Quick Answer: Private boat charters from Marina Casa de Campo (La Romana) start at $1,750 for a full-day charter. The standout experience is Catalina Island — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from the marina, world-class snorkeling at The Wall reef (15-25m visibility), and a pristine white beach. Saona Island is approximately a 1.5-hour ride — better accessed from Bayahibe or Punta Cana. Captain and snorkel gear always included.
La Romana sits in the southeastern Dominican Republic, and Marina Casa de Campo is one of the finest marinas in the Caribbean — 350+ slips, full service, and approximately a 1 hour 20 minute ride to Catalina Island. Most visitors here are staying at the Casa de Campo resort or Teeth of the Dog, and they quickly discover the water is the main event.
This guide covers the three realistic routes from the marina, the difference between Catalina and Saona, what The Wall snorkeling is actually like, and how to book without paying resort markup.
| Destination | Distance | Travel Time | Highlight | Best Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina IslandRecommended | 2.4 km | ~1h20 (approx.) | The Wall reef + white beach | Full day (10 AM–5:30 PM) |
| Bayahibe (alt. departure marina) | — | Not a route from Casa de Campo | Same destinations, ~25 min faster to Catalina/Saona | Same as Casa de Campo |
| Saona Island | 50+ km east | ~1.5 hrs (approx.) | Natural pool, remote beach | Full day (10 AM–5:30 PM) |
Catalina Island is 2.4 km from the marina — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by boat. The island has two distinct sides that make it a full-day destination on its own: the east side has The Wall, a coral reef drop-off descending from 3m to 15m with 15-25m visibility. The west side has a white sand beach with calm, shallow water ideal for swimming.
A full-day Catalina charter typically runs 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (approximately): depart 10 AM → snorkel The Wall 2 hours → anchor on west beach for lunch and swimming → snorkel again or explore → return by 5:30 PM. That's 5–6 hours of actual water time vs. 10–15 minutes on a shared day-trip bus/boat combination.
| Depth Zone | Depth | What You See | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reef Flat | 1–3m | Brain coral, sea fans, small reef fish | All levels |
| Wall Edge | 3–8m | Parrotfish, angelfish, barracuda | Snorkelers |
| Wall Face | 8–15m | Eagle rays, sea turtles, grouper | Experienced snorkelers |
| Deep Wall | 15m+ | Nurse sharks, large grouper, hammerheads | Divers only |
Sea turtles are spotted year-round at The Wall — they feed on the sea grass and coral on the wall face at 5–10m. Eagle rays pass through in the morning (7–10 AM) before current increases. Visibility is best December–May (20–25m) and drops slightly in summer heat (15–20m still excellent).
| Vessel | Capacity | Half-Day / 4h Catalina Tour | Full Day (10 AM–5:30 PM) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athena 38ft | Up to 15 | — | From $1,750 | Saona, Palmilla, Catalina |
| Fairline 43ft | Up to 12 | From $1,800 (Catalina only) | From $1,850 | Saona, Palmilla, Catalina |
| Velero 42ft | Up to 15 | From $1,650 | From $1,850 | Catalina, Palmilla Beach |
| Azimut 55ft | Up to 15 | From $2,750 (Catalina only) | From $3,250 | Luxury, VIP, Catalina |
| Catamaran Carbono 65ft | Up to 30 | — | From $3,800 | Large groups, Saona |
| Catamaran 60ft | Up to 20 | — | From $4,500 | Saona, Catalina |
Booking direct via WhatsApp is typically cheaper than through the resort concierge — same boats, same captains, same routes, confirmed in under 2 hours.
Tell us your dates, group size, and whether you want Catalina or Bayahibe — we confirm from Marina Casa de Campo in under 2 hours.
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