Saona Island: location and how to get there

Saona Island, a paradisiacal gem nestled in the warm waters of the Caribbean, is one of the most captivating destinations in the Dominican Republic. Do you want to know how to get there? Don’t worry! In this post, we will explain in detail where Saona Island is located in the Dominican Republic, show you a map of the island, and guide you on how to get there from different points, such as Punta Cana, La Romana, Santo Domingo, and Bayahíbe.

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How to get to Saona Island

You might be wondering how to get to this Caribbean paradise. The journey begins by heading to the port of Bayahíbe, the closest departure point to Saona Island. From there, the most common way to reach the island is by boat, with two options available: speedboat or catamaran.

The speedboat is the fastest option, taking approximately 30 minutes.

The catamaran, on the other hand, takes around 2.5 hours, offering a more relaxed experience to enjoy the tropical scenery, sun, breeze, and sea colors. It also includes onboard entertainment with music and dancing.

Most tours to Saona Island combine both boats: depart by catamaran and return in speedboat, or the other way around.

Some companies also offer round-trip transportation by speedboat to the island. This option allows for more time on Saona but does not include the catamaran’s onboard entertainment. Ultimately, it depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.

In addition, most tours make a stop at the famous Saona Blue Lagoon, a sandbank in the middle of the sea where you can swim in crystal-clear waters and see starfish.

How to get to Saona Island from different locations

As we already know, tours to Saona Island depart from the port of Bayahíbe. So regardless of where you’re staying, you’ll first need to reach this fishing village before boarding a boat to the island.

If you plan to visit Saona Island, even if you get to Bayahíbe on your own, we recommend booking the tour in advance. Saona Island excursion boats tend to fill up quickly, and there’s a high chance that you won’t find availability at the port if you haven’t secured your spot beforehand.

Below is a summary of the approximate time and distance to reach Bayahíbe from Punta Cana, La Romana, and Santo Domingo, by car and public transport:

From	By car	Public transport	Distance
Punta Cana	1:05h	3h	52.2 miles
La Romana	30min	40min	15.5 miles
Santo Domingo	2h	2:30h	88.2 miles

Keep in mind that if you choose a tour with shared transport, the journey may take longer due to stops to pick up other travelers at different hotels. If you prefer to avoid waiting and enjoy more comfort, you can choose a tour with private transport exclusively for your group.

How to get to Saona Island from Punta Cana

The most efficient way to get to Saona Island from Punta Cana is by car, either by renting a vehicle or booking a transportation service that includes pick-up from your accommodation, like those offered by tours to Saona Island.

Punta Cana includes several tourist areas spread over more than 18.64 miles (30 km). The time and distance to reach Bayahíbe, the departure point for Saona Island tours, vary depending on where you’re staying. Here is an approximate table:

From	By car	Distance
Bávaro, Cabeza de Toro, Arena Gorda	1:05h	52.20 miles
Uvero Alto, El Macao	1:25h	42.25 miles
Cap Cana	1h	47.22 miles

For those who wish to go independently from Punta Cana to Saona Island, there is the option of taking a bus or “guagua” (as it is called in the Dominican Republic). This trip involves going to the Bávaro area, from Bávaro to La Romana, and then from La Romana to Bayahíbe. However, this route takes about 3 hours, so it’s not the most convenient option.

How to get to Saona Island from Bayahíbe

The quickest and most affordable way to get to Saona Island from Bayahíbe is through organized tours.

If you prefer to go independently from Bayahíbe to Saona Island, you can join a tour directly from the port, which will help you save on transportation costs. To do so, you should be at the meeting point around 9:30 to 9:45 in the morning.

The excursion to Saona Island from Bayahíbe port, including speedboat and catamaran rides with lunch, costs $55. Additionally, the tours include the mandatory entrance to the Natural Park and meals, so your only concern will be to enjoy the experience.

How to get to Saona Island from La Romana

If you’re staying in La Romana, there are several options to reach the port of Bayahíbe, where the tours to Saona Island depart. You can opt for private transport, taxi, car rental, or the local “guagua” system, which refers to the public bus lines.

The latter is ideal if you plan to visit Saona Island on your own, as the trip between La Romana and Bayahíbe costs about 2–3 USD (round trip). The “guagua” terminal (bus terminal) in Bayahíbe is just a one-minute walk from the port, making access to boat excursions to the island very convenient.

How to get to Saona Island from Santo Domingo

The distance from Santo Domingo to Saona Island is over 73 miles (100 km) in a straight line across the sea, while the road trip to the Bayahíbe port covers approximately 90 miles (145 km), taking around two hours by car.

If you’re wondering how to get to Saona Island from Santo Domingo, there are two options to reach the Bayahíbe port:

The first option is by private vehicle, such as a taxi, private transfer, or car rental.
The second option involves taking public transportation from Santo Domingo to La Romana and then from La Romana to Bayahíbe, with a travel time of approximately 2.5 hours.

Once in Bayahíbe, you will need to join a tour that will take you by boat to Saona Island.

Where is Saona Island located

Saona Island is an island of 42.3 square miles located in the southeast of the Dominican Republic, in the province of La Altagracia. It is part of the Cotubanamá National Park, and its white sandy beaches are lapped by the Caribbean Sea. Its approximate geographical coordinates are 18.1227° N latitude and 68.7334° W longitude.

Map of Saona Island

To properly recognize its location in the Dominican Republic, it is important to know its shape and size on the map. Below, you can see a map of Saona Island (“Isla Saona” in Spanish).

Saona Island location

Now that we know its shape, with the map of the Dominican Republic shown below, it will be easier to locate Saona Island. Additionally, we will explain in detail its position in relation to the coast and Bayahíbe.

Distance from Bayahíbe to Saona Island

Tours to Saona Island depart from the port of Bayahíbe. So, if you’re thinking of taking this excursion, you’ll probably want to know how far the island is from there.

To the first beach on Saona Island, Catuano, it is about 12.43 miles (20 km).
To the fishing village of Mano Juan, in the heart of the island, it is approximately 19.26 miles (31 km).
From the nearest coast of Cotubanamá National Park, Saona Island is less than 1.24 miles (2 km) offshore.

Thanks to this proximity, getting to Saona Island is easy and fast, making it one of the most accessible and popular excursions for those visiting this part of the Caribbean.