Everything You Need To Know About Saona Island

Saona Island, (or Isla Saona in Spanish) is a protected natural area, so there aren’t any large resorts or hotels here. Most visitors opt to stay at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, like the Barceló Bávaro Palace or adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach, and take a day trip or excursion to the island. Get ready to explore this guide and uncover the island’s history, adventures, and wildlife.

During his second voyage to the New World, famed explorer Christopher Columbus visited Saona Island for the first time in 1494. He named the isle after his friend Michele da Cuneo, who hailed from Savona, Italy. But Saona Island was far from deserted when he arrived, as the Taíno people had inhabited the island long before European’s landed on its shores. These Indigenous people called the island “Adamanay.” Gradually, the Taíno people relocated to the mainland, and Saona was mostly uninhabited for centuries, which is one reason why it has remained so pristine for so long.

During his second voyage to the New World, famed explorer Christopher Columbus visited Saona Island for the first time in 1494. He named the isle after his friend Michele da Cuneo, who hailed from Savona, Italy. But Saona Island was far from deserted when he arrived, as the Taíno people had inhabited the island long before European’s landed on its shores. These Indigenous people called the island “Adamanay.” Gradually, the Taíno people relocated to the mainland, and Saona was mostly uninhabited for centuries, which is one reason why it has remained so pristine for so long.

Fun fact: Did you know that many scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed on Saona Island

The best way to get here depends on your starting point, though most Saona Island excursions depart from either Bayahibe or Punta Cana. 

Bayahibe is the village that sits closest to the island, making it the most direct route. The trip from Bayahibe to Saona Island takes approximately 30 minutes by boat. Many Saona Island tours from Bayahibe offer a combination of speedboat and catamaran transportation, so choose whichever best fits your needs and desires.

A Saona Island excursion from Punta Cana requires additional travel time, as you'll first travel to Bayahibe (about 45 minutes by bus) before boarding your boat. Despite the longer trip, Punta Cana to Saona Island tours remain popular because many resorts, like the all-inclusive Barceló Occidental, are located in this area.

There’s no Bayahibe to Saona Island ferry that provides public transportation services, so you’ll have to book a private or group tour to get there. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from! You can choose a tour that includes lunch, snorkeling, exploring, and more…

While hitting the beaches is an absolute must, this incredibly gorgeous destination offers a wide array of additional activities you can enjoy. 

The natural pool off Saona Island ranks among the park’s top attractions. It’s the largest natural swimming pool in the world, and was created by a massive sandbar. That means you can walk hundreds of feet out into the ocean with the water only coming up to your waist. And make sure you keep an eye out for starfish!

The park is home to historically-significant archaeological sites, including over 20 ceremonial plazas, eight indigenous cemeteries, and hundreds of caves and sinkholes that reveal the island's ancient past. The Taíno people considered these caves sacred spaces for ceremonies and rituals. 

The caverns of José María, Ramoncito, and Berna showcase an array of stunning pictographs, paintings, petroglyphs, and carvings created by Taíno artists centuries ago. These underground galleries offer fascinating glimpses into indigenous Caribbean culture. Make sure you also pay a visit to the cueva de Cotubanamá, which was said to have provided refuge for the heroic Taíno chief who fought against the Spanish colonizers in the early 1500s. 

The town of Mano Juan is the largest town on Saona Island, which has a total population of around 500 people. This picturesque tropical fishing village features wooden huts perched on the beach and around town. Here, you can kick back with fellow travelers over a local lunch and beverages, go souvenir shopping, or dance to some bachata music with the locals, all amidst the charming, pastel-colored beach huts and buildings. 

After you’ve hit the top sites, we recommend taking time to observe Saona Island’s stunning and varied wildlife.

Both under the waves and on dry land, the wildlife of Saona Island is truly remarkable. You’ll find an incredibly diverse array of species here, making it a must-visit for Dominican ecotourism explorers.

The best way to discover wildlife here is by going on a Saona Island snorkeling or diving adventure, and one of the best spots to do it is from stunning Catuano Beach.

If you plan to snorkel, ensure you either bring or rent your own gear, or confirm that your tour company provides the necessary equipment. Once you’re in the water, keep your eyes peeled for Caribbean reef squid. This amazing, tiny, torpedo-shaped creature can be tough to spot, as it can change color in the blink of an eye in order to camouflage itself from unwanted attention.

Other fascinating animals to watch out for while partaking in Saona Island snorkeling include the southern stingray, which can be found lurking on the ocean floor. Native to the Atlantic and the Caribbean, they can grow up to five feet wide. Seeing them glide through the water is a beautiful sight… Saona Island’s waters are also known for the porcupine fish, (also known as the puffer fish). They like to wander in shallow spots, making them easy for snorkelers to spot. Porcupine fish can expand to twice their original size when threatened, so keep an eye out for this sizeable and impressive form of sea life.

If snorkeling and scuba diving isn’t your cup of tea, walkers and animal observers also have plenty to experience here. Birdwatchers will love exploring Saona Island’s lush mangroves, where you can spot a seemingly endless variety of winged creatures. In Saona’s coastal mangroves, you’ll want to keep a special lookout for the endangered white-crowned pigeon. As its name suggests, it looks a bit like a common pigeon, but has strikingly white head feathers. 

The one animal you definitely don’t want to miss is the red-footed booby, a close relative of the pelican. Its feet really are bright red, but that’s just the beginning of its colorful style, as it also has an impressive blue beak.

And last, but not least, make sure you look up in Saona Island’s swaying palm trees. You will probably see the palmchat, the national bird of the Dominican Republic. Small, gray and black, they’re most easily found by their joyful singing. The palmchat is not big, but it makes a lot of noise!

No matter what you decide to do and see on to breathtaking island, you absolutely can’t go wrong. Saona Island offers a slice of Caribbean paradise where turquoise waters, golden sands, and vibrant wildlife come together for unforgettable memories.