One of the most popular activities when visiting the Dominican Republic is to experience the famous and blissful Saona Island.
Known for its stark white sands, clean clear turquoise water, and abundance of starfish, this serene picturesque island is a popular destination for photography fanatics and lovers of nature. This tropical island is a quick trip. Located approximately an hour and a half from the exotic Punta Cana and our luxurious TravelSmart resorts, including Royalton Punta Cana, Royalton Bavaro as well as CHIC Punta Cana.
While this island is truly a sight to behold, we recommend using cautions or you might just make a fatal mistake. Many visitors come to the tropical island to relax and frolic in the water or play on the beach. During your tropical vacation, you may even encounter starfish! These starfish have become a must-see experience for many tourists but most don’t know the danger while taking pictures with these delightful little creatures.
While on their travels, tourists are encouraged to take pictures with the starfish and enjoy the island but you should always keep in mind that these little creatures are heavily protected species. If you don’t want to get into trouble remember one simple rule while handling these brilliantly colored little guys. Photos are allowed and handling them is allowed but NEVER take them out of the water! Due to the delicate bodies and breathing gills, repeatedly taking them out of the water will cause them to DIE!
Did you know that starfish aren’t actually fish?
While they are known as starFISH, they are actually classified as sea stars. Very different from fish since they don’t have blood, gills, scales, fins or the ability to swim. Mostly they use their arms to help them move along the ocean floor.
Did you know not all starfish have 5 arms?
The idea became more popular through social media and television but actually, they can have many arms or less than 5. It depends on their age and species. Even though these arms are very important for transportation and catching food they aren’t fully necessary. In an incredible feat of evolution, starfish can actually regenerate their arms if they are damaged or one is lost. This is very important because not only does it allow them to move and hunt but at the tip of each arm they also have eyes!!! This allows them to differentiate between dark and light but unfortunately, that is the extent of their abilities.
