Saona Island and Chavon River Tour with Lunch and Drinks
This tour will take you to some of the most breathtaking places on Saona Island. You can also book our shared tour to save money. Your journey will begin with a speed boat ride on the renowned Chavón River, which has been featured in movies like Apocalypse Now, Rambo 2, and Torrente 5. The river flows into the Caribbean Sea and is famous for its rich tropical vegetation, which pirates once used to hide their treasures. Following the boat ride, you will have the opportunity to visit Marina Casa de Campo, one of the most exclusive complexes in the Caribbean, where famous celebrities like Shakira and Julio Iglesias have their villas. From there, you'll be taken to the Eastern National Park where you'll witness the spectacular natural pools. These are the world's largest pools with crystal-clear turquoise waters that create a paradise-like atmosphere. While at the natural pools, you'll have access to an open bar with Brugal and soft drinks, and our team will provide entertainment.
What’s included
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Traveler reviews
“The first beach at Saona island was amazing and the pina coladas were delicious. We were disappointed a little because they told us we were going to some spectacular pools, and then never went. Also, my wife and I were the only two people that spoke English in the entire group of 30. Not ideal. ”
“Had so much fun on our Saona island tour. So much to do and so much to see. Me and my Girlfriend went and we had lots of fun during the boat trip, landing on the island, and relaxing on the beaches. We enjoyed tasty Dominican cuisine with some delicious piña colada and refreshing coconut water. 10/10, the best activity to book!”
“I had a really fun time on this tour. I went with my cousin and he was able to meet me for this one, which made it even better. Everything about the experience was amazing. The beaches we visited were absolutely beautiful and the water was perfect for swimming and taking photos. The boat ride itself was basically a party. Everyone was dancing, the music was great, and the drinks were really good. The staff made sure everyone was having a good time and everything was organized really well. The food was also amazing and it was nice being able to relax, eat, and enjoy the views. I got to see so many beautiful places and had such a fun day overall. Every time I book with Xcape Tours they really go all out and I always end up having a great experience. They never fail to impress me. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Punta Cana because it’s truly an experience you won’t get anywhere else.”
“Absolutely beautiful place, but the tour wasn't inclusive enough for English speaking travellers. We were very much unsure on what was happening for most of the day as the guide spoke to the group in fluent Spanish for the whole of the tour and we had a second tour guide that gave very little information to us in English. He was very quietly spoken and with the noise of the boat, it was really hard to hear him most of the time. Fortunately we met another English family on the tour and were able to stick with them, otherwise we would have felt completely out of it. Such a beautiful place to visit, it really is stunning, it's just a shame that we were made to feel not a part of the group. ”
“From the moment we were picked up, we knew it was going to be a special day. Our driver was brilliant, singing along to UB40, Whitney Houston, Akon and loads of American classics. He didn’t speak English but we had such a laugh with him anyway. Great energy from the start. We started at the Chavón River, where parts of Anaconda and Rambo were filmed. It was absolutely stunning, peaceful and full of jungle vibes. Then we jumped on a speedboat and it was actually fast, like properly flying across the water. The sea was so blue it didn’t even look real and the white sand beaches flying past just made it feel like a dream. The group was mainly Spanish-speaking so Catherine did the main tour in Spanish and we had Miguel looking after us. He was amazing, made sure we were included the whole time, explained everything and made us feel like part of it. Before the natural pool we passed a harbour where Shakira apparently has a house. The yachts were massive. Definitely a “how the other half live” moment. Then we stopped at the natural pool inside Cotubanamá National Park. It was crystal clear and warm, and we ended up having a dance party right there in the sea, music playing, rum and coke flowing. It was one of those pure joy moments. A photographer called Camilo (I think?) took some incredible pics of us there and later on the island. You do pay for them but honestly worth every penny. After that we sped through a patch of cloudier water and saw loads of starfish. The water wasn’t as clear there but you could still see them resting on the sand below. It was quiet and peaceful. At most of the stops you can buy a piña colada served in a pineapple for 10 dollars if you want one. They looked amazing, we didn’t get one but kind of wish we had. Saona Island itself is just stunning. The bluest sea, soft sand, palm trees swaying, the full postcard. We had a BBQ and buffet lunch which was fresh and tasty. The open bar continued with beer, rum, soft drinks and water. Some local girls did traditional dances which was lovely to watch and added to the atmosphere. We then headed to Mano Juan which was colourful and calm. We didn’t go inside any houses but walked past them and a tiny police station. The best bit was meeting a man who runs a sea turtle sanctuary. Really special to see and learn about. There were a few places to buy souvenirs, but most prices were in dollars. We had pesos and they did accept them but dollars are easier. At the final stop we were offered the chance to snorkel but just decided to chill. We floated in the sea with more rum and coke and soaked it all in. They served us the sweetest pineapple I’ve ever tasted and a passion fruit drink that was unreal. We had a proper laugh here, took a group photo and it felt like the perfect end to the day. Then it was one last blast on the speedboat and our driver was there waiting, still singing away, mixing UB40 with Whitney and Akon. Loved him. The whole day had everything—adventure, stunning views, culture, great food, music, drinks and genuinely kind, fun people. If you’re in the Dominican Republic you have to go. Don’t even think about it. Just book it. Absolutely 10/10. One of the best days of our lives. ”