Adventure
Scenic60618129494,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was absolutely perfect for our family of 13. We had a mix of youth and adult scuba divers, a few snorkelers, and others who just wanted to relax and enjoy the day. This trip made it possible for all of us to spend the day together while still allowing everyone to be as active and adventurous as they wanted. The owners and their staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The food was excellent—far better than what we had been eating at our resort—and they were constantly offering us delicious food and drinks throughout the day. One of the highlights was getting to do a fish fry with the lionfish we caught while spearfishing! They gave us several itinerary options and allowed us to customize the trip to fit our group perfectly. Their boat and dive gear were in great condition, and it was clear they knew exactly what they were doing. They chose the best spots for the day based on the weather and made sure everyone was having a great time. Communication leading up to the tour was also excellent—they were quick to respond and very clear through WhatsApp. I highly recommend this company. It ended up being one of the best experiences of our entire trip.
One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had
E3945AOjessicas,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Literally one of the best experiences of my life. They made us AMAZING food on the boat. Great drinks. Best time ever
Magical day at sea!
Shay A,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most magical day with El Tour Caribe. Our group had 8 people - some diving and some snorkeling - and everyone was blown away by how incredible our experience was. Iise and her crew were the absolute best and took care of us from the moment we stepped on board. The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious (honestly the best we had during our trip in the Dominican Republic), and the drinks were fantastic. Iise knew exactly where to take us and at what times so we could have a peaceful day at sea without being inundated with larger tourist boats. She even took us to a sand bar after all the diving and snorkeling were done where we could swim with just our group for at least 45 minutes without any other people. I cannot recommend this tour and company enough. I would not hesitate to book again with El Tour Caribe, and I know our entire group will never forget the day we spent with them. Thank you everyone at El Tour Caribe!!
This is how you do Soana
DayTrip57632477102,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of 8 rented the boat for the day. We snorkeled in 3 spots, had a secluded beach ALONE on Soana Island and my husband dove twice. The experience was outstanding. From pickup to drop-off it was a 10 hour day. The crew fed us till we couldn't move. Snacks and treats all day long with an amazing lunch spread all prepared by the chef on board. Did I mention the DJ who played everything we requested! THIS is how you do Soana Island. During the snorkels we saw a shipwreck, turtles, rays, crabs, starfish and tropical fish on the reef. The divers saw lion fish, turtles, rays, lobsters, eel, flute fish, piranha just to name a few. The assistance and direction given by the dive instructor was amazing. She addressed every question we had. We'll be back to DR and my husband will 100% be diving with her again while I hang out on board with her fantastic crew.
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