One of the best ways to view Punta Cana is to get off the resort and take a boat tour. Various operators offer different experiences, from private catamarans to group snorkeling trips. One of the most well reviewed tour operators is Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures, which has a fleet of catamarans for private and semi-private tours that take visitors to snorkeling reefs, deserted beaches and lagoons. Along with transportation to and from area hotels, Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures also offers guests drinks and lunch. The company's four-hour tour starts at $99 per person for a semi-private tour; private tours for groups of up to seven people cost $650.

Similar to Hispaniola, Happy Fish Catamarans also offers private or semi-private tours, which start at $79 for a four-hour tour that includes drinks, snacks and snorkeling. For dive trips, recent travelers suggest booking a tour with Ultra Marine Divers, which includes pick-up and drop-off service from hotels to the nearby Catalina and Saona islands for scuba diving excursions. Recent visitors praised the scuba dive instructors, saying they were both knowledgeable and friendly.