Saona is the postcard: white sand, palms leaning over the water, no buildings. It sits inside Cotubanamá National Park off the south-east coast, and it is the single most photographed place in the Dominican Republic.
The day starts on a catamaran along the coast, with a stop at the Palmillas natural pool — a sandbank far enough offshore that the water is turquoise and only waist deep, where the boat ties up and everyone gets in. Then the island itself, lunch at a beach restaurant, and an open bar that runs all day.
The return is by speedboat in the late afternoon, which is faster and a good deal more fun. Be aware this is a long day from Las Terrenas: Saona is on the other side of the country, and that is why the price from here is higher than from Bayahíbe.
The Saona Island tour from Las Terrenas runs every day from six people, and the start is early — tell us where you are staying and we confirm the pickup time.
