Isla Saona is the Dominican Republic's most famous island escape — palm-lined Caribbean beaches and a shallow natural pool dotted with starfish, all inside Cotubanamá (Parque del Este) National Park. The catch for travelers based in the capital: Saona is on the south-east coast, and you can't drive onto the island. Here's exactly how to get to Isla Saona from Santo Domingo, with every realistic option.
The short answer
You reach Saona in two legs: first travel by road from Santo Domingo to Bayahibe (about 2 hours east), then cross to the island by catamaran or speedboat (roughly 45–60 minutes). There is no bridge and no public ferry, so every visit is by tour boat from the Bayahibe area.
The easiest way: an organized day tour
For most visitors the simplest option is a full-day tour that bundles the round-trip transport from your Santo Domingo hotel, the boat crossing, lunch and the stop at the natural pool. You skip the logistics of driving, parking and arranging a boat, and you're back in the capital the same evening.
If you'd rather go independently, the drive from Santo Domingo follows Las Américas Highway east toward La Romana, then on to Bayahibe:
Santo Domingo → Bayahibe: about 2 hours (≈150 km) by car or private transfer.
At Bayahibe: book a boat to the island through a licensed operator — independent crossings are coordinated from the village marina.
On the water: 45–60 minutes to Saona, with a stop at the famous starfish natural pool on the way back.
Self-driving gives you flexibility, but you'll still need to arrange a boat once you arrive, which is why most travelers prefer the all-in tour above.
Flying in? Start from the airport
If you're landing at Santo Domingo's Las Américas Airport (SDQ) and heading straight for the coast, a private transfer to the Bayahibe / La Romana area puts you within minutes of the Saona boats — no backtracking into the city.
The dry season from December to April brings the calmest seas and clearest skies for the crossing and the natural pool. Trips run year-round, but seas can be choppier and afternoon showers more common during the August–October hurricane months. Whichever month you choose, go as a full day and pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and some cash for Mano Juan fishing village.
A nearby alternative: Catalina Island
Short on time, or want quieter water and excellent snorkeling? Catalina Island, also reached from the La Romana coast, makes a great Saona alternative with vibrant reefs just offshore.
Getting to Isla Saona from Santo Domingo always means a road trip east to Bayahibe plus a boat — about half a day of travel each way. Booking a full-day tour with hotel pickup is the most reliable way to do it without renting a car or arranging your own boat, leaving you free to enjoy the starfish, the beaches and the Caribbean.
