When people picture the Saona Island tour from Punta Cana, they think of white sand and turquoise water. But Isla Saona is far more than a beautiful beach. As part of the Parque Nacional del Este — one of the Dominican Republic’s most important protected areas — Saona Island is a living, breathing ecosystem of extraordinary wildlife that most visitors never expect to encounter.

Sea Turtles at Saona Island

The waters surrounding Saona Island are critical nesting habitat for both hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles. During the right season, turtles can be spotted swimming in the shallows near the beach or nesting in the sand after dark. It is one of the most moving wildlife encounters available anywhere in the Caribbean.

Rhinoceros Iguanas

On land, the prehistoric-looking rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) is a common sight near the beach and the palm-lined interior. These ancient reptiles, endemic to Hispaniola, can reach over a meter in length and are completely harmless to visitors. They sun themselves on rocks and logs near the shore, seemingly unbothered by the humans sharing their island.

Migratory Birds and Mangrove Species

Saona’s mangrove forests on the island’s southern coast host dozens of bird species — including roseate spoonbills, frigate birds, brown pelicans, and the endemic Hispaniolan woodpecker. During migration season, the island is a critical stopover for species traveling between North and South America.

Marine Life of Saona Island

• Wild Caribbean cushion starfish — hundreds in the natural pool
• Spotted eagle rays, stingrays, and nurse sharks
• Parrotfish, angelfish, trumpet fish, and snapper
• Living coral formations in the surrounding reef zones

Visit This Wildlife Sanctuary from Punta Cana