Isla Catalina Snorkel Trip

The Isla Catalina snorkel trip is the best alternative to the Saona day trip if you care more about what is under the water. Isla Catalina is a small protected island off La Romana with clear, calm water and a reef that drops off into deep blue, and tours combine two snorkel stops with lunch and time on the beach.

The usual stops are "The Wall", where the reef edge falls away beneath you and fish move along the coral face, and "The Aquarium", a shallower reef garden that suits beginners. Dressel Divers' Bayahíbe tour, for example, lists both sites along with transport, drinks, snorkel gear, a guide and lunch at a restaurant on the Chavón River. Other operators include lunch on the island beach.

Prices: tours from Bayahíbe are listed around $78 to $85 per person in 2026, with some packages up to about $110 when hotel transport from Punta Cana is included. Half-day versions exist. Ask what is included: lunch, drinks, the park fee, and whether both snorkel sites are on the plan. Tours leave from Bayahíbe, La Romana or the Casa de Campo marina, so it is easy from Casa de Campo and the Dominicus resorts.

The crossing is shorter than to Saona and usually calmer, which makes this trip easier for families and anyone who gets seasick. The beach itself is pleasant but smaller than Saona's, and on cruise-ship days part of it is used by Costa Cruises, so it can be busy. Divers can do the same wall at depth; see our Bayahíbe diving guide.

Tips: use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard, do not touch or stand on the coral, and wear a flotation vest if you are not a strong swimmer, since The Wall is in open water. Bring an underwater camera; this is some of the clearest water on the coast.

Best for: snorkelers, families with kids old enough to snorkel, and travelers who want a calmer, less crowded day than Saona. Not for: people who mainly want a long beach day with an open bar; the Saona day trip is the better choice for that. December to April gives the calmest seas.