Full-day at Catalina Island from Santo Domingo with optional snorkeling included

Don’t do this excursion-Too much travel time

Travel included 2 buses and 3 boats EACH WAY! A total of 2 hours travel to and from (4 hours total) just transportation. If you have any mobility problems, AVOID at all costs this excursion. Imagine getting on a boat and then having to get onto another boat that the waves are pushing it into the other boat. We had two older people on our trip and I was really worried for them getting into these other boats as they are bumping into and away from the other. All it would take is one misstep and you could fall between the boats and get hurt or crushed (aka dead). Snorkeling was bad. They didn’t have the snorkels and masks cleaned from the last trip. They just handed you a dirty snorkel and mask and wanted you to dip it in this bucket (with no soap) to “clean it “ yourself. When snorkeling the water is grey and murky. I saw two small fish. Very lame since they said it’s the “best reef” in the DR. Also saw jellyfish which then I decided to get out of the water because I’m positive they did not have any proper emergency supplies if you got stung. The beach on the other side was nice but the rock shelf that you had to try to walk over to get into the water was dangerous . Another mobility issue. Even if you are firm footed it was ss till east to fall on the rock shelf because it was slippery. The buffet food was rice, watermelon and fatty gross meat. (Note- the food in the DR is downright terrible. I lost weight being there by 7 pounds because even at our all inclusive hotel, the food was practically inedible. Never fresh, always from a bag, frozen and then microwaved. (You quickly realize you are in a 3rd world country and the pretty beach pics weren’t telling the whole story.) Also don’t go to the DR if you don’t speak Spanish. They discriminate against non Spanish speakers by acting and saying rude things to you. You don’t get treated well, Especially if they find out you’re American. Bottom line, travel time in total was not explained to us. We were told an hour by boat but not the additional hour by bus and charging buses and changing boats. It was exhausting and it’s so dang hot you can easily get heat stroke.

Awesome trip. Robert is the BEST!

The boat ride back was a Caribbean dance party that was SUCH FUN! Snorkeling was amazing. The boat was big and clean. Robert is a fabulous tour guide who speaks excellent English. He went out of his way to make it a perfect day for us. The beach is rocky so you'll want your Crocs or water shoes. I highly recommend it!

Lots of driving in circles

Unfortunately we had a bad experience. The trip said it was an 8 hour trip, that picks us up at 6am and breakfast and lunch were included. Our driver arrived @ 6:45am, and then when we got to the breakfast place he made us pay for it. The worst part was that the driver didn’t know where we were going. So he drove us 30 minutes past our boat launch, to a different boat company. When he found out that was the wrong place he drove us to a second boat company that was 20 minutes back towards Santo Domingo. When he found out that was the wrong place, he driver us another 25 minutes to the boat company that accommodated us. So the 1h30m road trip that was supposed to start @ 6am, finally got to the boats at 10:30am. And the boat didn’t leave until 11:30… it was a nightmare. Then since we were so late, they only let us snorkel for 20 minutes and sit on the beach for an hour. We finally got home at 6pm. To the company’s credit they offered us a full refund and they were very communicative throughout the experience apologizing for what happened to us. So, I think it was a new driver who just botched the day all around. But the company recognized the hiccup and took responsibility for it. So I did appreciate that

Island Life! Snorkeling, Swimming, Lunch Included!

Incredible snorkeling followed by a relaxing swim in the sea and lunch on the island. Rum included! Mamajuana planned the perfect experience for us! We were picked up and dropped off at our Condo by Alex. Alex not only drove us, he spent the entire day with us, making sure we understood everything (we don’t speak Spanish) and that we didn’t need anything, knew where the restrooms were, what time was lunch and what time the boat was leaving! Thanks to MamaJuana and Alex, we were treated like VIPs! Amazing experience!!

Great guide, beautiful location

It was a long trip but it included so much and our guide helped us every step of the way. We had a great time. There were many guests and everyone seemed to be there for a different vibe of excursion, so be prepared to share the boat/beach with people who have different energies than the one you may be looking for. The beach was beautiful, and the food was good.

So worth it 😁

What an incredible time, everything was lovely, the views, the music, the people, the beach, I mean what's not to like? Make sure u are using plenty of sunscreen... Also be sure to ask for Alex best tour guide ever!!!!! For real, very kind accommodating all of that... I'd give 6 stars if I could, anyway yes, go on this tour for sure!!!!!

I do not recommend it

It's really not worth it, the snorkeling time was very limited, the stay on the island is unsatisfactory, the bathrooms had no water and the buffet was very poor. Those are divine beaches!

Una experiencia maravillosa! La mejor excursión , el staff amable y profesional, el paisaje espectacular.

la piscina natural sin duda un lugar paradisíaco, con sus aguas cristalina lo cual permite visualizar las estrellas de mar.

Muy buen servicio

Tanto la organización como el trato y el servicio muy buenos, me recogieron en Santo Domingo y me acompañaron todo el tiempo, trato personalizado, incividual y muy profesional. Totalmente recomendables