Saona Island (Spanish: Isla Saona), located within the southern vicinity of the Dominican Republic near La Romana, is a part of the Cotubanamá National Park, constituting one of the country's biggest islands at about 110 rectangular kilometers. Its allure lies inside the expanse of 68 kilometers of pristine white sandy seashores, complemented by azure waters and an unbroken line of coconut arms. En course to Saona Island, one encounters outstanding coral reefs, domestic to a diverse array of avian and aquatic life, justifying its moniker as the "Caribbean Dream Beach."
On Sona Island, visitors can explore many plant species native to the Dominican Republic. The island encompasses four extraordinary ecosystems: shrubbery, semi-humid forests, salt marshes, and mangroves. Moreover, the seashores are mere meters away from the jungle, fostering a sensation of detachment from the rest of the sector and fostering a genuine sense of contentment.
| Name | Saona Island (Spanish: Isla Saona) |
| Country | Dominican Republic |
| Province | La Altagracia |
| Coordinates | 18°09′20″N 68°41′58″W |
| Area | 110 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-4 |
| Population | 300 |
| Airport | N/A |
Things to Do on Saona Island
The Most Beautiful Beach on Saona Island
Saona Island is home to about 300 citizens who are divided among two settlements: Mano Juan and Catuano. Mano Juan is an old-fashioned fishing village with captivating wooden homes, while Catuano, also referred to as "Catuano Beach," hosts a naval detachment.
You can explore two of Saona Island's most picturesque seashores strolling. Each beach is located at opposite ends of the island, necessitating separate visits.
1. Canto de La Playa:
This beach is the primary prevent on Saona Island and may be reached by a 40-minute walk from Mano Juan alongside a jungle path. Alternatively, you may opt for biking, motorcycling, or boating.
Canto de la Playa stands as one of the country's most lovely beaches. Timing your go-to correctly can offer unique snorkeling possibilities. However, refrain from touching or taking starfish out of the water.
Wear snug footwear (avoid sandals), long pants, apparel that covers your palms, and follow enough insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes.
Services are scarce in this seashore, missing facilities including bathrooms, sun loungers, umbrellas, or bars for shopping. Nonetheless, it boasts kilometers of lovely white sand, emerald waters, and a mess of palm trees, developing a paradisiacal environment.
2. Playa El Toro
Playa El Toro is situated at the alternative end of Canto de la Playa. To get there, you will need to walk along a jungle trail, much like the only main to the preceding beach, which takes approximately 30 minutes of strolling. Alternatively, you may journey on a bicycle or motorbike or take a boat.
At El Toro beach, the sand is nice and white, the water is emerald inexperienced, and it is covered with palm bushes. It's a stunning beach, also considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Saona Island and nationally.
This beach resembles a tongue because it's surrounded by water on each side. On one facet is the emerald inexperienced sea, and on the opposite aspect is a lagoon.
Just like at Canto de la Playa, you might not discover any services here—no lavatories, meal vendors, sun loungers, or buildings. It's a totally undeveloped seashore.
Diving and Snorkeling
For diving and snorkeling fans, Saona Island is a paradise waiting to be explored. Each year, it draws several divers drawn by the allure of its emerald waters, which cover the wreckage of a 17th-century cruising delivers.
If you bask in snorkeling, you will not most effectively wander on the underwater flora and fauna but additionally examine remnants of ammunition, cannons, and other steel additives of stranded ships resting at the seabed.
Visit Shona: Ecological Reserve
While exploring Saona Island, you discover yourself inside the most important natural reserve in the Dominican Republic. The Cotubanamá National Park alone protects over 500 species of endemic vegetation. During your tour to Saona Island, you traverse numerous ecosystems, ranging from semi-humid forests to various sorts of mangroves.
Regarding the fauna, the skies and waters around Saona Island teem with endless colorings, showcasing an extensive range of wildlife. Approximately 112 chook species, 40 fish species, and 10 coral species attest to the importance of this ecological reserve inside the Caribbean location.
Did you already know that Saona Island boasts super coral reefs? Don't pass over the possibility of diving or snorkeling to discover the rich underwater resources of this Caribbean island. Here, you can stumble upon over 40 fish species and 124 mollusk species, which make contributions to the island's colorful coral reefs.
Perhaps one of the most famous residents is the Hawksbill sea turtle, one of the most protected turtle species. Every 12 months, it shares Saona Island with other species, just like the Loggerhead and Green turtles. If you hazard upon a sea turtle, attempt to respect it from a distance without touching it, permitting it to retain its adventure undisturbed. By doing so, you contribute to keeping Saona Island as a tranquil nesting website, offering these turtles the opportunity to thrive and ensure the survival of their offspring.
Beyond turtles and marine lifestyles, the island is brimming with vitality. You may additionally spot numerous chook species, which include seagulls, wading birds, and green parrots, as well as different creatures like rhinoceros iguanas or excellent fishing bats.
The Trail from Mano Juan to Cuano: History and Archaeology
This trail holds the utmost historical and archaeological importance, as its 13-kilometer path leads us to a cave system with the maximum representative being the Cueva de Cotubanamá. Here, remnants of the pre-Columbian Taino way of life are still preserved.
The Cueva de Cotubanamá draws many adventurous vacationers journeying Saona Island. It was drawn via the legend of the Taino chief hiding deep in the cave, escaping the infamous settler Nicolas de Ovando.
Getting to Saona Island
To journey to Saona Island independently, you'll want to hire a car or take a taxi from your departure factor (whether or not it is Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Samana… Or any city inside the Dominican Republic) to Bayahibe.
Upon accomplishing Bayahibe, you should buy public boat tickets for 2,000 pesos in step with character for a round ride to Mano Juan.
There's the most straightforward public boat departing day by day, leaving at 9:00 AM for Saona Island and returning from Saona Island to Bayahibe at 2:00 PM. If you miss it and need to rent a non-public boat, they'll charge you upwards of $150.
Of path, you can opt for organized day trips to Saona Island. They'll pick you up from your inn and take you on a catamaran to Saona Island. Once there, you will have free time till the scheduled go back, and then you will be taken back to your resort.
You can also take a helicopter directly from Punta Cana to Saona Island. The flight time is 25 minutes starting at $299. The aerial views are breathtaking.
It's beneficial to depart in the morning to make the most of your time on Saona Island.
Saona Island Hotels
If you decide to spend the night on Saona Island, I recommend reserving your lodging as early as possible. Imagine being in a far-flung vicinity with only a few accommodation options available.
Accommodations in Isla Saona are pretty simple, so do not count on too much luxury. However, after spending the night on the island and exploring different beaches, you will find it undoubtedly a natural paradise and amusing. For lodging alternatives, you can check out hotels like Casa Mano Juan or Saona Típica B&B.
Advice and Tips
Saona Island is one of the most heavenly places in the Dominican Republic, but the downside is that it's crowded with hundreds of tourists who come here every day to spend some hours.
- If you're going at some stage in the peak season, it's recommended to book your boat tickets in advance. If you are going during the low season, you may head to Bayahibe Port at once.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, shades, and turn-flops because they may ask you to take off your footwear on the boat, and you might get moist, in particular in case you're on a speedboat.
- Don't neglect your snorkeling goggles due to the fact the water's color is unprecedented.
- If you pass snorkeling and see starfish, please do not contact them or take them out of the water, as doing so can damage them.
- Avoid sunbathing at once underneath coconut palm timber. If the wind blows and a coconut falls in your head, it may be pretty risky.
- If you are staying overnight, percent lengthy cotton pants to prevent insect bites. Bring lots of insect repellent, ideally the most powerful you could find.
