Ask the concierge for the one day trip from Casa de Campo every guest wants, and you’ll hit a small surprise: Casa de Campo® doesn’t officially run it. Saona Island — the postcard sandbar with the natural pool everyone has seen on Instagram — isn’t on the resort’s excursion menu at all. In short, the resort runs Catalina; Saona you arrange another way.
That gap trips up a lot of first-time visitors, so here is the honest version. In fact, there are two islands worth a day of your stay — they are nothing alike, and getting to each one from your villa works differently. This guide to the two classic day trips from Casa de Campo covers what each actually costs in 2026, how long you’ll spend on the water, and which one is right for your group.
Catalina Island: the easy half-day
Catalina is the trip you can book at the activities desk and be back in time for a late lunch at the villa. It sits just off the coast — roughly 25 to 45 minutes by boat depending on the vessel — and the resort runs it as a scheduled catamaran outing from Minitas Beach.
Specifically, the official Catalina Island Beach Day departs every day at 10:00 and returns at 13:45. Meanwhile, pricing is US$48 per adult and US$30 per child (twelve and under), taxes included, with a minimum of four people. In addition, snorkel gear rents for US$12 per person — and you’ll want it: the reef known as “The Wall” drops off the island’s southern edge and is one of the better snorkelling sites in the region, thick with sea fans and tropical fish.
The island itself is six square miles of white sand and shallow turquoise water. There’s a beach area with loungers, shade and a drinks bar (drinks and snacks are bought on the day, not included). It’s calm, family-friendly and low-commitment — the right call if you have children, limited time, or you simply want a half-day on a gorgeous beach without surrendering the whole day.
Best for: families with young children, snorkellers, anyone wanting a half-day rather than a full one.
Saona Island: the full-day classic
Saona, in contrast, is the bigger adventure — and the reason it’s worth the extra effort. It’s a protected nature reserve at the southeastern tip of the country, fringed by palms, with the famous Piscina Natural — a waist-deep natural pool a few hundred metres offshore where the boat anchors and you stand in the middle of the Caribbean. Typically, trips pair it with Palmilla, a shallow turquoise sandbank, and a beach lunch on the island.
Because the resort doesn’t run Saona itself, you have two routes:
1. A private charter from Casa de Campo Marina. This is, of course, the premium option and the one most villa guests choose. A private catamaran or motor yacht leaves straight from the Marina, you set your own itinerary, and you skip the crowds that pile onto the big group boats. Expect roughly US$600 for up to six guests, US$800–900 for up to ten, and around US$1,500 for up to fifteen with lunch and an open bar included. Meanwhile, premium catamarans run closer to US$1,990, and the larger boats comfortably hold 16–18 people. Trips run four to eight hours.
2. An organised group tour via Bayahíbe. The classic budget route. You’re driven the short distance to Bayahíbe village, then it’s about 40–50 minutes by speedboat or catamaran to the island, lunch and drinks usually included. It costs far less per head than a private charter but you share the day — and the beach — with a much larger crowd.
For a couple or a small family, the group tour is the sensible spend. However, for a villa full of friends or a multi-generational group, a private charter from the Marina often works out similar per person and is a categorically better day.
Best for: couples, larger villa groups, anyone who wants the full Caribbean-postcard experience and doesn’t mind a full day out.
Group boat vs. private catamaran: the honest maths
The resort’s website lists the US$48 group price for Catalina but stays quiet on private charters, which is where most of the confusion comes from. Here’s the side-by-side.
| Group / scheduled | Private charter from the Marina | |
| Catalina | US$48 adult / US$30 child, daily 10:00–13:45 | From ~US$600 (up to 6); set your own schedule |
| Saona | Via Bayahíbe; shared boat, lunch included | ~US$600–1,990 by group size; Marina departure |
| Crowds | Busy, fixed timings | Private, your itinerary |
| Duration | Half-day (Catalina) / full-day (Saona) | 4–8 hours, flexible |
The tipping point is group size. Two or three people are almost always better off on the scheduled boat. Once you’re a party of eight or more — a common villa headcount — a private catamaran spreads across the group, buys you a flexible schedule, and turns the transit itself into part of the day rather than a queue.
Day trips from Casa de Campo: Saona or Catalina?
| Your group | Pick | Why |
| Family with young kids | Catalina | Half-day, calm water, easy to book |
| Couple wanting the iconic shot | Saona | Natural pool and Palmilla sandbank |
| Large villa group (8+) | Saona, private charter | Per-head cost evens out; far better day |
| Keen snorkellers | Catalina | “The Wall” reef is right there |
| Limited time / one free afternoon | Catalina | Back at the villa by mid-afternoon |
| Special occasion | Saona, private catamaran | Your boat, your pace, open bar |
If you can only do one and you’ve never been, do Saona — it’s the trip people talk about for years. If you’re travelling with small children or you’re short on time, Catalina delivers most of the magic in half the day.
How to book it from your villa
Both islands are easiest to arrange before you sail, and our concierge handles the whole thing — booking the right boat for your group size, timing it around your other plans, and arranging a cooler stocked from your villa’s kitchen so you’re not paying bar prices all day. Private charters leave from the Casa de Campo Marina, a few minutes from most villas, and transfers run from your door rather than a hotel lobby. Villa owners with a courtesy card receive a discount on the resort’s own excursions; just mention it when booking.
The practical advice: decide on group size first, because that single number determines whether the scheduled boat or a private charter is the better value. Tell our concierge team your numbers and the day you’d like, and the rest is handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saona better than Catalina?
They’re different trips. Saona is a full-day excursion to a larger nature reserve with the famous natural pool and is the more memorable of the two. Catalina is a half-day to a smaller island with excellent snorkelling, much easier to fit around a relaxed villa schedule. First-timers usually rate Saona higher; families with young children often prefer Catalina.
Can I charter a private boat to Saona from Casa de Campo?
Yes. Private catamarans and motor yachts depart directly from the Casa de Campo Marina. For example, expect roughly US$600 for up to six guests, rising to around US$1,500–1,990 for groups up to fifteen, with lunch and drinks included on most charters. Our concierge arranges it.
How much is the Catalina Island excursion?
The resort’s scheduled Catalina Island Beach Day is US$48 per adult and US$30 per child (twelve and under), taxes included, with a four-person minimum. Snorkel equipment is US$12 per person. It departs Minitas Beach daily at 10:00 and returns at 13:45.
Which island is better for snorkelling?
Catalina. The reef known as “The Wall” sits just off the island and is one of the most reliable snorkelling spots near La Romana. Saona is more about the beaches, the sandbanks and the natural pool than reef snorkelling.
What’s the best time of year to go?
The islands are good year-round. The calmest, driest conditions run roughly December to April. Summer days are hot and clear but can bring a short afternoon shower — an early departure usually beats the weather.
Related Reading
- Casa de Campo Marina: The Complete 2026 Guide
- Concierge & Guest Services at Casa de Campo
- Casa de Campo for Families: The Complete Guide
Plan your island days
Our villa portfolio puts you minutes from the Marina and Minitas Beach, with a concierge team that books your excursions before you arrive. Browse our Casa de Campo villas and tell us which island you’d like to see.