The 14 Best Dominican Republic Sailing Trips

1.Catamaran Boat to Saona Island with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,822 reviews · 8 hours · from $82Our pick

Travel by bus, speedboat, and catamaran from Punta Cana to Saona Island. Swim in a starfish-filled natural pool, enjoy a Dominican buffet, relax on white sand, and return with music and dancing. Guides may include Christian, Alex, Eduardo, or Juan. The day is fun but often lasts 12 hours.

“christian was an amazing tour guide who provides an amazing vibe to the trip. very versatile in both english and french. the bus ride was a little long but the bus had ac and pit stop for the washroom. The bathrooms on saona was disgusting but other then that you definitely get your moneys worth with the lunch buffet and open bar. My favourite part of the trip was the dancing girls on the catamaran.”

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2.Small-Group Cruising and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,401 reviews · from $99Top rated

Spend 3.5 hours aboard a catamaran limited to 16 people. Snorkel in a nature reserve, swim from a sandbar, use the slide and paddleboard, and enjoy drinks, fruit, chips, salsa, and guacamole. Crew members such as David, Al, Sosa, and Jorge keep the outing friendly and well organized.

“It’s was fun, small group (worth the price). Staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful. Great time. Snorkeling was the best. Clear water and tons of fish.”

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3.Snorkeling, Catamaran Cruise & Parasailing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,094 reviews · from $149

Spend about 4.5 hours combining a double-decker catamaran, shallow-water snorkeling, a natural-pool stop, drinks, music, and parasailing from Cortesito Beach. Guides such as Derly, Deryl, Victor, and Kitson are often praised for keeping the day friendly and fun, though weather, waiting, and changing boat arrangements can affect the pace.

“Pickup and drop off were fine. That was it. Everything else was chaos. We started by getting thrown in this little dingy of a boat with 10-12 other people that brought us over to parasailing & we had to transfer from boat to boat. Once on the parasailing boat, the workers were rude and aggressive with putting the equipment on you. You were up parasailing for 2-5 mins and the rest of the time you were waiting for everyone else to go. After that was done, the dingy came back with 10-12 more people and we needed to swap places. Then we got back to the shore and got out…”

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4.Saona Island small group and relax – luxury catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 605 reviews · from $139

Sail from Bayahibe on the 75-foot Quetzal catamaran with up to 30 people. Snorkel at Catuano, relax on Saona Island, enjoy lunch and an open bar, then visit Las Palmillas to see starfish. Guides such as Lola, Charlotte, and Enrique add friendly commentary throughout the day.

“Easy going and they ensure you are okay with everything. The tour guide is very friendly and helpful with all the questions I have. They also made us as a group feel welcomed.”

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5.Saona Island Catamaran Tour with Food & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 380 reviews · 8 hours · from $67

Spend eight hours traveling from Punta Cana to Saona Island by bus, speedboat, and catamaran. You will stop at the Natural Swimming Pool, eat a Dominican buffet, and get beach time with an open bar. Guides may include Indiana Jones, and pickup varies by hotel or Airbnb.

“Saona Island is a beatyfull place 🏝️ But you should not expect 4 hours at the island. Expect more time travelling and time to stop at the souvenir shop than descibed. So if you have a lot of patience this tour is great and recommendable. Remember to bring water for the bus - no drinks are provided in the bus.”

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6.Private Catamaran Snorkeling Family Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 320 reviews

Book a private catamaran from Punta Cana for about three hours of snorkeling, coastal cruising, music, drinks, fruit, and a natural-pool party. Your multilingual guide, bartender, and photographer keep the day moving. Hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, air-conditioned transport, and an open bar are included, but photos cost extra.

“We had the time of our lives. Amazing boatride. Had a blast with the crew. Will forsure book with them when we return to DR”

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7.Catamaran/Speedboat Tour to a Dream Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 315 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $89

From Bayahibe, you’ll reach Saona Island by speedboat and sailing catamaran, with 2.5 hours on the beach, buffet lunch, open-bar drinks, music, and a 30-minute natural pool stop. Guides such as Christian, Juan, and Paula have earned warm praise for their care and energy.

“it was one of the prettiest beaches we‘ve been and not to forget the guides, especially andy:)”

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8.Punta Cana Private Catamaran Cruise with Drinks and Light Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews

Spend four hours aboard a private Punta Cana catamaran with a captain and crew. Snorkel near Cabo Engaño, slide into clear water, paddle around a shallow natural pool, and enjoy a floating bar. Crew members such as David, George, and Ivan have earned praise for friendly service and careful help in the water.

“Celebrated my 30th birthday with my closest friends on Happy Fish! Always a wonderful time with the best crew!”

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9.Private Catamaran Cruise with Slide & unlimited drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews

Spend about 3 to 3.5 hours on a private catamaran from Bávaro Beach, with snorkeling, a slide, shallow-water swimming, music, drinks, snacks, and a Dominican lunch. Pickup is offered, and your group can choose its own music. Bring towels, sunscreen, and cash for crew tips and optional photos.

“This was a really fun experience if you're looking for a party boat atmosphere. We did snorkel but it was pretty crowded and we didn't really see many fish, so that wasn't the highlight, but the kids and adults did enjoy the slide and swimming in the beautiful blue ocean. Stopping at the sandbar was a fun experience but it was also really loud with a ton of big boats blasting their music. For our group we probably would have preferred cruising more or snorkeling at a quieter spot vs. the sandbar but that may just be a personal preference. We were 50/50 on having the photographer on board, he…”

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10.Party Boat Catamaran with Snorkeling from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 232 reviews · from $69

Join a four-hour catamaran from Punta Cana for snorkeling, tropical fish, a natural ocean pool, music, dancing, snacks, and an open bar. Pickup is offered, groups can reach 60 people, and the lively party setting suits adults and celebrations better than quiet family outings.

“Fun experience. Really enjoyed snorkeling. The crew was fun and outgoing. Good music and drinks! Had a great time!”

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11.Private Catamaran Cruise with Slide & unlimited drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews

You get a three-hour private catamaran from Punta Cana for up to 10 people, with hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, an open bar, music, snacks, a slide, dolphin-habitat views, and time at a natural pool or semi-private beach. The boat is yours alone, so your group controls the mood.

“More snacks. Very friendly staff. Clean catamaran. We felt save in the water. I would highly recommend this tour”

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12.Saona Island Full Day Excursion from Punta Cana + Catamaran Party

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 103 reviews · from $79

Spend about nine hours traveling from Punta Cana to Saona Island by road and boat. You will stop at a natural pool, eat a Dominican buffet, enjoy white-sand beaches, and join a catamaran party with music, dancing, and drinks. Guides such as Enrique and Danny have earned strong praise for friendly service.

“It was a great pleasure, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you, Will. First time going to isla saona and it was the best time will definitely recommend to other families and friends.”

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13.Catamaran Boat Party with Unlimited Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 82 reviews · 3h 30m · from $58Best value

Spend 210 minutes off Punta Cana’s coast with a Spanish, English, or French-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, music, snacks, drinks, and a stop at a natural ocean pool. Hotel pickup covers Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cabeza de Toro, and Uvero Alto.

“DON’T BOOK THIS! My group had a horrible time on this boat - and found the listing here to be incredibly misleading. 1. The crew was incredibly unprofessional. It felt like a party for them and not us. They were drinking and driving the boat, and at one point abandoned us for 30 mins in the water, when the rest of the passengers were ready to leave. 2. We started 45 mins late. 3. There is NOT an open bar like the listing says there is. There’s one bottle of rum and sodas, that’s it. No beer, no other liquors, just rum. That’s far from an open bar. 4. They…”

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14.Catamaran Booze Cruise And Snorkeling Punta Cana – Adults Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $69

Spend about three hours aboard the Going Party Boat catamaran from Bávaro Beach. You’ll cruise Punta Cana’s coast, snorkel with provided gear, swim in a natural pool, enjoy fruit, nachos, rum, beer, music, and crew-led entertainment. Hotel pickup is available, and the boat holds up to 55 people.

“Great time with the crew! Highly Recommend if you are looking for a great time! No issues at all and pickup/Drop-off at resort.”

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