Private Luxury Sailing from Casa de Campo to Catalina Island

The most unusual part of this outing is the boat itself: a restored sailing vessel once featured in the film Dangerous Waters. From Marina Casa de Campo, you’ll head for Catalina Island with no more than eight people aboard, making this feel far more personal than a standard catamaran day.

I like the small eight-person group, which gives you more room to enjoy the boat and ask the captain for help in the water. I also like the simple comfort of round-trip private transport, an open bar, and tapas-style snacks, all built into the price.

The main drawback is cost. At $750 per person, this is a premium half-day outing, and lunch is not included. It makes the most sense for a couple, family, or small group that values privacy and service over a lower per-person rate.

Key points at a glance

• A Hollywood boat with a second life: Sail aboard the restored vessel featured in Dangerous Waters, starring Ray Liotta, Odeya Rush, and Eric Dane.
• Only eight people maximum: The small capacity keeps the day quieter and more personal than a large group cruise.
• Four hours at Catalina Island: You’ll have time for snorkeling, beach relaxation, and exploration around The Wall.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect domestic rum, beer, water, juices, soda, salad, and bruschetta, but not a full lunch.
• Private transport and Casa de Campo access: Hotel pickup is offered, and the Casa de Campo entrance fee is included.
• Plan your documents early: Everyone must provide full names and passport details at least 72 hours ahead, then show a passport to enter Casa de Campo.

A restored movie boat sets the tone

This is not simply a boat ride from La Romana. The vessel has a bit of screen history, having appeared in Dangerous Waters. It has since been fully restored for sailing, giving the outing a story to go with the sea views.

That detail matters most if you enjoy unusual travel touches. You are not visiting a film set or taking a formal movie tour, but the boat gives the day a conversation starter and a sense of place. The Hollywood connection is a bonus, not the main attraction.

The main attraction is the sailing itself. You leave from Marina Casa de Campo, one of the Dominican Republic’s luxury harbors, and head toward Catalina Island. The setting is polished from the start, but the day becomes more relaxed once you are out on the water.

With room for only eight people, the boat is suited to groups who want to stay together. You are not signing up for a crowded excursion with dozens of strangers. That privacy is a major part of what you are paying for.

Leaving Marina Casa de Campo

The trip begins at Marina Casa de Campo in La Romana. The published meeting point is Supermercados Nacional, La Romana 22000, while private round-trip transport from your hotel is included. Confirm the pickup details before the day of departure so you know exactly where your driver will meet you.

Casa de Campo access is part of the package, which is useful because entrance to the facilities requires planning. Every person entering must present a passport. You also need to provide everyone’s full name and passport details at least 72 hours before the tour.

The marina portion is listed as about 15 minutes, so do not expect a long guided visit on land. Think of it as the launch point and the first taste of the setting. Once the boat leaves the harbor, the focus shifts to the sea, the island, and time on board.

You will have a captain with you throughout the private sailing. The provided information does not name the captain, so you should not expect a guaranteed specific guide. The crew’s role is to handle the boat and support the day, while you settle into the pace.

Four hours around Catalina Island

Catalina Island is the heart of the outing. The planned stop lasts about four hours, giving you a generous block of time rather than a quick swim squeezed between other stops.

The island is known here for white-sand beaches and clear water. The schedule centers on snorkeling near The Wall, an underwater coral reef area with marine life. Calm water makes the site suitable for beginners as well as people who already feel comfortable with a mask and snorkel.

You should think of The Wall as the main active part of the day. The outing is not only a cruise with a short photo stop. You have enough time to get into the water, look around, return to the boat or shore, and relax without racing through the visit.

The information provided does not specify the exact snorkeling equipment, so ask what is supplied when you book. It also does not promise a particular list of fish or coral species. Conditions and sightings can change, but the clear water and reef setting are the reasons to choose this trip over a purely scenic sailing cruise.

Catalina also gives you a chance to slow down. After snorkeling, you can spend time near the beach and enjoy the Caribbean breeze. If part of your group does not want to snorkel, the long island stop allows them to enjoy the setting without treating the whole trip as an athletic outing.

What you eat and drink on board

The food is light rather than a full meal. Included snacks are salad and bruschetta, served in a tapas style. That works well during a sailing day because it is easy to share and does not weigh down the schedule.

Still, lunch is not included. This is the detail most likely to affect your planning. If you expect a six-hour trip with a substantial meal, you may find the food offering too modest. Eat beforehand or ask the operator whether you may bring anything additional, since the published details do not explain that point.

The open bar includes domestic rum, beer, water, juices, and soda. The selection covers the basic needs of a warm day on the water, with nonalcoholic choices for children and anyone who prefers not to drink.

The drinks are part of the comfort factor, not a promise of a full premium cocktail program. The available information calls them domestic drinks, so set your expectations accordingly. The service and convenience add value, but the menu is not the reason to book this trip.

Why the small group matters

A private boat for up to eight people changes the mood. You can spend the day with your own family or friends, rather than adjusting every decision to a large tour group.

This is especially useful for couples who want privacy, families who need a flexible pace, or friends splitting the cost together. It can also help beginners feel less self-conscious in the water. You have a smaller setting for asking questions and getting organized before snorkeling.

The tradeoff is price. At $750 per person, the total can become substantial even before adding anything extra. For two people, the cost buys a private luxury setting but may feel steep. For eight people sharing the boat, the same price can be easier to justify because transport, captain, Casa de Campo access, drinks, and food are already bundled.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging separate private transport, a private boat, and a snorkeling trip. The package is convenient, but value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about having the boat to yourselves.

The service has earned repeat business

The strongest praise attached to this outing concerns service, amenities, and attention to detail. One person described making the tour with friends and enjoying the tapas and drinks. Another had used the same company three times and specifically appreciated the hotel pickup and careful service.

That repeat-business detail is useful. It suggests the appeal is not only the island stop. Xcape Tours appears to focus on handling the practical pieces, from pickup to Casa de Campo entry to the onboard refreshments.

You should still keep the praise in proportion. There are only two published ratings, so the sample is small. That is enough to identify a positive pattern, but not enough to predict every captain, weather condition, or sailing day.

The most reliable conclusion is that this suits people who want a polished private outing and prefer having logistics handled. If your priority is the cheapest way to reach Catalina Island, you can likely find less expensive formats elsewhere. If your priority is a private boat with organized transport, this package has a clearer case.

Timing, weather, and planning details

The total duration is about 6 hours and 15 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a proper day outing but short enough to leave part of your day free.

The published operating hours are 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday through Sunday, for the stated operating period. Confirm your exact start time at booking, since the tour duration and operating window do not by themselves establish the precise departure time.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is a fair policy for a sailing trip, where wind and sea conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff uses local Dominican Republic time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

The tour is booked an average of 64 days in advance. That is a useful planning signal, especially if your trip includes a stay at Casa de Campo or a fixed cruise schedule. I would reserve early if your dates are not flexible.

Who should book this private sailing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples celebrating a special trip and wanting a private setting
• Families who prefer a smaller boat and a slower pace
• Friends who can share the per-person cost
• People staying near La Romana or Casa de Campo
• Snorkelers who want several hours at Catalina Island
• Film fans who enjoy the added story behind the restored boat

You should think twice if you want a large party atmosphere, a full lunch, or a low-cost excursion. The boat’s capacity is limited, the food is snack-level, and the price is high for a half-day outing.

It can also be a poor fit if your group dislikes advance paperwork. Everyone needs to submit full names and passport details at least 72 hours ahead, and all people entering Casa de Campo need passports. That is manageable, but it is not something to leave until the morning of departure.

Should you book this Catalina Island trip?

Book it if you value privacy, service, and a well-organized luxury day more than getting the lowest price. The combination of a restored movie boat, private transport, an eight-person limit, four hours at Catalina Island, and an open bar creates a distinctive package.

I would not book it expecting a full meal, a long cultural tour, or a bargain. The focus is simple: sail from Casa de Campo, spend quality time in clear water near The Wall, enjoy light food and drinks, and return without the usual large-group bustle.

For the right group, especially friends sharing the cost, it offers a comfortable and memorable way to see Catalina Island. For a solo couple on a tight budget, the price deserves a careful comparison first.

FAQ

How long does the private sailing tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. About 15 minutes is allocated to the Marina Casa de Campo portion, and approximately 4 hours is planned for Catalina Island.

How many people can join the private boat?

The maximum capacity is eight people. It is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Round-trip private transportation from your hotel is included. The listed meeting point is Supermercados Nacional in La Romana, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes an open bar with domestic rum, beer, water, juices, and soda. Light tapas-style snacks include salad and bruschetta. Lunch is not included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Everyone entering the Casa de Campo facilities must present a passport. You must also provide each person’s full name and passport details at least 72 hours before the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If bad weather cancels the tour, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.