Beach Data

Saona Island Beaches — Data Profile

Updated: 2026-06-01

Executive summary

Isla Saona sits inside Cotubanamá National Park — 110 km², no permanent infrastructure beyond the fishing village Mano Juan. Postcard beaches: Mano Juan, Palmilla (natural pool), Canto de la Playa. Access ONLY via boat from Bayahibe (catamaran or speedboat).

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Key statistics

110 km²

Island area

Main beaches

Bayahibe

Start point

Natl Park

Protected

Saona profile

Saona is the most-visited national park in DR (~500k visitors/year). Beaches are white coral sand with palm-tree backdrop. Famous "natural pool" Palmilla is a sandbar 1.5 km offshore where the catamaran stops — chest-deep turquoise water with starfish. Day tours depart Bayahibe pier at 8:30 am.

Saona — beaches & data

Beach	Profile	Notes
Mano Juan	~600 m fishing-village beach	Lunch stop, local restaurants
Palmilla	Offshore sandbar / natural pool	Chest-deep, starfish
Canto de la Playa	~2 km wild, no facilities	Reached on private tour
Boca del Soco	River-mouth side	Mangrove ecosystem

Source: Wikipedia Saona Island, Cotubanamá National Park.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Saona?+

Only by boat from Bayahibe (~25 min from Punta Cana hotels by transfer). Catamaran day tour: 8:30 am–5 pm. No bridge, no road.

Are the beaches crowded?+

Mano Juan gets busy 11 am–2 pm with group tours. The natural pool spreads people across the sandbar. Canto de la Playa is empty if you book a private boat.

Sources & methodology