Isla Saona

[Kaki]

To compare one to the other, I prefer Saona, but it depends on where you end up. I did one trip as a tour operator excursion and we stopped at the busy beach with all the rest. It was gorgeous and made me want to return but I did it differently then, booking a smaller tour (max 15 people), with a stop at the tiny Catalinita Island tucked into the Canal de Catuana for snorkeling before a picnic on Canton de la Playa on the south side of Saona. The next time I went back it was without the Catalinita stop but we had longer at Mano Juan and that's where the food was prepared and served (mini lobsters, fish and pork freshly grilled on the spot!).

I have pictures of the first trip at: Saona Island, Dominican Republic pictures from beaches photos on webshots
The second with the snorkeling stop at CatalinITa: Snorkeling at Catalinita, Saona and Piscina Natural, Dominican Republic pictures from caribbean photos on webshots
The third, including snorkeling pictures from the reef at Canton de la Playa: Saona Island with Seavis Bayahibe pictures, photos, and videos, from caribbean on webshots

I was disappointed with the snorkeling on the Catalinita tour since we stopped at the Wall and it wasn't the best for a surface snorkeler like I am. The beach was beautiful and there is some shopping (nothing most of us haven't seen before but it's a well-organized area), but there are two areas that tours stop at Catalina too, so you may end up at the other spot. As a half-day tour, the "snacks" offered were potato chips. Pictures at: Catalina Island, off La Romana, Dominican Republic pictures from caribbean photos on webshots

Pick a great guide to take you there and you'll be sure to have a memorable day at either location. I recommend Seavis Bayahibe. Island Excursions & Submarine Adventure in Bayahibe & Bayahibe Dominicus

Kaki

[dtoleva]

Hey guys,

My friend and I will be in the Dominican Republic for a week, and want to take a day trip to Saona Island. We'll be staying in Puerto Plata, so we realize that we'll have to stay elsewhere overnight to go to Saona. Any suggestions as to what will be the best city to stay in? We would like to do this on a budget and stay at hostel-like accommodations. Also, do you have to go with a tour operator, or are there daily ferry-like boats to and from the island?
Any tips/ advice would be greatly appreciated. I've traveled around Latin America before and speak Spanish pretty well but I would like to figure out the logistics of the trip ahead of time.

Thanks!

[Kaki]

You can select one of a few accommodations in Bayahibe itself, from where the boats leave to go to Saona.

I have stayed at Villa Iguana a couple of times (I have lots of pictures but don't have them loaded to the internet yet...they're coming! A weak album from a past stay is posted at Villa Iguana, Bayahibe, Dominican Republic pictures from caribbean photos on webshots), which is a guesthouse/bed and breakfast. You have a key to the outside gate so you come and go like you own the place. Depending on the time of year, prices range from $30 for a walk up rate for a basic room up to $100 for the penthouse where you have a private deck and mini swimming pool, smallish bedroom, massive bathroom, but the whole floor is yours.

I have been into the Hotel Bayahibe which is more like a normal hotel with lobby and row of rooms from an external hallway. It's nice, but a bit lacking in character for my liking. They offer services like internet access, and is a bit more expensive for a similar room at Villa Iguana.

When I was last in Bayahibe in January I got word from a friend of an astounding waterside room. It has only one bed--and a fabulous hammock!--so if that would work for you it could be an option. The room I saw was the second floor of the building and it has an ultramodern sink and bathroom facilities, air-conditioning, fridge and view of the Caribbean. If you want to send me an e-mail, I can send you pictures of all the aspects of the room and how it's situated plus the sunset view which cannot be beat. It's going for 1500 pesos a night and very likely the place I'll try out the next time in the area.

All three of these accommodations are entirely walking distance from the beach where the boats depart for Saona, in fact you can watch the boats and crowds depart and return from the picture window of the last room I mentioned. My preferred tours to Saona with Seavis depart from the bigger beach further away but you need only add 2 minutes to your walk.

If you would like to see the details of anything I've experienced, send me a note and I'll happily send it on to you if it's not in Webshots yet. You can see some pictures of Bayahibe in the Villa Iguana album, but I have another at Bayahibe school and medical clinic sponsorship pictures from caribbean photos on webshots

Kaki

[clvass]

Here are a couple of videos of each. My husband had been to Saona, so I decided we should try Catalina. Everything I read said it was this beautiful pristeen island/beach. Surprise to me . . . I wished we had gone to Saona. Anyway, you can judge for yourself from Joe's Video.

YouTube - Saona Island Dominican Republic - by JCV Saona
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=anhscB4MpM4 Catalina

One more note, we could barely climb out of our boats before we were grabbed and hugged by vendors waiting on the wharf. The beach - you could pick a path through the chairs, broken glass on the beach and the empty beer bottles at the far end . . . I was surprised and disappointed. That's my experience. Next time Sanona for sure!

Cindy