Saona Natural Pool

The Natural Pool (Piscina Natural) is a large, shallow sandbank off Playa Palmilla, on the mainland side of Cotubanamá National Park between Bayahíbe and Saona. A coral terrace holds back the open sea, so the water over the white sand is only about 0.6 to 1.2 metres deep, and boats anchor a few hundred metres from the shore while everyone wades in. It is a stop on nearly every Saona day trip rather than a trip of its own: the drive from Bávaro to the boats at Bayahíbe takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and the pool usually gets 20 to 40 minutes on the way out or on the way back. Starfish rest on the sand, and they must stay in the water: lifting one out can kill it. Non-swimmers should stay near the boat or wear a life vest, since the edges get deeper. The water is calmest and clearest from December to April, and the pool is busiest when many boats arrive together. Our photographers are on the Saona day trips we work with, so the stop ends up in your gallery.