Isla Saona

The Dominican Republic's tropical island paradise

DifficultyEasy

Area110 km²

DurationFull day excursion

Type

Natural Monument

Entry fee

Included in boat excursion fees (US$60-100 per person)

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

Full day excursion

Guide

Self-guided OK

Area

110 km²

Best time

Year-round; calmest seas December through April

Hours

Day trips only; no overnight stays for tourists

Elevation

0-35m

FacilitiesBeach Facilities At Mano JuanRestroomsFood And Drink ServicesSnorkeling Equipment Rental

Key speciesSea starsRhinoceros iguanaBottlenose dolphinMagnificent frigatebirdHawksbill sea turtle

Key featuresPiscina Natural (starfish sandbar)White sand beachesCoral reef snorkelingTurquoise shallow watersFishing villages

The park

Isla Saona

A large tropical island within Parque Nacional Cotubinama, famous for its picture-perfect white sand beaches, shallow turquoise waters, and natural pool with starfish.

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.

Before you go