ISLA SAONA
The most popular excursion taken by tourists visiting the Punta Cana are is to sauna island. Forming part of the 110 km2 national park of the east where no hotels have been built, the is land’s pristine Caribbean beaches are its main draw. Transportation is a combination of bus and catamaran or speed boats. The sauna island excursion departs from bayahibe beach. Sauna Island is part of the Cotubanama National Park. Located off the coast of the Altagracia province. It has 110 km2 (42 square miles) and in its surroundings are the most beautiful coral reef formations in the region and it has a great variety of birds and reptiles. Its beaches of crystal clear waters and golden sand, Dance classes are offered on the main beach of the small island, you can rest on the sand, take pictures and enjoy a buffet of Dominican food. There, 174 marine species and 10 different types of corals have been identified; sea turtles (loggerhead, hawksbill, green turtle and leatherback), birds such as shore gulls, waders, the crowned pigeon, and the green parrot. Also, endangered species such as the rhinoceros iguana, the manatee, the dolphin, and the perching bat. La palmilla is a marine area near the island is the natural pool formed by a large white sand bank with shallow water ideal for a swim in the middle of the sea.