Afternoon Catamaran, Snacks And Drinks

Overview

This half-day trip runs on a double decker catamaran built for 72 passengers but capped at 27 guests, so there is plenty of deck space and shade for everyone on board. HAPPY FISH CATAMARANS sails along the shallow waters of Punta Cana and Cape Engaño, heading first to a nature reserve near Cabo Engaño for swimming and snorkeling, then anchoring at a sandbar where the water sits around waist height and a floating bar serves drinks straight into the sea.

Between stops you can try stand-up paddleboarding, use the slide that splashes into the water, or simply stretch out in the shaded area with a cocktail. The open bar pours beer, rum, tequila, cocktails, tropical juices, soft drinks and bottled water, while snacks come in the form of nachos with salsa and seasonal fruit. Restrooms are on board.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the whole thing takes three and a half hours, a length one family reviewer said suited their search for activities of no more than four hours. It suits anyone comfortable in the water for short stretches, including weaker swimmers, since the sandbar stop lets you stand on the seabed while drinking. Tips are not included, and one reviewer noted the crew even chilled out in the water with the guests.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupA van collects guests from their hotel and drives to the departure point. Travelers describe the ride as comfortable and the pickup as punctual.
2. Board the catamaranGuests board the double decker catamaran, limited to 27 people or fewer. Drinks start flowing once the boat sets off.
3. Sail along the coastThe boat cruises the shallow waters of Punta Cana and Cape Engaño near the shore, with music playing and shaded seating available.
4. Snorkel at the nature reserveThe catamaran stops at a natural reserve near Cabo Engaño for swimming and snorkeling with equipment provided. Reviewers mention lots of fish and feeding them.
5. Sandbar with floating barThe boat anchors at Sandbar Cove where guests stand in waist-deep water, order drinks from the floating bar, and try stand-up paddleboarding.
6. Slide and splashGuests can use the slide toboggan and splash into the water during the swims. Reviewers also mention a diving board.
7. Return and drop-offThe catamaran heads back and the van returns guests to their hotels.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you prepare for this trip, based on the listing and what guests consistently report.

• Bring basics. Pack swimwear, a towel and sunscreen, the three items the listing tells you to bring.
• Small group feel. Guests are limited to 27 or fewer on a boat with much higher capacity, and reviews repeatedly mention how empty and spacious it felt. One recent group counted only 4 people, another 10, another 16. The experience can land somewhere between a small party and something close to a private cruise.
• Weaker swimmers fine. The sandbar stop takes place in water shallow enough to stand in, which one reviewer who is not a strong swimmer specifically appreciated. Snorkeling happens at a reef, and anyone who prefers to skip it still gets the sandbar, the slide and the boat time.
• Food and drink. The open bar includes beer, rum, tequila, cocktails, juices and soft drinks, plus bottled water. Snacks are nachos with salsa and seasonal fruit, which reviewers called delicious and freshly prepared.
• Lively atmosphere. Music plays throughout the trip and the crew is described as fun, funny and attentive, with a bartender who gets regular shout-outs for his antics. One guest found the volume just right, while the review summary notes some travelers would prefer it lower or a quieter area.
• Timing and length. The tour runs 3 hours and 30 minutes, which a family in the reviews said fit their preference for activities of no more than four hours. Pickup is punctual, sometimes even ahead of time, and one guest described a van ride of roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

Common issues. The main complaint in the review summary is that onboard music can be too loud for some tastes, with a few travelers suggesting a lower volume or a quieter spot on the boat. Tips are not included in the price, so budget for the crew if you want to tip. Snacks are light, so anyone expecting a full meal will need to eat before or after. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the journey, which is worth knowing for families with very small children.

Choosing Your Pickup Time