Witness raw coastal beauty, swim at untouched beaches and snorkel around starfish-speckled reefs at this Dominican island reserve.

Take a daytrip to one of Dominican Republic’s most beloved island jewels, Isla Saona. Known for its wild beauty and unspoiled white beaches, this island has been used as a backdrop worldwide by filmmakers and companies advertising the ideal Caribbean escape. Rent a boat or join a catamaran tour to enjoy some of the snorkeling, exploring and sightseeing opportunities offered around its shores.

Isla Saona’s name was coined by Christopher Columbus when he spotted its pretty landscape on his second journey to the Americas. The island is part of the Parque Nacional del Este (East National Park), a protected reserve that includes a large area of forest on the Dominican mainland.

As you approach the island, admire its green vistas and white-sanded coasts. Boat tours may stop at a number of snorkeling spots along the way, which is a great opportunity to see native stingrays and manatees.

Spend the day hopping from one pristine beach to another. Being a protected reserve, there are no buildings on the island except for a tiny settlement of locals, called Mano Juan. Beaches on the north side offer incredible views of the mainland. The southern shorelines are usually less crowded. Enjoy a quiet slice of Caribbean paradise while you lie on the sand, work on your tan or read a book.

Take a walking tour of the tiny village of Mano Juan to see the island lifestyle of its inhabitants. Around the coastline, the Canto de la Playa beach is a popular place to walk around mangrove landscapes. Explore rock pools along the coast to collect shiny pebbles and spot placid starfish clinging to the pool walls.

Isla Saona is a 1-hour trip south by boat from the fishing village of Bayahibe. Tours take a full day and charge a small fee. Be sure to bring towels, extra water and sunscreen.

Guide to Exploring Saona Island