Yes you can visit the island but only the public part, not the resort area. We checked into this very thing. The price does come down as it becomes more out of season but it is still high. Now its $175.00 per person per night. Try bookit.com, seems the cheapest. We stayed there last year for $65.00 per person per night while they were getting everything in shape. Send them an email
ventas1samana@samana.bahia-principe.com with any questions.