Catamaran Cruises with Lunch and BBQ in the Dominican Republic: Our Top 15

1.Catamaran Boat to Saona Island with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,822 reviews · 8 hours · from $82 per person Our pick

Spend a full day reaching Saona Island by speedboat, stopping at a starfish-filled natural pool, then returning by catamaran. Guides such as Christian, Alex, and Eduardo lead the trip in several languages. Expect a Dominican buffet, drinks, music, dancing, beach time, and a long coach transfer from Punta Cana.

“Christian really made us feel welcome, he explained the history of the area and we got to learn about the religion of typical Dominicans. I would recommend this trip to those who just want to relax and enjoy the beach. there were a lot of people when we visited the beach and the swimming spot, but it was never crowded.”

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2.Catamaran Tour to Saona Island with Open Bar and Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 9 hours · from $81 per person

Sail from Bayahibe to Saona Island on a lively catamaran, stopping at a shallow natural pool before three hours on the beach. Your day includes hotel transfer when selected, a Dominican buffet with vegetarian choices, unlimited beer and soft drinks, music, and a Spanish or English-speaking guide. Alex is one guide associated with the tour.

“This is the perfect excursion if you want to feel like you're in a postcard. The boat was clean and lively, the beach was paradise, and everything ran smoothly. It’s ideal for couples, families, or groups of friends. The open bar didn’t hurt either!”

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3.Island Escape to Saona • catamaran & Beach lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 74 reviews · 570 minutes - 10 hours · from $59 per person Best value

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Punta Cana or Bayahibe to Saona Island. Swim at a starfish-filled natural pool, enjoy an open bar, eat a Dominican buffet, and return by catamaran with music. The multilingual guide Mama Diari has been especially helpful for English, Spanish, and French speakers.

“If you’re visiting Punta Cana, this trip is a must. Saona Island truly feels like paradise, and doing it by catamaran by visiting multiple beach stops makes it even more unforgettable. From start to finish, it felt like a perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and unreal scenery!”

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4.Catamaran Party Cruise with Snorkeling & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $84 per person

Meet your crew in Sosua for a three-hour catamaran party with two snorkeling stops, a BBQ of chicken wings and sausages, soda, rum and other alcoholic drinks, music, a water slide, and a jump platform. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Guide Alex is known for keeping the group involved, while Tony handles the grill.

“The crew was fun! The drinks were flowing and the food was good! The boat was spacious and clean. The walk to the boat was a bit sketchy but we never felt unsafe. They offered the opportunity to snorkel and although the cruise didn’t go far we had a great time”

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5.Puerto Plata: Catamaran Snorkeling Trip w/ Buffet & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · 5 hours · from $79 per person

Spend about five hours aboard a 75-foot catamaran in Sosúa Bay, with two snorkeling stops, a Dominican buffet, open bar, music, and friendly multilingual crew. Transport is included from Puerto Plata, Amber Cove, Cabarete, Playa Dorada, Cofresí, or Sosúa, with drop-off at several North Coast locations.

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6.Punta Cana Private Catamaran Cruise: Snorkeling, Beach & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · $595 for the boat, seats 10

Charter a private catamaran for up to 10 people and cruise the Bávaro coast for three hours. You’ll snorkel over a coral reef, stop at a shallow natural pool, visit a private beach, and enjoy BBQ food, drinks, music, and an English-speaking crew. Crew members have included Omar, Coco, Luis, René, Genesis, and Maikol.

“My family and I had an awesome time on the boat. The crew was super attentive and fun. The good they grilled was yummy and transport to the boat and back to the hotel was super easy. I would book it again.”

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7.Saona Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Natural Swimming Pool

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 39 reviews · from $75 per person

Travel from Punta Cana to Bayahibe, then cruise toward Saona Island with music, dancing, drinks, and a stop at Palmilla’s natural pool. You’ll have beach time, a Dominican buffet beneath the palms, and guides such as Carlos or Tio Luis. Pickup is included, but transport can be lengthy and boat arrangements may vary.

“Saona island is incredibly beautiful! It is exactly what my mind thinks of when you say “tropical paradise”. Carlos was an amazing host and made sure that I was well taken care of since I was one of the only people on the excursion who didn’t Read more”

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8.Saône Island from Punta Cana Catamaran, Natural Pool and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · from $78 per person

You’ll leave Punta Cana around 7:30 am for Bayahibe, then cruise toward Saona Island with music, drinks, and a bilingual guide. The day includes a one-hour natural pool stop, three hours on Saona with a Dominican buffet, and a speedboat return. Pedro is one guide praised for making the day enjoyable.

“Great time !! I wish they serve beer , they only have rum , but the crew was fun , pick up and drop off was on time . really recommended .”

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9.Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado (Lunch included, from Samana in Catamaran or Boat)

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 22 reviews · from $68 per person

Cruise from Samana across the bay to Los Haitises National Park for caves, mangroves, rock islands, and Taíno paintings. Then continue to Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island, for a Dominican buffet and beach time. English and Spanish guiding, park fees, and lunch are included. Expect six to eight hours on the water.

“Beach in cayo levantado, caves was amazing. Rain forest love it. Only didn't like waited to long to leave.it could be better organized.”

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10.Puerto Plata Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling, BBQ & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $99 per person

Sail Sosua Bay on a shared catamaran with a beginner-friendly snorkeling stop, crew-led music, a light BBQ lunch, and an open bar. Pickup is available from Amber Cove, Taino Bay, and nearby hotels. Allow 30 to 50 minutes each way for transport, and bring a towel, sunscreen, and patience for beach boarding by ladder.

“Amazing communication throughout the whole experience! Very professional. Very responsive and helpful with questions!”

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11.Saona Island Tour Catamaran Buffet Lunch & Full Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 20 reviews · from $75 per person

Travel from Punta Cana to Bayahibe, then by boat to Saona Island on an eight-hour group trip. You will stop at a natural pool, hear about the Taino people, enjoy a Dominican buffet, and have three to four hours on the island. Hotel transfers, boat transport, and a mobile ticket are included. A French-speaking guide may be available.

“One negative thing was the girl on the catamaran giving my daughter a hard time about something. 😕😕😕😕”

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12.Bacardi Island Excursion with Catamaran, Beach and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $115 per person Top rated

This long Tuesday excursion takes you from Punta Cana to Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island. You’ll ride a catamaran across Samaná Bay, stop for 30 minutes in a natural pool, then enjoy a buffet lunch, two drinks, and about three hours on the beach. Guides such as Nacho and the catamaran crew are known for making the long day lively.

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13.Catamaran Catalina Island Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 16 reviews · from $85 per person

Spend about eight hours traveling from Punta Cana to Catalina Island by catamaran, with hotel pickup, onboard music, snorkeling at The Wall, a beach buffet, and an open bar. The $85 price includes transport, equipment, lunch, and drinks, though bus changes and limited bar choices can affect the day.

“We were picked up in front of our condo on time. The driver was very prompt. But the connection from the transportation to the excursion could have been better planned. We waited around for a while before we knew where we Read more”

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14.Cayo Arena Catamaran Cruise from Puerto Plata with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $160 per person

Spend about 10 hours sailing from Puerto Plata to Cayo Arena, a tiny sand island near Punta Rucia. You’ll visit mangroves, snorkel with a guide, swim at a sandbar with Champagne, and eat a Dominican buffet lunch with lobster, or seafood paella during the stated seasonal fishing restriction. Hotel pickup and equipment are included.

“If I could I’d give it 10 stars. Great trip to the ocean “swimming pool” and sand dune. The drinks were flowing, awesome ceviche, and one of the best lunches. The drive and visit to the local village at the end was both scenic and culturally enlightening. The service was top notch by the crew!!!!”

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15.Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling and lunch on board!

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · from $75 per person

Spend about five hours aboard a 52-foot Lagoon catamaran from Sosúa Beach. Swim or snorkel at two spots, relax in the onboard pool, and enjoy a BBQ lunch with chicken wings, pork chops, sausages, local beer, rum, soda, and water. Hotel pickup is offered from Puerto Plata, Cabarete, and Sosúa.

“pretty fish and wonderful crew members. I lost my hat. But its ok. Im liked the excursion and the timing fot the excursion was good. Had other things to do in the afternoon. I had fun.”

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