Explore Los Haitises & Caño Hondo: Private Mangrove, Cave and Natural Pool Tour with Lunch
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people with average mobility; involves short boat transfers and easy, occasionally slippery shore landings.
Overview
Glide through mangrove cathedrals and light-dappled caves, then cool off in the natural pools of Caño Hondo—this private, guided day tour pairs slow boat exploration of Los Haitises with a local shore lunch and swim at Sabana de la Mar.
Explore Los Haitises & Caño Hondo: Private Mangrove, Cave and Natural Pool Tour with Lunch
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The motor hums low as the boat slips out of Sabana de la Mar harbor, the town’s clapboard roofs shrinking behind you and a green wall of mangrove branches reaching for the sky. Inside Los Haitises, the water narrows into channels that force you to lean forward—roots and trunks press close enough to see barnacles and fiddler crabs at eye level, and light slices through like a spotlight on the limestone ribs of distant islands. Your guide, a local trained alongside biologists, points to a dark lip where a cave mouth yawns and says, simply, “There are pictographs here.”
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring water-friendly shoes
Landings and stepping stones at Caño Hondo are slippery; closed-toe water shoes protect feet and improve traction.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Mangrove and marine ecosystems are fragile—choose biodegradable sunscreen to protect coral and sea life.
Pack a dry bag for valuables
Phones and wallets can get wet during transfers and shoreings; a small dry bag keeps them safe.
Tip locally in cash
Lunch is included, but the guide and boat crew appreciate modest cash tips for exemplary service.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- frigatebirds and herons
- cave-dwelling bats
History
The park contains Taino petroglyphs and archaeological sites; its sheltered bays once offered refuge to indigenous communities and later colonial-era sailors.
Conservation
Los Haitises is a protected area—stay in designated channels, avoid touching cave art, and use reef-safe products to limit impact on mangroves and marine habitats.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sabana de la Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Closed‑toe water shoes
Protect your feet on wet rocks and during boat/shore transitions.
Dry bag (small)
Keep electronics and documents dry during boat travel and in caves.
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin while minimizing harm to marine life.
summer specific
Light rain shell
Sudden tropical showers are common—pack something lightweight to stay comfortable.
fall specific