Saona is a beautiful island that features the best locations for snorkeling in the DR. It is one of the most popular destinations for day trips and one of the best kept secrets in the Dominican Republic. Snorkeling there is a trip that is surely enjoyable when you stop at this magical island. The beautiful marine life can be seen while you’re deep down the ocean, and it’s all worth it.
One of the best things about Saona is that is never crowded and there is a lot of room to snorkel, scuba diving, surfing or even fishing. If you are in the Dominican Republic and want to snorkel, here you will find the perfects locations to do it.
Saona Island: The Best Snorkeling Spots
Saona Island is a great destination for snorkeling lovers. It is surrounded by turquoise waters and has a huge reef that is perfect for snorkeling. It is a popular destination for scuba diving, but there are also many snorkeling spots for those who are more interested in water activities. There are also boat tours that can take you around the island and guide you the visit the following spots to enjoy a day of snorkeling:
Atlantic Princess Shipwreck
This wreck is located in the Bayahibe area. It is an old 30×99 submarine that sank as an artificial reef in May 2009 during a tropical storm and is now used for entertainment. It is one of the perfect diving and snorkeling spots for tourists or people who love to dive in the ocean waters. The water depth around the wrech is only about 40 ft.
Nearby live reef sharks, sharks, eagle rays, turtles and many species of fish: snapper, angelfish, killer whales, anemones and sardines.
El Peñon
Looking for a dive site that will leave you totally shocked? Then El Peñon is for you! Located right in front of the Eastern National Park, Peñon is one of the best coral dive sites in the Dominican Republic. Peñon has three dive sites, but all are shallow and easy to dive.
Beginners will have many opportunities to practice their diving skills and more experienced divers will enjoy being next to turtles, sharks or seahorses and many others groups of fish.
Natural Pool
The natural pool is located in the middle of the sea, only 400 meters from the coast. The depth of the area is only one meter, which makes it ideal for diving and see coral reefs. The beach is quite calm as the waves are very calm, not risky at all.
When Is the Best Time to Snorkel?
Saona Island has a warm and humid climate throughout the year which makes it one of the top locations for snorkeling. The air temperature during the summer months ranges between 77 and 85 °F, while the water temperature ranges between 79 and 83 °. The air temperature during the winter months ranges from 70 to 80 °F, while the water temperature ranges from 75 to 79 °F.
December to May is the dry season. During these months you can expect sunny, warm and humid conditions. Thanks to this the period from December to March is the best time to snorkel while listening to the humpback whales. This is the time of year when the island is used as a habitat for humpback whales migrating from the North Atlantic to the nearby coast of Bávaro.
Travel Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Snorkeling Trip
If you’re going to travel and you want to snorkel, you’ll need to make sure that you’re prepared. Here are some tips to make the most out of your snorkeling trip:
- The first step is to have the right snorkeling gear. This includes your snorkeling mask, snorkeling fins, and snorkel.
- Next, be sure to pack a daypack. The daypack should contain all of your snorkeling gear, sunscreen, waterproof camera, and extra clothes.
- The most important thing you need to do is to keep an eye on the weather. The weather can change quickly, so it is important to be prepared.
- If you’re snorkeling in Saona Island and it starts raining, you may want to find a dry place and wait until it dries up.
Final Words
Snorkeling in Saona Island is full of amazing creatures, beautiful coral, and friendly people. If you’re a nature lover who enjoys getting up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing ocean life, then this is the perfect place for you!