If you are traveling to Punta Cana, you are most likely coming to enjoy the beach, the Caribbean sun and the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean. “Why not snorkel a bit”, you might think? This is a legitimate question as there are some nice snorkeling spots in Punta Cana and beyond. In this article, I am showing you where to go for a decent snorkeling experience and am also telling you a little secret most people don’t know about Punta Cana.
- Quick overview: the best Punta Cana snorkeling tours
- General Information about snorkeling in Punta Cana
- The (best) snorkeling in Punta Cana and beyond
- The best Punta Cana coral reef
- The best Punta Cana snorkeling excursion
- Snorkeling at Isla Saona
- Snorkeling at Isla Catalina
- Snorkeling during Punta Canas booze cruises and catamaran trips
- Punta Cana Marinarium
- Snorkeling in the Bay of Samaná
- The best combo excursions with snorkeling
- Snorkeling off the resort in Punta Cana/Bavaro
- Snorkeling in the Dominican Republic
For additional information about catamaran tours in Punta Cana, continue reading here.
Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? If so, check out our comprehensive Punta Cana Excursion Guide with the most exciting 35+ activities for your vacation.
Completely UPDATED: December 2023
Quick overview: the best Punta Cana snorkeling tours
If you don’t want to read this comprehensive article about snorkeling in Punta Cana with much insider information and instead are just looking for the excursion with the best snorkeling in Punta Cana, we have compiled a table with all the important details and the best Punta Cana snorkel tours.
– Best overall snorkeling in Punta Cana: view tour details here*
– Best adults-only snorkeling in Punta Cana: view tour details here*
– Best family-friendly snorkeling in Punta Cana: view tour details here*
– Best private snorkeling in Punta Cana: view tour details here*
(mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table)
| Small Group Snorkeling Tour | Adults Only Snorkeling Tour | Family-Friendly Snorkeling Tour | Party Boat with snorkeling | Isla Catalina Premium Snorkeling | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character of this Isla Saona excursion | Snorkeling at the best Punta Cana coral reef with a maximum of 16 passengers | Snorkeling at the best Punta Cana coral reef in an exclusive adults-only environment + seafood lunch | Snorkeling at the best Punta Cana coral reef in a family-friendly atmosphere + seafood lunch | Party boat with a quick snorkeling stop incl. visit at the natural swimming pool | Full-day excursion with a premium catamaran to Isla Catalina with snorkeling at the reef “The Wall” |
| Type of boat | catamaran | catamaran | catamaran | catamaran | catamaran |
| Price per person | approx. 100 USD* | approx. 110 USD* | approx. 110 USD* | approx. 60 USD* | approx. 130 USD* |
| Duration (incl. transfers) | half-day (4-5 hours) | half-day (4-5 hours) | half-day (4-5 hours) | half-day (4-5 hours) | full-day (10-12 hours) |
| Group size | small (max. 16) | medium (usually 20-40) | medium (usually 20-40) | large (up to 80) | medium (usually 20-40) |
| Lunch + drinks included | snacks + open-bar | lunch + snacks + open-bar | lunch + snacks + open-bar | snacks + open-bar | lunch + snacks + open-bar |
| Transfers from Punta Cana included | yes | yes | yes | yes | no (additional charge if required |
 | | | | | |
| All details in this table are for informational purposes only and can change without further notice. Please check the description of the tour offer for binding information. Punta Cana Travel Blog can’t be held responsible for any errors or changes. | |||||
However, of course, it is recommended to read on to know what to expect when traveling to Punta Cana. 🙂
General Information about snorkeling in Punta Cana
Let’s start right with the secret I mentioned in the title and the introduction. Although Punta Cana is home to the longest reef in the entire Dominican Republic, it is not the best snorkeling place. Yes, there is some decent snorkeling in the area of Punta Cana, and especially for a beginner it might be awesome. But if you have snorkeled before in some of the most popular destinations worldwide (Maledives, Belize, Red Sea, etc.), better come to Punta Cana with lower expectations when it comes to snorkeling.
In other words, if you are looking for the best snorkeling destination in the Caribbean, head elsewhere and save your trip to Punta Cana for the next time when (serious) snorkeling is not a crucial activity. Some of the best places for snorkeling in the Caribbean I have visited so far were the Tobago Cays in the Grenadines and the San Blas Islands in Panama.
On the other hand, if you have booked your holiday in Punta Cana and would like to add some fun snorkeling, usually combined with other tour elements such as a catamaran cruise or visiting islands, please read on. I am going to show you what to take care of when looking for the best snorkeling experience in Punta Cana. There are some pretty cool Punta Cana snorkeling excursions if you know which ones to book.
Furthermore, if you are a beginner in snorkeling, the options in Punta Cana will be amazing for you as all reefs and spots are super easy – no currents, usually shallow water and guides who take care of you.
The (best) snorkeling in Punta Cana and beyond
The best Punta Cana coral reef
As mentioned, Punta Cana’s coastline is dominated by a large reef that breaks the waves far away from the shoreline – this is one of the reasons, why Punta Canas’ beaches are so gorgeous and usually free of major waves.
However, this reef is far away from the coast and not suitable for snorkeling, not even with a boat or a snorkeling tour.
A much more accessible reef is located close to Cabeza de Toro. It doesn’t have a proper name, but it is not more than a mile away from some of the all-inclusive resorts in Cabeza de Toro, such as Serenade Punta Cana, Catalonia Punta Cana or Dreams Flora Punta Cana. The reef is particularly recommendable for two reasons and therefore much better than the standard reef where most of the Punta Cana snorkeling tours are heading to.
First of all, you have higher biodiversity. Among others, you can see parrot fish, sergeant major, butterflyfish, yellow snappers, squirrelfish, glasseye snapper and angelfish. When I snorkeled there, I saw more species of fish than with most of the snorkeling tours starting from Bavaro Beach.
Second, the reef is part of a restoration and rehabilitation project. This means, the tour companies take special care of this Punta Cana coral reef and support nature so that more fishes and corals will find a new home here. This is happening in a sustainable way.
If you want to experience this reef, you can check out this Eco-Snorkeling adventure here*. This private tour comes with the advantage of many customization options as the tour can be completely adjusted to your needs.
The best Punta Cana snorkeling excursion
If a private snorkeling excursion in Punta Cana is not what you’re looking for, don’t worry. In recent years, some pretty cool snorkel tours have been introduced into the market, which constantly satisfy the clients and have extremely high ratings. The first three tours mentioned in the following section are all heading to the Cabeza de Toro reef mentioned above. They are particularly convincing with personalized customer service, high quality and constant attention to detail.
The following tours 2024 are among the excursions with the best snorkeling in Punta Cana.
Small-Group Sailing and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour* – current rating 4.91/5.00 (as of December 2023), incl. pick-up from all hotels in Punta Cana; small group guaranteed with this Punta Cana snorkeling tour, as it is limited to a maximum of 16 guests. Snacks and drinks are included and this tour also heads to the Cabeza de Toro reef. >> Book this tour here*
Adults only Lux Coral Nursery Snorkeling* – current rating 4.91/5.00 (as of December 2023), incl. pick-up from all hotels in Punta Cana. This tour is usually heading to the Cabeza de Toro reef described above and is part of the reef restoration project. A fresh seafood lunch is included in this tour. This Punta Cana excursion is adults-only, check the tour below for the family option of this tour. >> Book this tour here*
Family-friendly snorkel lovers tour* – current rating 4.90/5.00 (as of December 2023), incl. pick-up from all hotels in Punta Cana. This tour is usually heading to the Cabeza de Toro reef described above and is part of the reef restoration project. A fresh seafood lunch is included in this tour. This Punta Cana excursion is family-friendly, check the tour above for the adults-only option of this tour. >> Book this tour here*
Half-day cruise with snorkeling experience* – current rating 4.71/5.00 (as of December 2023); incl. pick-up from all hotels in Punta Cana. This tour focuses more on the catamaran cruise and just offers a rather quick snorkeling stop at the Playa Bavaro reef in Punta Cana. It is more of a party boat with a snorkeling stop than a full snorkeling excursion. Compared to the other premium tours mentioned above, this is a rather standard option and at the same time the cheapest one of the snorkeling excursions in Punta Cana presented here. >> Book this tour here*
Snorkeling at Isla Saona
Isla Saona is by far the most popular excursion for all Punta Cana visitors – and it is without a question a stunning one. Marvelous beaches, turquoise ocean (with a color which appears too blue to be true …), stunning scenery and on most occasions and animated party cruise are a combination hard to resist when looking for a typical Caribbean holiday experience. And indeed, I can confirm, the excursion is amazing and will fulfill all your ideas of a picture-perfect tropical backdrop as you can also see here in my complete guide about Isla Saona.
While some tours to Isla Saona also include a snorkeling stop at an artificial reef consisting of a wreck and an old jetty devastated by a hurricane some years ago, which is home to some species of fish, snorkeling at Saona is subpar and the diversity of species low, maybe due to the many tours stopping here. Depending on the visibility, sometimes the wreck is also too deep to have a clear view – hence don’t except too much from your Saona excursion in terms of snorkeling.
HOWEVER, there is ONE exception to this: this super-cool snorkeling excursions to Saona* which visit the Saona channel, Isla Catalinita (not to be confused with Isla Catalina) and Cayo Raton absolutely focusses on snorkeling and is one of the best new tours in Punta Cana for 2024. If you’re looking for a snorkeling highlight during your stay in the Dominican Republic, definitely check out this tour which visits some super cool places and reefs off-the-beaten-track.
Snorkeling at Isla Catalina
If you are looking for a great place to snorkel around Punta Cana but still not too far away, Isla Catalina is your place to go. Isla Catalina is an island off the coast from La Romana, a major city in the Dominican Republic approximately 45 miles away from Punta Cana. It features two snorkeling spots – the reef called “The Wall” and some off-shore snorkeling right at the place where you spend your time for lunch, sunbathing and relaxing. “The Wall” is sometimes considered to be one of the best reefs in the whole area of La Romana and Bayahibe.
The best way to go to Isla Catalina is by an organized excursion. You get picked up from your hotel in Punta Cana, head to La Romana and then change onto a catamaran for a relaxing and fun cruise. The snorkeling stop is on the way to Isla Catalina. Honestly, I wasn’t super impressed by the snorkeling, but it was way better than at Isla Saona, so it is a decent choice. However, I loved the whole excursion, especially as it was a full catamaran excursion where you get drinks, music, food and you can explore a new island, so I can highly recommend this excursion from Punta Cana.
For this Catalina Island tour from Punta Cana, you have two options:
Option 1:
Isla Catalina Standard Excursion* – current rating 4.08/5.00. This is the regular excursion you get when booking an Isla Catalina snorkeling tour. It includes transfers from Punta Cana, a snorkeling stop, lunch, drinks and time on the island. >> Book this tour here*
Option 2:
Isla Catalina Premium Excursion* – current rating 4.89/5.00. This is one of the best excursions in the Dominican Republic you can book. It includes snorkeling at the Catalina reef “The Wall”, a premium lunch, open-bar and shore snorkeling right from the beach of Isla Catalina. Transfers for all Bayahibe all-inclusive resorts are included, for Punta Cana hotels transfers can be arranged for an extra charge depending on the group size. >> Book this tour here*
I have written a comprehensive article about Isla Catalina here if you are interested in further information.
If you are looking for private tours to Isla Catalina, check out this article.
Snorkeling during Punta Canas booze cruises and catamaran trips
Isla Saona and Isla Catalina are both around an hour driving away from Punta Cana, from most all-inclusive resorts in the area it is even around 1.5 hours. If you rather would like to start a boat trip right from your accommodation than driving so far, there are also several boat trips available that begin right off the beach in Bavaro and Punta Cana. There are plenty of choices, among them party-infested booze cruises, elegant catamaran trips or a combination of both, using various styles of boats including yachts, glass-bottom boats, pirate ships and many more.
Some of those tours include a snorkeling stop on a little reef off the coast from Bavaro. Compared to Isla Saona you might indeed see an abundance of fishes – but only because they are attracted and fed with bread when the tours are coming. Furthermore, it is kind of a monoculture, with most of the fishes being of the same kind.
Therefore, the booze cruises and catamaran trips along the coast of Bavaro and Punta Cana are fun with some nice scenery and it’s worth to go, but don’t book those tours if you are looking for excellent snorkeling experiences (as long as you are not a beginner).
Punta Cana Marinarium
The Punta Cana Marinarium is another tour you can book while on vacation in Bavaro and Punta Cana. Compared to the other snorkeling spots presented above it brings you a different experience as you have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks.
However, as most of the world-wide animal encounters, this comes along with serious limitations of the freedom of those animals. The whole area is mainly fenced off, taking away all the unspoiled beauty of this ocean paradise. The animals are visited and touched multiple times during the day, probably 365 days a year. They live in small crowded pools and are captured, they don’t have any freedom. That’s why the Punta Cana Marinarium makes it to our list of the excursions not to do in Punta Cana.
Please consider seriously if you’d enjoy this type of snorkeling experience.
Snorkeling in the Bay of Samaná
The best snorkeling reachable from Punta Cana in terms of a day trip is located in the bay of Samaná, which has two stunning reefs: “The Wall” and “La Farola”.
While “The Wall” is located right next to the famous “Bacardi Island” Cayo Levantado, “La Farola” is a sunken ferry between Cayo Levantado and the city of Samaná. I visited both spots and especially La Farola was top-notch with an incredible abundance of fishes and the best snorkeling I had in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.
However, it would be too easy if such an amazing snorkeling spot would be easily reachable from the all-inclusive resorts in Bavaro and Punta Cana. While it is indeed, as mentioned, only a few hours away and possible as a day-trip, there is, unfortunately, no organized excursion that visit the Bay of Samaná just for snorkeling.
Therefore you only have two options: either you book a pricey private tour from Bavaro or Punta Cana (contact me for tour operator details) or you’ll take advantage of the various group excursions heading towards Cayo Levantado and charter a fishing boat for a quick one-hour side trip while your group has free time on Cayo Levantado.
The best combo excursions with snorkeling
If you definitely want to snorkel in Punta Cana but also want to do other activities while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, you can consider a combo excursion. These tour packages usually include different activities such as ziplining, buggy adventures or parasailing and are combined with a snorkeling experience, hence you have multiple activities in one day (or – in exceptional cases – in 2 days).
The big advantage of this is that those combo packages save you time and money. For example, instead of booking two separate excursions for 70 USD each (= 140 USD in total) and having to take shuttles out of your all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana for two consecutive days, a snorkeling package combined with other activities cost (just as an example) 100 USD and can be done in one full day.
Some of the best combo excursions in Punta Cana with snorkeling are presented in the widget below. Feel free to check them out depending on which other activities you’re interested in.
Snorkeling off the resort in Punta Cana/Bavaro
With around 40 miles of coastline in the Punta Cana area, there should be some snorkeling opportunities right off the beach, people might think. That’s why visitors often raise the question which resorts in Bavaro and Punta Cana are the best to snorkel right off the beach?
To be honest, there is no great snorkeling in front of any resort as the large Punta Cana reef surrounding the whole area is several miles off the coast. The best bet for a snorkeling resort in Punta Cana would be the few resorts in Cabeza de Toro (Dreams Palm Beach*, Catalonia* (check extensive hotel review here), Sunscape Coco (check extensive hotel review of former Be Live here), Dreams Flora Punta Cana, etc.), as there is a small reef close to the beach.
If snorkeling right from your resort is important for you, you should check out the Bayahibe area (approx. 1 hour away from Punta Cana), as there are some artificial reefs accessible from the shore, especially along the resorts Dreams Dominicus, Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach*, Catalonia Royal* (check review of Catalonia Bayahibe here) and Iberostar Hacienda*.
Snorkeling in the Dominican Republic
I hope I have not destroyed your vacation dreams with this blogpost. As mentioned, snorkeling is possible around Punta Cana and might be even great for beginners, but experienced snorkelers can easily be disappointed. However, if you are planning to see more from the Dominican Republic than just Bavaro and Punta Cana, there are amazing snorkeling options available. As those are quite far away from the Punta Cana area, they are only suitable if you are keen to stay several nights in other regions and discover the country on a road-trip. Contact me here if you are looking for help crafting an amazing off-the-beaten-track itinerary for your holiday in the Dominican Republic.
Snorkeling at Cayo Arena
One of the best spots to snorkel in the entire Dominican Republic is the tiny little sandbar of Cayo Arena. It is one of the most picturesque sceneries in the country, as it is just a sandbar in the open ocean surrounded by shallow water and an impressive reef. It is the perfect spot for snorkeling. You can see tons of colorful fishes of all different species and if you are there in the early morning or late afternoon, you have the whole reef on your own.
Cayo Arena is located approximately a 20 minutes boat ride away from Punta Rucia, a tiny sleepy fishing town west of Puerto Plata. Punta Rucia itself is already an attraction itself as it has the charm of a seaside village like 30 years ago. Time seems to have forgotten this place.
From Punta Rucia, you can easily get a small boat that brings you to Cayo Arena. Alternatively, there are tours offered from Puerto Plata and beyond*. However, I highly recommend spending the night in Punta Rucia and heading off individually the next morning. Read more information here on how you can get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata and vice versa.
If staying in Punta Rucia, I am recommending you to stay at either Corales Guesthouse* (if you are on a budget) or at Punta Rucia Lodge* (if you’d like to splurge a bit).
Snorkeling in Sosua
Sosua is a town on the Dominican Republics’ north coast with a kind of sketchy image, especially at night. However, it also hosts a beautiful beach – Sosua Beach – which is widely known and especially popular with locals at the weekend. It is also one of the best options for off-the-beach snorkeling without the need for a boat or an excursion – so why not give it a try. Playa Sosua is home to a vibrant coral reef with different species of tropical fish.
Snorkeling in Las Galeras
Another snorkeling spot in the Dominican Republic is Las Galeras. The village is famous for its amazing beaches, which are part of the Samaná peninsula, among them Playa Frontón, Playa Rincón and Playa Colorada.
For snorkeling around Las Galeras, you can consider Playa Aserradero and Playa Frontón. Both beaches are offering on-shore snorkeling and are therefore a great spot for snorkeling in the Dominican Republic. Just note that Playa Frontón can only be reached by boat (or walking). You can even book a Playa Frontón snorkeling tour here* (which includes others of Samanás’ amazing beaches as well).
If you want to visit Las Galeras, you can check out the 3-day Samaná itinerary from Punta Cana or the ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary (1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks or more), depending on how much time you have and how many days you want to spend outside of Punta Cana.
If you need accommodation in Las Galeras, we can either recommend cozy 21 Palms* as a value option or the unique Chalet Tropical*.
Snorkeling at Silver Banks
You are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime snorkeling experience in the Dominican Republic? Then Silver Banks might be the place to go for you, as long as you have some spare change available.
Silver Banks is a submerged bank in the Atlantic Ocean between the territories of the Dominican Republic and Turks & Caicos. The area is famous for being home to one of the largest humpback whale populations during the migration season, which is usually from January to March. Due to the remote area, which requires a multi-day trip by boat to reach it, interaction with the whales is still possible in a very sustainable way and reaches until face-to-face encounters in the water, which is hardly possible anywhere else in the world. You can actually snorkel and swim with whales which is a big difference to the regular whale watching tours in the Bay of Samaná.
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity yet to experience this adventure on my own so I can’t share any personal experiences of the Silver Banks trip with you.
If you are interested about whale watching in the Dominican Republic, you can continue reading here.
What do you think about the snorkeling options in Punta Cana and beyond? Are you keen to go on one of the mentioned excursions? Do you have any questions? Which is your favorite spot to snorkel? Or maybe you have already been snorkeling in the Dominican Republic and can share your highlights with us? I am delighted to read in the comments about any snorkeling experience you might have had.
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CHRIS
Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.
ALSO WORTH READING:
The best all-inclusive adult resorts in Punta Cana for affordable luxury (mid-price segment)
The ultimate Punta Cana nightlife guide: activities, bars, discos, areas, resort parties and nightclubs in Punta Cana
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana – a comprehensive guide for this family all-inclusive resort
Punta Cana Map – a helpful and detailed map of Punta Cana’s Resorts
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I was surprised to learn that the best snorkeling isn’t in Punta Cana. My sister and her husband went there on their honeymoon and they still talk about it because they loved it there so much! It’s on my list for its beauty and because it’s a Spanish-speaking country. I liked the all-day catamaran tour with drinks and music that you mentioned for Isla Catalina. I absolutely love to snorkel and be on a catamaran with those beautiful views!
Hi Heather,
yes, Punta Cana is beautiful, might be the best spot in the world if you are looking for a Spanish-speaking country AND picture-perfect beaches. Isla Catalina is also a very nice excursion with some decent snorkeling.
When you come here, enjoy it and make sure to check back here. 🙂
Chris
It’s hard to take a bad photo in Punta Cana, isn’t it? Those colours and variations of blue are amazing! And it would be so easy to snorkel safely around the place too! The Caribbean is a world away from where I am but it’s a nice place to dream about…
Haha, Delphine, it is! Most photos are stunning thanks to the sunshine and the tropical colours. 🙂
I have not been to the DR. If I get there I would have to save for the trip to Silver Banks as the possibility of snorkeling anywhere a humpback is enticing. I also like the fact of the safety of DR snorkeling as I have done some trips with strong currents and gotten into pretty bad situations.
Hi Jamie,
yes, snorkeling in the Dominican Republic is pretty easy, there are hardly any strong currents at all.
Chris
Good to be forwarned that even with such a large reef the snorkelling in Punta Cana might not be some of the best! But I do often use snorkelling as a form of exercise so would probably try it if we visited. The water sure does look inviting. A tour that includes snorkelling sounds like a perfect choice. We would definitly want to try the Bay of Samana.
Hi Linda,
sure, you might spot some underwater life, even when snorkeling right off the beach, although it might not be as colorful as one might expect. However, during the snorkeling excursions, you can see some interesting marine life.
Chris
I like that you brutally honest about snorkeling in Punta Cana. It’s not the best snorkeling spot, but like you said, sometimes when people go there and they would like to go snorkeling for the very first time, then it’s good to go to Isla Catalina. Besides, enjoy what the catamaran excursion has to offer.
Exactly Umiko, and I don’t want to have a blog just to tell that everything is amazing. It’s important to be authentic and honest. Punta Cana is such a paradise, there are only a few things one can complain about, so it’s okay to mention the snorkeling. 😉
Chris
Hi – Can you recommend a private snorkeling trip to Samana Bay – we are a family fo 4 2 adults and 2 kids 10 and 12. The kids are good swimmer.
Eric
Hi Eric,
please send me a private message on Facebook or Instagram or an email ([email protected]) with some more details, especially the hotel you are staying at and your travel dates.
I don’t have prices yet, but I guess it would be something around 700-800 USD per family. In case you have a rental car, obviously it would be considerably cheaper.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
I have a question with your experience. We are going to Punta cana mid Feb and we are not able to decide which activity to chose. We cannot do both due to time constraints. – 1) Whale watching 2) tour to Soano island.
We are staying in Barcelo Bavaro adn have 2 kids age 7 and 4
Hi Nikita,
thanks for your comment.
To be honest, I would skip the Dolphin adventure. It is one of the few excursions where animals are held in captivity hence I recommend strongly not supporting these activities. There are so many beautiful places and activities the Dominican Republic has to offer (such as Isla Saona or Whalewatching), it would be a pity exactly choosing the one where animals are suffering.
If you still need to decide between whale watching and Isla Saona, it is a pretty tough decision. Both excursions last the whole day, hence I hope your kids are used to this kind of day-trips. I would probably choose whale watching as this is a nature-based excursion without too much alcohol and the kids will love seeing the big mammals. In case you decide on Saona, I would choose one of the premium tours as they are a bit quieter and more family-oriented.
Here you can check out my recommendations for each tour:
Saona – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/isla-saona-excursion-with-mano-juan-from-punta-cana/
Whale watching – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/excursion-whalewatching-from-punta-cana-by-bus-and-boat/
For further ideas on what to do during your holiday, you can also have a look at the best family activities in Punta Cana: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/excursions-tours/punta-cana-family-activities/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
What’s a good family trip snorkeling for younger kids 8-11? Beginners but maybe not a full day away from Punta Cana?
Hi Chris,
in this case, the following excursion is the best family snorkeling tour in Punta Cana: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/best-rated-family-lux-coral-nursery-snorkeling/
Chris
Punta Cana is a dream destination for SNORKELING and diving. The Caribbean Sea is home to thousands of varieties of fish, coral, sponges and other marine life. You will be amazed by the beauty of this area.
Hi there,
for someone who never went diving or snorkeling, Punta Cana is indeed a decent beginner destination. However, if you compare Punta Cana with other areas in the Caribbean or in the world, one have to be honest that there are better conditions in other snorkeling destinations so people know what to expect.
Cheers, Chris
Who could resist the Caribbean’s warm waters and the Atlantic Ocean? So, it makes profound sense to go snorkeling while in Punta Cana. I will use this blog as a guide to finding the best snorkeling places. Thank you for the post.
Hi Savita,
great, thank you. I am glad that this article about snorkeling in Punta Cana was helpful for you.
Cheers, Chris
Never considered to visit Punta Cana before until I found this post! Thank you very much for inspiring my next trip! Greetings from Canada.
Hi Kim,
great, I am happy that this article was helpful.
Cheers, Chris
It has always been my dream to visit the Dominican Republic. There seem to be endless things to explore and I love to try cruising and riding on luxury yachts! Though it might be a little bit pricey, but it’s worth it. Hope I could visit next summer. Thank you for this island tour guide, it would be easier for me when I get to visit there.
Thanks for your comment. I hope one day you can enjoy snorkeling in Punta Cana.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi, I live in Punta Cana and have never been to the reef at Cabeza del Toro…any tips how I can access the beach and from where exactly, as it isn´t easy to access the resorts. I am a good swimmer, so don´t mind swimming a bit up towards the reef. I want to go by myself instead of a tour. From Playa Blanca, there is also a bit of a reef, but not in the best conditions. But doable to do from the beach and swim up. Just in case you wanted to add that to your blog 😉
Hi Tanja,
thanks a lot for your comment and your suggestion.
I’d say even for good swimmers the Cabeza del Toro reef is too far out, it’s more than 2000 feet away from the closest beach access and more than a mile from the last resort.
Best regards
Chris