We came from Punta Cana, which of course was about a 3hr journey to Bayahibe port (which is fine). We had Christian as our tour guide. He was really friendly and spoke really good English. He was information about Saona Island. The coach had good air con. We got the speed boat from Bayahibe to Saona Island. To then be told we have 2 hrs on the island, and lunch as well. The lunch was a typical Dominican cuisine served by the local Saona inhabitants, which is great.
The beach is stunning, literally a picture post card. It is worth going all the way there, just wished we were there about 3hrs.
On the way back, we had the catamaran which they love doing the “party cruise”. So loud music, some people love a dance and to make use of the open bar (all the rum). If that’s your thing, great. If it isn’t, just sit and watch. The catamaran took about 2.5hrs to get back to the port, but also stopping off at the Natural Pool (a shallow part of the sea) where all the tourist catamarans stop to play all their music loudly and people to float about in the shallow sea.
Then of course when we got to Bayahibe, we had the 3hr journey back to the hotel.
I wouldn’t want to do this long tour again, but I did enjoy and love the island.
I’ve realised in the Dominican Republic, it’s really relaxed, “Dominican 5 mins” means any time. Also, tours love taking you to all the souvenir shops in hopes of spending money.