Isla Saona

Isla Saona is the postcard image of the Dominican Republic — a large tropical island (110 square kilometers) within Parque Nacional Cotubinama, ringed by white sand beaches, coconut palms, and shallow turquoise waters that seem almost artificially blue. It is the most visited natural attraction in the entire country, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Day trips to Saona typically depart from Bayahibe and include a catamaran or speedboat ride along the coast, a stop at the famous Piscina Natural (Natural Pool) — a shallow sandbar where sea stars dot the sandy bottom — and several hours on the island's beaches. Despite the visitor numbers, the island itself remains undeveloped beyond a few small fishing villages. The coral reefs around the island offer good snorkeling, and the forests harbor populations of rhinoceros iguanas, manatees (in surrounding waters), and numerous bird species including the impressive frigatebird.