Isla Saona

Isla Saona is the largest of the Dominican Republic's offshore islands, about 110 square kilometers of forest, mangrove and palm-fringed sand just off the south-east coast. It is part of the Parque Nacional del Este, officially renamed Parque Nacional Cotubanamá, so there are no hotels and only two permanent settlements: the fishing village of Mano Juan and a navy post at Catuano. Almost everyone visits on a day trip, and it is one of the most booked excursions in the country, from both Bayahíbe and Punta Cana.

The beaches the tours use are on the island's western half, a long run of fine white sand under coconut palms, with clear turquoise water that is usually calm on the Caribbean side. Each tour company has its own patch with a buffet lunch of rice, beans, chicken, fish and salad, a bar, plastic chairs and restrooms. Away from those camps the beach is empty and you can walk for a long way along the shore.

Expect crowds. On a busy day thousands of visitors land on Saona, and the tour beaches can feel more like a big outdoor party than a deserted island: music, open bars, vendors selling coconut drinks and souvenirs. If that is not your style, choose a tour that goes to Canto de la Playa on the quieter south-east coast, or a smaller private boat that sets its own schedule. Mano Juan, with its painted wooden houses and a sea turtle conservation project, is a stop on some itineraries.

Getting there: boats leave every morning from the pier in Bayahíbe, about 45 minutes to an hour by speedboat or longer by catamaran. Many tours go out one way and back the other, and stop at the natural pool sandbar on the way. From Punta Cana, tours add a 1.5 to 2 hour bus ride each way to Bayahíbe or a coastal pier. Read our Saona Island day trip guide for prices and how to choose an operator.

A national park fee applies; it is normally included in the tour price. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and cash for tips and extras. There is no reliable phone signal or ATM on the island.

Best for: first-time visitors who want the classic white sand and palm tree beach day, groups, and families with older kids. Not ideal for travelers prone to seasickness (choose a catamaran rather than a speedboat), or anyone who wants solitude on the main tour beaches. The driest and calmest months are December to April; summer brings hotter days and the occasional rough crossing.