Isla Catalina lives in the shadow of famous Saona — and that's precisely its charm. This little uninhabited island is wrapped in white sand and some of the brightest coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, reached by a lively catamaran from La Romana. Spend the day snorkeling, feasting and lazing on the sand, then wander the cobbled lanes of Altos de Chavón on the way home.
Does a catamaran cruise to an uninhabited tropical island — with a Renaissance-style artisan village on the side — sound like your kind of day?
Then let us introduce you to Isla Catalina.
Its neighbor Saona may carry the bigger name, but Catalina is no runner-up. This tiny offshore island — barely 10 square kilometers — is fringed with white-sand beaches, drowsy palms, and some of the most vivid coral reefs anywhere in the Dominican Republic. And those reefs are the whole point of the difference: Saona is the island for beach lovers, while Catalina belongs to beach lovers who snorkel.
Here's how the full day unfolds.
You'll travel west to the town of La Romana and step aboard our party boat, El Fieston. With Latin rhythms setting the mood, you'll glide across crystal-clear water — past the multimillion-dollar mansions and gleaming yachts of Casa de Campo — before the postcard shoreline of Catalina rises ahead.
On the sand, a beach buffet lunch awaits, with drinks and snacks flowing all day beneath the swaying palms. Sink into the white sand and transparent shallows — or, if lazing isn't your style, pull on your snorkeling gear to explore Catalina's kaleidoscopic reef, or hop aboard the banana boat for a splash of adrenaline.
On the journey home, you'll pause at Altos de Chavón — a lovingly built replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, all cobblestone walkways, tucked-away restaurants and artisan workshops. A charming, unexpected finish to a day at sea.
Island escapes and boat trips are always in high demand, so reserve your place early. Come discover the quieter of the two islands — a day of history, snorkeling, and endless Caribbean beach.
Good to know
- You'll be collected from your hotel in a minivan or minibus, then transferred to a larger bus for the ride to Catalina's departure point.
- Altos de Chavón enforces a dress code: no bathing suits inside. You'll need shoes or sandals, and men must wear a shirt — so pack a change of clothes to cover up.
Rafael Montes
May 2026“I had to cancel the trip on last minute due to a family emergency. The customer service department were very helpful and receptive of my needs and circumstances. I would definitely keep them in mind on my next trip to the DR. Thank you”
Indianapolis, IN · Hotel Riu Bambu
Amanda
Dec 2023“It was the highlight of our trip!! We were tempted to book another one during the same visit! The crew was awesome and made sure we had a great time! Would definitely recommend!!”
Alessandra
Aug 2023“Great experience. Booked 2 tours with them. They did great job with communication.”
Steele
Apr 2023“Catalina Island was one of the most fun things we did. All you can Drink and Eat for the entire trip and dancing and a great entertainment staff. Plus the river was so pretty. We visited the church where Michael Jackson got married at.”
