Saona Island (National Park)
18°11.98N 68°46.72W
15.6 nm from Casa de Campo
La Isla Saona is a wonderful stop and a fabulous anchorage. If the anchorage becomes rolly, move to the north and west to Palmillas, which is protected and excellent as well. However, I prefer Punta Catuan, because no one else is generally anchored here, and you will usually have the place to yourself.
In the addition the Coast Guard Station will be right in front of you. You can swim, fish, and take your dinghy into the “cut” between the island and the mainland. Actually if your boat draws 5′ or less, you can take your whole boat into the cut, and with care and good navigation come out on the East side.
Daytrippers on Catamarans, frequent the cut and go to the East side to anchor at Cayo Raton and Cayo Catalinita.
The anchorage at the north east corner of the island (to the north of the anchor sign on the chart) at Punta Catuan is excellent. In the lee of the channel between the mainland and the island one is protected from the wind by the island and from the swell by the channel. There is ample depth with twelve feet within two hundred yards of the small sandy beach.
Another anchorage is about 1 mile north and west at Las Palmillas (NOT Punta Palmillas). Most times you will see local boats anchored there in 7 to 10’ of water. To access the anchorage, go west, before turning north and east to the anchorage. You will thus leave the sand bar a wide berth.
Apart from the small beach at the anchorage there is a larger one on the mainland to the north called Playa Palmillas, a popular picnic spot for local yacht owners. Also further around the island to the southeast are numerous other beaches all backed by palm trees and providing some of the finest, whitest sand in the Caribbean. The water is crystal clear and the snorkeling excellent.
It is worth setting aside a full day to explore the channel between the island and the mainland which has a depth of no less than five feet all the way to the eastern end where it shoals. There is at the east end reefs all the way across between the land masses.
The edges are lined with mangroves so it is best to press on to the eastern end to enjoy the exploration of the island Catalinita within sight of two wrecks lying dormant on the reef. There is a small beach on the island worthy of a picnic and many natural delights to behold.
On the way back there is an opening in the mangroves at the northwest corner just before Punta Palmillas which opens up into a natural lagoon. It is well protected from wind and waves. Locally it has been dubbed ‘The natural swimming pool’.
Navigational Note:
Off the south coast of Saona, traveling eastward, there is a significant navigational hazard at 18°05.54N 8°39.66 clearly marked and named on the chart, ‘Bajos Del Caballo’. Breaking water over exposed rocks can be easily seen.
The NW corner of Isla Saona is a wonderful anchorage. Swim, relax, and purchase some fresh fish from the local fisherman. This is cruising like it used to be, uncrowded and intriguing.
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Hi,
We will soon set sail from Saint Martin to the DR, with the intention to sail the south coast from Saona to (Haiti) Ile a vache.
Two questions only:
1- Please confirm we have to clear in at Cap Cana Marina (should we expect high or low season rates end of may?)
2- We are unclear if we can anchor overnight at Saona Punta Catuan or Las Palmillas. How many nights could we spend here without making the rangers or coastguards “nervous”?
Thanks
Martine&Serge
catamaran D’ISLE EN ISLE
This Passage is called “Paso de Catuano”. Is betwen Saona Island and main DR Main Land, 9 KtMilles long passage with beautifull and wild views. Entering from the west to east are two way to croze the sand banks are betwen Saona and Palmilla Beach. One is getting into Palmillas and run with your engine 1.9 south, you are already pass the sand barrier, then folow Saona north coast until Cayo Raton. I pass in sailboats until 5.5 feet draft and under engine.
Another way to get into the Passage is coming from west to east, from the blue water, viewing the Passage you will see one point in Main Land at the closer and another end point from Saona Island, then you will need to put those point toguether and sail to east then you will visualize a small passage betwen the Sand barrier, this is about 6 feet deep.
Then you will need to close to Saona north coast alway until you find Cayo Raton.
Behin Cayo Raton is a really calm anchorage. We overnight during sailtrip from Romana to Punta Cana. Is beautifull and you will see some local fishermen catching lobsters and conch around. Cayo Raton have two way to get in and out, east and west. If you are only passing W to E live Cayo Raton to your starboard side and keep to the channel living the two wrecks to your port side, then you will be in Mona Passage.
Like Tom Said you will see two vessels wrecks, stay south, is a channel there betwen the clift and Catalinita Island.
Sail My Country, is Beautifull
Tony Torres
[QUOTE]It is worth setting aside a full day to explore the channel between the island and the mainland which has a depth of no less than five feet all the way to the eastern end where it shoals. There is at the east end reefs all the way across between the land masses.[/QUOTE]
Concerning the passage between the mainland and Saona we have made it through with no problems. There is a deep channel just off Pt Balaju, maybe several hundred yards wide.
Thanks for the guide!
Tom
Thank you for this comment. I have not addressed the “inside passage in this guide” because it is not marked and can pose a problem for boats drawing over 5 feet. However, it is a wonderful passage, filled with wonderment and intrigue.
Your participation on this site, makes the Dominican Republic Cruising Guide better for everyone.
Frank
We anchored near Isla Catalinita for some exploring on our way to PR. We really didn’t want to go back and around Saona so we followed the reef south from Catalanita till the breakers subsided. I recall a wreck at the south end of the reef that we kept about 200 yards off our port side.
On the above chart we would have anchored at the (12) then gone south following the 4 and 5 to the “n” in raton then headed east toward Mona.
We draw 3.5′ and had decent visual piloting conditions. Coming up to the opening it really doesn’t look like there is an opening, it appears that breakers go all the way across but we really didn’t want to backtrack so we explored a little and found what we considered a safe passage through.
I believe Tony Torres has been through as well, he might have more info and is a little more local:-)