Saona Island Natural Pool – Complete Guide to the Famous Starfish Pool

The Saona Island natural pool is without a doubt the most famous and most photographed attraction in the entire Dominican Republic. If you’ve seen images of people standing in crystal-clear knee-deep water surrounded by dozens of wild starfish, this is exactly where those photos were taken. Here’s everything you need to know about the legendary Saona Island starfish pool.

🌊 What Is the Saona Island Natural Pool?

The “natural pool” (piscina natural in Spanish) is a vast, shallow sandbar lagoon located between Saona Island and a long offshore sandbar. The lagoon is typically just 30–60 cm deep (knee to waist deep on adults) and extends for hundreds of meters. The crystal-clear water is warm, calm, and filled with an extraordinary number of large wild cushion sea stars (starfish) resting on the sandy bottom.

The combination of the turquoise color, the shallow clear water, and the abundance of photogenic starfish creates a scene that looks almost too beautiful to be real — but it’s completely natural.

📍 Where Exactly Is It?

The natural pool is located in the waters between the western tip of Saona Island and a long sand spit/sandbar. GPS coordinates approximately: 18.637° N, 68.803° W. It’s a 30–45 minute catamaran ride from Bayahibe marina, and about 20 minutes speedboat ride.

🦀 The Starfish – What Kind Are They?

The starfish in the natural pool are primarily cushion sea stars (Oreaster reticulatus) — large, pillow-shaped starfish that can grow up to 50 cm across. They range in color from orange to reddish-brown and are abundant in the sandy shallows around Saona Island.

⚠️ Important: How to Interact Responsibly

• ✅ You CAN gently pick up a starfish for a photo — hold it in two hands near the water surface
• ✅ Return it immediately to where it was found
• ❌ NEVER take starfish out of the water for more than 30 seconds
• ❌ NEVER remove starfish from the water to dry them in the sun
• ❌ NEVER take starfish home as souvenirs (it’s illegal and kills them)

Our guides enforce these rules and educate guests on responsible wildlife interaction. The starfish population is carefully monitored and protected.

📸 Photography Tips for the Natural Pool

• Go early — the pool is least crowded before 10 AM
• A polarizing filter cuts through water glare for stunning photos
• Get low to the water — eye-level with the starfish creates dramatic shots
• Use a waterproof camera or GoPro for underwater photos
• The light is most beautiful on overcast days (no harsh shadows)
• Shoot with the sun behind you for the best color saturation

🕐 How Long Do You Spend at the Natural Pool?

Our tours spend approximately 30–45 minutes at the natural pool stop. Boats anchor nearby and guests wade into the shallow water. You can move freely through the lagoon, take photos, and explore before boarding the catamaran to continue to Saona Island beach.

❓ Is the Natural Pool at Saona Island or Separate?

The natural pool is technically a separate stop from the main Saona Island beach — it’s in the water between the island and the sandbar. Most tours visit the pool on the way to or from the island. You won’t experience the pool by simply going to Saona Island beach — it’s specifically included as a stop on organized tours.

Book your Saona Island tour to see the natural pool →

Reserve Your Tour with Saona Island Tours

Book directly with the operator — departures from BlueMall Cap Cana, Punta Cana:

• Fishing Tour in Punta Cana — shared deep-sea fishing trip
• Private Charter Fishing in Punta Cana — private sport-fishing boat for your group
• Saona Island Group Catamaran Tour — shared catamaran day trip with natural pool, beach time, lunch and open bar