Saona Island is as rare and precious as a perfect pearl that is still hiding in the shell of a mollusk waiting to be discovered. In fact, it is often called the “Pearl of the Caribbean” in the popular press. It is one of those places on this planet that is so special, so exquisite, that it has ended up on the wish list of many world travelers.
Isla Saona, also known as Isla Saona, undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. For many, Saona Island imparts a landscape so divine that it seems to have been touched by the hand of God. Less than two hours from Punta Cana, the most popular vacation destination in the Dominican Republic, it is visited by tens of thousands of tourists every month of the year. This is one of the reasons why it is important to take a tour that focuses on ecotourism and avoids the crowds.
Recognizing the importance of Isla Saona’s vast natural resources, the government of the Dominican Republic decided in 1975 to preserve it along with a section of the southeastern peninsula of the Dominican Republic as a protected natural park. The park is called Parque Nacional del Este and is also known as Parque Nacional del Este. No development is allowed in the park, although a village of about 400 people who live off the land has been protected. There are strict rules that must be followed when accessing the park designed to protect the park and preserve it for future generations. To emphasize the importance of Isla Saona to the Dominican Republic, approximately 95% of all those who visit the park visit Isla Saona. It is also the most popular tourist attraction in the entire country.
Saona Island forms the southern tip of the province of La Altagracia, the same province in which Punta Cana is located. It is approximately 6.6 square miles in size and makes up about a quarter of the total land mass of the Parque Nacional del East. It is about 13.7 miles wide from east to west and about 4 to 5 miles from north to south at its widest point. It is separated from the mainland of the Dominican Republic by a narrow channel called Canal Catuano that is only 1-2 miles wide. This channel is an area of ecological importance as it is densely populated with mangroves and serves as a nursery for tropical fish, sea turtles and many species of invertebrates.
The best way to visit Saona Island is to take an eco tour with a licensed tour operator who truly cares about the wildlife and people who live there. Your experience will be much more rewarding than the one you would have with the catamaran “booze cruises” that many offer.