What a private day actually buys you
The group boats all follow the same clock: natural pool at noon, lunch at one, back by five. A private charter breaks that clock. Leave Bayahibe at 8 am and you swim the Palmilla natural pool alone, before the first catamarans arrive. Anchor at Canto de la Playa on the island's quiet east end, a stop most group tours skip entirely.
The charters we rate highest
- Saona private full day from Punta Cana: the best value complete package, boat, captain, lunch and natural pool from $660 per group. Check availability.
- Private catamaran with slide: a crowd favorite for families and birthdays, unlimited drinks and a water slide off the deck. See the slide catamaran.
- Full size private charter: up to large groups, premium bar and a crew that handles everything. The splurge option. See the full day charter.
The per person math
Eight friends on a $795 private catamaran pay about $99 each. The small group tour costs $165 per seat. Past six guests, private stops being a luxury and starts being arithmetic. Solo travelers and couples are better off on the small group boats.
Booking checklist
Confirm four things in writing: park fees included, exact boarding dock, rain policy, and whether the route includes both the natural pool and beach time. Charters with vague itineraries default to the shortest fuel run. Book 72 hours ahead in high season since each operator has one or two boats at most.
Want the island to yourselves?
Private full day charters include captain, fuel, lunch and the natural pool stop. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Frequently asked questions
Private speedboat charters start around 660 dollars per boat for up to 10 guests. Private catamarans with crew, open bar and lunch run 800 to 2,400 dollars depending on boat size and season. The per person cost drops fast with a full group.
Set its own departure time, reverse the route to hit the natural pool before the crowds, anchor at Canto de la Playa, stay longer at Mano Juan village and adjust the day around kids, proposals or celebrations.
Usually yes, but confirm before booking. Cotubanama National Park charges an entrance fee per guest and some budget charters collect it separately in cash at the dock.
