Private Luxury Sailing from Casa de Campo to Catalina Island

The most unusual part of this six-hour sailing trip is the boat itself: a restored sailboat once used in the Hollywood film Dangerous Waters. From Marina Casa de Campo, you cruise to Catalina Island for four hours of snorkeling, beach time, and an open bar.

I like the small private format, limited to eight people, and the fact that transport, the Casa de Campo entrance fee, drinks, and light food are included. The main consideration is the price: at $750 per person, this is a high-cost outing, especially since lunch is not included.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Hollywood connection: You sail aboard a restored boat featured in Dangerous Waters, starring Ray Liotta, Odeya Rush, and Eric Dane.
• Small private group: Only your party takes part, with space for no more than eight people.
• Catalina snorkeling: The main stop lasts about four hours and includes time at The Wall, a coral reef known for marine life.
• Food and drinks included: You get salads, bruschetta, rum, beer, water, juices, and soda, but not a full lunch.
• Hotel transport offered: Round-trip private transportation is included, though the stated meeting point is Supermercados Nacional in La Romana.
• Plan around the weather: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, while normal cancellation requires at least 24 hours notice.

Why This Private Sailing Trip Feels Different

Many boat outings in the Dominican Republic are built around filling every available seat. This one takes a different approach. The boat carries only your own party, up to eight people, so you are not sharing the day with a large crowd or an unknown mix of passengers.

That matters most once you leave the marina. A private boat gives your group a more relaxed setting for conversation, drinks, and time in the water. It also suits families, couples traveling together, or friends marking a special occasion.

The Hollywood connection adds a bit of fun without taking over the day. The boat appeared in Dangerous Waters, then went through a full restoration. You are not simply booking a standard transfer to Catalina Island. You are spending the day on a piece of movie history that now serves as a sailing boat.

The tour is offered by Xcape Tours, and the available feedback places strong emphasis on service, attention to detail, the included tapas, and the drinks. One repeat customer described this as a third experience with the company and said the service continued to exceed expectations. That is useful context for a private outing, where the quality of the crew and handling of small details can shape the whole day.

Leaving from Marina Casa de Campo

The day begins at Marina Casa de Campo, the upscale harbor in La Romana. The sailing portion at the marina is listed as about 15 minutes, but think of this as the departure and initial cruise rather than the main event. The real time on the water comes at Catalina Island.

Casa de Campo is a private resort area, so the entrance process matters. Everyone must present a passport to enter the facilities. The company also needs each person’s full name and passport details at least 72 hours before the tour.

Your booking information lists Supermercados Nacional in La Romana as the start and end meeting point, while private round-trip transportation from your hotel is included. Because those details may depend on where you are staying, confirm the pickup arrangement before the day of departure. Do not assume that walking into the marina or arriving at the supermarket is the correct plan without checking.

Once aboard, the open bar is available with domestic rum, beer, water, juices, and soda. The setup is better suited to a leisurely sailing day than to a formal meal. You can expect light tapas-style food, specifically salads and bruschetta.

Four Hours at Catalina Island

Catalina Island is the heart of the outing. The island offers white sand, clear water, and coral reefs, with about four hours set aside for snorkeling and relaxing.

The main underwater feature is The Wall, a coral reef area with marine life. You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler to take part. The description emphasizes calm water and conditions suitable for beginners, which makes this a reasonable choice for a mixed group where some people are comfortable in the water and others are not.

I like the length of this stop. A short swim can feel rushed, especially when you have to board a boat, collect equipment, and get comfortable in the water. Four hours gives you room to snorkel, rest, eat the provided snacks, and spend time on the beach without treating every minute as a race.

That long stop also makes the tour useful for non-snorkelers. If someone in your party does not want to spend the whole time in the water, they can relax on the beach or enjoy the boat and refreshments. The supplied details do not promise specific beach facilities or a particular lunch service, so plan for a simple island stop rather than a fully catered resort day.

Lunch is not included. The salads and bruschetta may help with hunger, but they should not be mistaken for a full midday meal. If you or someone in your party needs a substantial lunch, ask Xcape Tours what food you may bring or what arrangements are possible before departure. The tour details do not specify a restaurant stop or a larger meal.

Snorkeling at The Wall

The Wall is the experience’s main natural attraction. You get clear water and a coral reef setting where you can look for marine life below the surface. The tour is aimed at both experienced snorkelers and beginners, so you do not need advanced water skills to see the appeal.

Still, the calm-water description should not be treated as a guarantee for every departure. Sea conditions can change, which is why the operator requires good weather and may reschedule or refund the trip when conditions are poor.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask any equipment and safety questions before you go. The supplied information confirms the snorkeling stop and the conditions described, but it does not list specific gear, flotation devices, or instruction. You should also be comfortable with the basic demands of getting in and out of the water from a sailing boat.

For a first-time snorkeler, the private setting is helpful. You can ask questions without feeling that a large group is waiting on you. For a regular snorkeler, the appeal is different: you get a generous block of time and can balance water time with a beach break and relaxed sailing.

What Is Included for $750 Per Person

At $750 per person, this is not a budget excursion. The price makes more sense when you treat it as a private charter rather than a standard island tour.

Included in the rate are:

• A private sailing boat with captain
• Round-trip private transportation from your hotel
• Domestic drinks, including rum, beer, water, juices, and soda
• Salads and bruschetta
• The Casa de Campo entrance fee
• Access to the private group format

The maximum of eight people is important when judging the cost. A full group would bring the total to $6,000, which is still a major expense but may work for a family gathering, wedding group, or group of friends splitting the cost. For two people, the same per-person price buys privacy, but the value is harder to justify unless the occasion matters more than keeping costs low.

The strongest value comes from convenience and exclusivity. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer, pay the Casa de Campo entry fee, or purchase drinks during the day. You also avoid the uncertain social mix and crowded feel that can come with a large shared boat.

The weaker point is the missing lunch. The included snacks are useful, but you should budget for food elsewhere unless the company confirms an additional option. At this price, some people will reasonably expect a complete meal, so this is worth clarifying before payment.

The Service Matters on a Small Boat

A private sailing trip depends heavily on the captain and crew. On a large excursion, a weak interaction can be diluted by the scale of the group. On a boat for eight, the service is part of the product.

The available feedback highlights attentive service, premium-feeling drinks, and well-liked tapas. It also describes hotel pickup as part of a smooth day. Those points suggest that the experience is designed around comfort and personal attention, not just transportation to Catalina Island.

No captain’s or guide’s name is provided, so I cannot tell you who will be leading your departure. Ask for the captain’s name and confirm the pickup details if those points matter to you. The company is Xcape Tours, and the boat comes with a captain as part of the private booking.

The restored vessel is another reason to expect a more characterful day than a basic motorboat transfer. Sailing boats move at a different pace. You get time to feel the breeze and watch the water between the marina and the island, but you should not book this expecting the fastest possible route.

Timing, Pickup, and Passport Rules

The stated duration is about six hours and 15 minutes. The main Catalina Island stop lasts four hours, with the remaining time covering transportation, marina arrangements, and sailing.

The listed operating window runs from October 12, 2024, through December 7, 2026, Monday through Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to noon. This appears to describe the available start period, not a fixed six-hour operating span. Confirm your exact start time when booking.

Hotel pickup is offered, and private round-trip transport is included. At the same time, the meeting point is listed as Supermercados Nacional, La Romana 22000. Confirm whether your hotel qualifies for direct pickup and where you should wait.

Bring your passport. It is required for entry to Casa de Campo, and the company needs passport details for everyone at least 72 hours before the trip. This is not a small formality. If one person arrives without the required document, access to the marina may be a problem.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give specific accessibility details. If anyone in your party needs assistance boarding the boat or entering the water, ask Xcape Tours before booking.

Who Will Get the Most from This Day

I would consider this tour for a group that values privacy more than price. Couples can enjoy a quiet day on the water, though the per-person cost is steep for just two people. Families and close friends may find the eight-person limit more practical, especially when the group can share the expense.

It also fits a special occasion. The restored movie boat, private captain, open bar, and long Catalina Island stop give the day a sense of occasion without requiring a full multi-day sailing charter.

Beginners can appreciate the calm snorkeling conditions and private setting. Experienced snorkelers may like the four-hour stop, but should ask about equipment and the exact water plan if The Wall is the main reason for booking.

I would not choose this if your top priority is the lowest price, a full included lunch, or a packed schedule of several stops. The tour focuses on one main island visit, with time to slow down rather than collect attractions.

Cancellation and Weather Planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made inside that 24-hour period are not refunded, and changes inside the same window are not accepted.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since snorkeling and sailing are central to the day, this weather rule is sensible, but keep some flexibility in your vacation schedule if possible.

Should You Book This Catalina Sailing Day?

Book it if you want a private, polished day on the water and can afford to pay for space, service, and convenience. The combination of a restored film boat, a captain, private transport, an open domestic bar, tapas, and four hours at Catalina Island gives you more than a basic beach transfer.

Before booking, make three checks: confirm your hotel pickup, ask what snorkeling equipment is provided, and decide how you will handle lunch. If your group can use most of the eight available places, the value improves considerably.

Skip it if $750 per person feels difficult to justify or if a full meal and a lower-cost shared boat matter more than privacy. For the right group, though, this is a memorable way to pair Casa de Campo comfort with Catalina’s clear water and reef life.

FAQ

How long does the private sailing experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. About four hours are scheduled at Catalina Island, with additional time for transportation, departure, and sailing.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is Supermercados Nacional in La Romana, and the activity ends back at that meeting point. Round-trip private transportation from your hotel is included, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement with Xcape Tours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of eight people, and only your private group takes part in the activity.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling at Catalina Island, including time near The Wall coral reef, is part of the experience.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes salads and bruschetta, plus domestic rum, beer, water, juices, and soda. Lunch is not included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Everyone must present a passport to enter the Casa de Campo facilities. The company also needs each person’s full name and passport details at least 72 hours before the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. For regular cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.