Before you go

Your trip to Isla Saona (Mano Juan).

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Isla Saona (Mano Juan) – La Altagracia Destination La Romana and Bayahibe about 75 km from Higüey

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de La Romana (LRM) 40 km
Muelle de Bayahibe Bayahibe · 25 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Only by boat. From Bayahibe pier, catamarans and speedboats take from 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the part of the island and the vessel. Most tours depart from Bayahibe with transport from Punta Cana, La Romana and Santo Domingo.

How many days

Most people visit Isla Saona on a day trip. Spending a night in Mano Juan, in the village guesthouses, shows the island after the boats have left.

When to go

From December to April the sea is usually calmer for the crossing. June to November is hurricane season, and tours can be cancelled on rough-sea days. Turtles nest on the island’s beaches during part of the year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. There are no cars on the island, and access is only by boat. In the village, everything is done on foot.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Isla Saona (Mano Juan)

Morning
Crossing and natural pool
Leave early from Bayahibe pier and stop at the natural pool, the sandbank out at sea where the water reaches waist depth.
Afternoon
Mano Juan Beach
Disembark in Mano Juan and spend the afternoon on the white-sand beach, under the shade of the coconut palms.
Late afternoon
Village and turtles
Walk through the village of colorful houses and visit the sea turtle protection center.
Evening
Night on the island
Those who sleep on the island have fish for dinner with a local family and see a sky free of city lights.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you sleep on Isla Saona?

Yes, in Mano Juan there are simple guesthouses. Most visitors only take the day trip.

What is Isla Saona’s natural pool?

A sandbank out at sea, near the island, where the water is shallow and clear, with starfish on the bottom.

How long does it take from Punta Cana to Isla Saona?

About an hour by road to Bayahibe and then another hour by boat to the island.

Is there infrastructure on Isla Saona?

Limited: there are simple restaurants, food stalls and the beach areas used by tours, with no shops or ATMs.

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