Located in the heart of the Caribbean, just south of the world famous Punta Cana, there is the amazing Saona Island in the Dominican Republic. This stunning tropical paradise boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and natural scenery in the world, making it an idyllic destination for travellers seeking peace and tranquillity.
With its crystal clear waters, stretches of white sand and diverse natural landscapes, Saona Island is the perfect destination if you travel to the Dominican Republic. This island belongs to the impressive Cotubanamá National Park. It is practically uninhabited, so it has that unspoilt charm that makes it so attractive. Read on to discover everything about this natural paradise!
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Things to see on Saona Island
Visit the village of Mano Juan
Mano Juan, also considered the heart of Saona Island, is the only inhabited place on the island. With a population of 500 people, it is a small but incredibly charming fishing village.
On your stroll through this little village you will find many colourfully painted houses surrounded by sand and palm trees, creating a postcard-worthy view. You can immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, as well as visit the souvenir stalls or stop for a bite to eat in one of the small bars. Despite its small size, this town has a unique atmosphere and vibrancy, so you can spend a lovely morning visiting it. Don’t miss out!
Go to the Turtle Sanctuary
The Turtle Sanctuary, or Sea Turtle Recovery Centre, is in the small village of Mano Juan. It is one of the activities you cannot miss on your trip to Saona Island.
The turtles are highly valued on the island, and this centre carries out important work for their care and protection, as they are an endangered species. You can see up to three different families of turtles: the green turtle, the leatherback turtle and the hawksbill turtle. This sanctuary is home to the most important turtle nesting area in the country, so you can visit this centre and learn more about the whole process of breeding and care. You can’t miss it!
Caballo Blanco Reef
On Saona Island you can visit one of the most impressive reefs in the world: the Caballo Blanco Reef. Located in the southeast of the island, here you will be able to see a myriad of marine and plant species.
In the depths of these waters you will also find a number of sunken ships dating from the 15th to the 17th century. It is an area inhabited by dolphins and even whales, so taking a boat tour can be a great activity if you want to see these impressive animals up close. It’s truly an experience you cannot miss on your trip to Saona Island!
Discover the Cotubanamá Cave
The Cueva de Cotubanamá is a beautiful cave located a short distance from the Laguna de los Flamencos and Punta Cacón. It has great historical and cultural value, because the Taino chief took refuge there at the beginning of the 16th century.
To get to this iconic cave, you have to take the trail from Mano Juan to Punta Cuano. There you’ll find some of the remains of an ancient but well-known indigenous culture that predated Columbus: the Tainos. Enjoy a fun-filled morning as you walk along a beautiful trail in an idyllic natural setting – don’t forget to bring your camera!
See the Natural Pool on Isla Saona
Saona Island has the largest natural swimming pool in the world. Located just 400 metres off the coast, in this “pool” you can enjoy a swim in depths that barely reach one metre.
Besides being one of the most beautiful and acclaimed spots on the island, in this natural pool you can admire and even interact with some of the most exotic marine species in the world. You’ll have the chance to see starfish, tropical fish, corals and shells galore. And if you’re lucky, you might even see manatees. Can you think of a better plan?
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Best beaches on Saona Island
If there’s one thing Saona Island is known for, it’s its stunning beaches. Being an island, the whole area is surrounded by beaches, so below we recommend the ones you can’t miss.
Canto de la Playa
Canto de la Playa is, without a doubt, the best beach on Isla Saona. It is located in the southeast of the island, a short distance from the Canto de la Playa lagoon. Due to the fact that it is not very easy to get to, it is the perfect place to avoid the crowds.
To get there, you have to walk along a dirt track which is surrounded by impressive vegetation, making it a very enjoyable experience. Even so, you can always rent a motorbike if you want to do the journey quickly. Canto de la Playa has a huge expanse of white sand, beautifully adorned with palm trees and crystal clear waters. Besides enjoying the sun and sand, this beach is the ideal place to do water sports, such as scuba diving or snorkelling. You’ll certainly have a great time!
Playa del Gato
El Gato beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Saona Island. It is the ideal place to spend the day alone or in company, because it has all kinds of services in an unbeatable setting.
As well as being able to enjoy its splendid sands and crystal clear waters, at Playa del Gato you’ll find many restaurants where you can stop for a drink. To get here, you have to take a tour that starts at Playa de Saona, usually by boat or catamaran. You can also walk from there to other beaches such as the famous Playa Costa Romantica. You’ll be amazed by this tropical paradise!
Tips for your trip to Saona Island Dominican Republic
- Take plenty of sunscreen with you.
- Do not bring valuables or large amounts of money to the beach.
- Respect the natural wildlife.
- Make sure to pack enough swimwear.
What to do on Saona Island in 1 day
- Visit Mano Juan
- Go for a swim on Playa del Gato
- Discover the Natural Pool
- Admire the Caballo Blanco Reef
- Go to the Turtle Sanctuary
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Saona Island
Here is a list of the restaurants that you can find on Saona Island, most of them offering traditional local dishes – a real treat!
– Restaurante Casa Roja
– Playa Costa Romántica
– Playa Los Griegos
– Goody
The best time to travel to Saona Island is between January and April, as the temperature is warm but not extremely hot, and rainfall is much lower.
The price to go to Saona Island can vary depending on demand and the time of year, but usually costs around $65-70 per person, equivalent to €55-60.
As a small island, there aren’t many places to stay on Saona Island. However, here are a couple of the places available:
– Saona Beach House offers a complex of wooden cottages right on the beach. You can have a wonderful stay in an idyllic setting, where you can also enjoy a 24h service and a restaurant. Prices are around 80€/night.
– Another option is Casa Rural el Paraíso de Saona, located just 25 metres from the sea, making it a true tropical paradise. Prices are around 54€/night.
How to plan your itinerary for Saona Island?
Sign up or download the Passporter app and organise your trip in the easiest and quickest way:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Saona Island?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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