Pure relaxation awaits on this full day cruise to Saona Island from Bayahibe. Saona Island is all swaying palm trees, white soft sands and crystal clear waters. In other words, it’s what a desert island is supposed to look like. You’ll be whisked over for free time and lunch. Stroll along its palm-fringed beach, take a dip in the largest natural pool in the Caribbean and have a tropical buffet lunch by the sea. Then hop aboard our speedboat to head back to Bayahibe in no time.
Posted By : Cara_L
We had an amazing time on our day long excursion. The weather was hot, the water was warm, and the staff on the boats were super fun. I'd highly recommend seeing this beautiful part of DR!
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Posted On : 2024-04-16 14:40:06 
Posted By : Z879DGmichaelm
Lower your expectations when booking through Destination Services, things are not as advertised.
We recently stayed at RIU Bambu in Punta Cana this past March. Overall, the stay was good. We had a large group, and everybody knows what it’s like to travel with a large group of people. I am not a wordly traveler and I am going to be as objective as I can in this review. I just want others that are like us to really understand what will happen when booking a day trip.
We decided to book an excursion through Destination Services. They, along with other travel groups, are typically camped out during the day at the resort to get people booked on excursions. We decided to book a full day excursion to Saona Island. The gentlemen that helped us book it was very professional and did a good job accommodating our large group. He explained the trip and the general overview was accurate, however there are a lot of details that I feel anyone who wants to book this trip should be aware of.
My expectations of the day was a quiet day on the island, but that just was not the case. Here is how the day actually went.
We met in the lobby of the resort as planned at 7:45am and met our tour guide, Rueben. He was nice and made sure all of us were accounted for and we got on the bus. He made sure we were all safe. We had to take a one our ride to a town called Bayahibe, during the ride our tour guide was giving us an overview of the day. During that overview is when some of the details started to come out. We learned that we were only going to be on the island for 2 hours. We had 2-hour catamaran ride, and 40 minute speed boat ride back. Far from the full day on the island that we were expecting. When we arrived in the marina town of Bayahibe, we got off the bus and was immediately approached by vendors trying sell hats, cigars, and all the other stuff that they typically sell. I understand that this is how many of them make their money, but that was unexpected for us. We were also shown a bathroom to use that had no toilet paper, if you wanted toilet paper you had to pay a lady outside for a sheet of tissue. It was a really cheesy set up. We then walked to the Marina where they told us they needed to take our picture of the group you are with, they did not say for what, I assumed it was so there was a documented photo of you, but I will explain the actual reason at the end. We loaded up on transfer boat that took us to the catamaran, there is no docking to speak of so they have to move you around in transfer boats. We then transferred to the catamaran and set off for the island. It was at that point we were first introduced to two photographers that were going to spend the day with us on the trip, and they would have pictures for sale for us.
We then started the boat ride to the island, the catamaran ride was fun, there was dancing and music, and drinks and my family had a good time. The photographers made it a point to take everyone aside and take photos. After about 2 hours our first stop was at a sand bar where we anchored and got to walk around in the ocean for about a hour. Again this was fun, it neat to see, we actually got to see sting ray swim by us while we were in the water and we saw a lot of star fish. It was cool, and my family had fun no doubt.
After an hour they got us back on the catamaran and took us to a designated spot on the beach. This is where the advertising spots get a little sketchy, The guy we booked from the trip from showed us pictures of a very secluded area, no hustle and bustle, but hat was very far from the truth. When we arrived, there were boats all over the place, and we had to anchor again to get a transfer boat to the island.
Once we got to our spot on the island, our tour guide gathered us up and gave us the time we had to meet and leave. We got there at 1:00pm and had to gather up at 3:15pm. We were also told that lunch would be ready soon. The line to the lunch was ridiculous, we actually had to spend 30 minutes of our time in line for lunch, the drink cups were very small, and only rum and coke and beer was available. They advertise open bar, but that is not the case actually. You have to buy a pina colada and they cost $10 each. I think the most frustrating part is the ladies that are offering massages. There are quite a few and they are quite aggressive. They will start rubbing your back without you asking and actually pull you to get you to one of their massage areas. A 15 to 20min massage costs $80. Overall, there was just a lot of hustle and bustle and not a lot of time to enjoy the island. The island was beautiful, the beach was beautiful. The area in general was clean and nice, and I wish we had quiet time to enjoy things, but as soon as you can settle in, the photographers that were on the boat, approach you and want you to buy photos, and the prices are high even for the states. They wanted to charge $20 a picture or something like that, and it was high pressure sales. We ended up not buying. But I could tell the photographers were very agitated with us.
So, after two hours or so, we loaded up on a boat and drove back, to get on our bus. Where we were met with the same vendors pushing the same items for sale. Here is where it gets dirtballish in my mind. We got on the bus, and do you remember I told you they took photos of you before the boat rides. Well, they make a label of that photo and put it on a bottle of their local booze and try to sell it too you for $20. You don’t have to but it, but they hand it out to you first then tell you that it is for sale, reminds you of the time share sales tactics.
So, after that we rode back and they take you to a shop to buy gifts. You do not have to get off the bus, but this is a standard stop to get you to buy more souvenirs and all that. My general impression of all it is that is orchestrated like a carnival. Everywhere you turn they want your money or there is some gimmick.
I want to make sure I am fair. I understand that tourism is how they make money, and they count on our dollars. But there needs to be a balance on how much of that they push. To be honest there was way too much of that hustling for this trip in my opinion.
That said don’t be discouraged to go on the trip.. the boat ride, the Caribbean sea, the island are all beautiful things and your family will enjoy seeing them, but prepare yourself for all the hustling that takes place because there is a lot of it, and it does take away family time which is what I wanted.
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Posted On : 2024-04-04 15:09:53 
Posted By : Daintee_H
It was fun. Beautiful swimming stop was the best part. Food on island was great. Pretty crowded with other tours but nice to visit.
Our crew was very scheduled and prompt with schedule.
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Posted On : 2024-02-19 10:02:54
Posted By : Tara_S
We had this tour booked and were given a pickup time. We woke up early, arrived at pickup point on time and waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then started talking to a different tour rep who told us all trips to Saona Island were canceled due to weather. So I double checked all my messages, hadnt received any communication about our tour being canceled. I had to call to confirm that yes the tour was canceled due to weather. Rescheduled for the next day. Next day the EXACT SAME THING happened, and again did not receive any communication from the tour company, had to call them myself. I understand weather is outside of their control. But the fact they did not communicate the cancelation to us TWICE is really unacceptable.
There are lots of excursions to Saona Island, do yourself a favor and use a different tour company.
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Posted On : 2024-02-16 18:48:34
Posted By : kevinhS5214FC
I stayed at Dreams Macao with my wife and toddler when we decided to book an excursion to Saona Island with Luisa Recio from Destination Services via Costco Travel. She told us it would be a 45 min ride to the departure site but it took us almost 2 hours (since they picked up more people at 3 other resorts) to reach the departure site when they asked who was pregnant. My wife was 5 months and they told us it was not safe for her to continue. So...they took us back to our hotel which only took 30 mins! Luisa Recio did not disclose that there might be a possibility of unsafe weather conditions for pregnant women to travel to Saona Island. She even said that my wife didn't look pregnant so she didn't bother to ask. I said you can't make that assumption and must state disclaimers prior to booking. She gave a refund...that's it, oh and a $10 discount on another excursion. How petty!
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Posted On : 2024-01-20 15:33:50
Posted By : barbaralD6964FW
We had a fabulous day with Stanley and crew! Such wonderful beaches and views! Great lunch on private island!
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Posted On : 2024-01-19 12:40:06
Posted By : FrandyVelez
I paid for the tour at the hotel and they charged me $115.00 each!! When it comes out here at 85, I mean they robbed me. The entertainment on the catamaran is very poor. The girl only danced to 1 song, then they left very little varied music. There was no water to drink. The trip became boring to me. Blue Lagoon beach is super beautiful. I think I wasted my money. The transportation was very responsible and Melvin was attentive to the group.
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Posted On : 2023-12-08 09:44:48
Posted By : AndrewJ_B
The trip to and from Saoni Island was great. Our tour guide, Obama, explained in French, Spanish and English, in detail, what we were going to see and do. Saoni Island is a must if you are in the Dominican Republic. Go enjoy the boat rides, island and great food.
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Posted On : 2023-09-28 12:11:50
Posted By : BentVad_H
Warning- do not use VIATOR !!
Worst company we have ever used.
We were 2 couples that payed for a full day experience but were never picked up from our hotel.
Now we struggle to even get in contact with VIATOR trying to get a refund!
They do not answer any of our mails.
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Posted On : 2023-07-22 19:28:08
Posted By : 328lilianao
The view was amazing, loved the natural swimming pool so relaxing and beautiful, great experience, our tour guide was Mr.Meza he did great!!
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Posted On : 2023-07-12 14:11:16
