Saona Island Full-Day Tour From Las Terrenas With Lunch

The Saona Island Full-Day Tour from Las Terrenas presents an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of this Caribbean island. With a range of inclusions and a convenient pickup service, the tour seems enticing. However, the lengthy drive time and mixed reviews regarding food quality and overcrowding warrant careful consideration before booking. Unraveling the pros and cons of this excursion could determine whether it’s the right fit for one’s travel preferences and expectations.

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Key Points

The Saona Island Full-Day Tour from Las Terrenas includes lunch, an open bar (limited to rum and coke), and pickup service, priced at $160 per person.
The tour duration is approximately 8-9 hours, with a 3.5-hour drive each way, and is not wheelchair accessible, though infants can sit on laps.
The tour involves swimming off the boat and exploring the natural pool area, suitable for most travelers but with potential challenges for those with mobility issues.
Overall reviews of the tour are concerning, with reports of long transport times, limited swimming conditions, mediocre food quality, and issues with overcrowding and perceived value.
Potential travelers are advised to carefully consider the pros and cons of the tour before booking, as the long travel time and reported logistical issues may detract from the overall experience.

Tour Overview

The Saona Island Full-Day Tour from Las Terrenas with Lunch is a popular excursion that takes visitors on a journey to the picturesque Saona Island, located off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic.

Priced from $160 per person, the tour accommodates up to 40 travelers and is operated by Oasis Humpack RD. The tour includes lunch, an open bar with limited rum and coke, and pickup service.

It starts at 7:00 am, with pickup times varying based on the location of the traveler’s accommodation. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Looking for more options in Las Terrenas? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Inclusions and Schedule

The tour includes lunch, an open bar limited to rum and coke, and pickup service.

The day begins at 7:00 am with pickup from your hotel or accommodation. However, the exact pickup time may vary, so guests should expect a confirmation at the time of booking.

The experience is approximately 8-9 hours long, with a 3.5-hour drive each way to and from Saona Island. Guests should be aware that the schedule is approximate, and they should contact the tour operator for the specific pickup time based on their location.

The tour to Saona Island is approximately 8-9 hours long, with a 3.5-hour drive each way. Guests should contact the operator for the specific pickup time.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the start of the experience.

Lunch
Open bar (limited to rum and coke)
Pickup service
Approximate schedule
Free cancellation up to 24 hours

Accessibility and Participation

Although the Saona Island tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, infants are permitted to sit on laps.

Most travelers can participate in the activities, which include swimming off the boat and exploring the natural pool area.

While the tour is open to a wide range of participants, it’s important to note that the terrain may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Visitors should be prepared for a moderately active day, as the tour involves some walking and time spent in the water.

Reviews and Feedback

With the accessibility considerations in mind, it’s time to explore the reviews and feedback for the Saona Island tour.

The tour has received a 3.0 rating based on just 2 total reviews. However, the feedback indicates some notable concerns:

Long transport times (3.5 hours each way)
Limited swimming conditions due to rocks and seaweed
Food quality rated only 5/10
Additional costs for drinks and services
Mechanical issues with the return boat

While some travelers enjoyed the natural pool area and spotting starfish, the reports of overcrowding and perceived value issues suggest room for improvement in the tour experience.

Positive Highlights

While the reviews highlighted some concerns, travelers did report positive aspects of the Saona Island tour experience. Many enjoyed the natural pool area, which offered a chance to swim and spot starfish.

The boat ride itself was also a highlight, allowing guests to take in the scenic coastal views. However, travelers cautioned that swim conditions were limited in some areas due to rocks and seaweed.

There's plenty more to explore in Las Terrenas

Negative Concerns

Travelers reported several negative concerns regarding the Saona Island tour.

Travelers reported several negative concerns regarding the Saona Island tour.

Issues included:

Overcrowding on the boat and island, leading to a less-than-ideal experience
Perceived poor value for the high tour price, with some feeling it was overpriced
Food quality rated as mediocre, with a score of only 5/10 by some travelers
Service issues, such as mechanical problems with the return boat
Limited swimming conditions due to the presence of rocks and seaweed, detracting from the natural pool area.

Pricing and Value

The tour price of $160 per person has raised concerns among some travelers regarding its perceived value.

The long 7-hour round-trip drive and limited swimming conditions due to rocks and seaweed have led some to feel the experience didn’t justify the cost. Plus, the quality of the provided lunch was rated as average at best.

While the open bar and starfish sighting received positive feedback, some felt these perks didn’t outweigh the logistical issues and overall lackluster value of the tour.

Travelers may want to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if this Saona Island excursion is worth the price.

Recommendations

Given the mixed reviews and value concerns, prospective travelers may want to consider a few key points before booking the Saona Island tour.

While the natural scenery and wildlife sightings appeal, the long drive, limited swimming, subpar food, and potential service issues could detract from the overall experience.

The natural scenery and wildlife may appeal, but the long drive, limited swimming, subpar food, and potential service issues could detract from the overall experience.

To make the most of this excursion, consider the following: