De Palm Island, Savaneta

We visited Palm Island in July 2022 and although it is a nice island, it’s not worth that kind of money. Three slides, a handful flamingo’s behind a fence, a snorkelling area above extinct coral, three restaurants of which one was closed and one closed early, a banana boat with a waiting line of about an hour (we waited in vain as the engine broke), one beach with and one without access to the sea. The flower beds looks very nice. The services are fine: a bus picks you up from the hotel (it was late so at first we were afraid we missed it) after which you’re put on a ferry to the island. The island features free WiFi and OK food. All-inclusive doesn’t encompass everything: for instance some cocktails and stuff for kids. We were also disappointed to have to pay another $5 for a tiny locker. For snorkelling, the snorkel and flippers are included. Tips: * If you just need a locker, join the line in the opposite corner of the reception. Otherwise, the reception will point you there after you’ve waited their line. * At the beach with access to the sea, near the rocks on the left, there are some black fishes that gently bite you.

Everything on the island ran smoothly. Our bus pick up was on time, the ferry departed frequently. We were disappointed on arrival by the small beaches, the sun loungers that were crammed together and the rocky shallows. The lockers were $5 but you need another $5 in deposit. We didn’t have the additional $5 and were asked to leave ID as a deposit (driving licence). The lockers are small (two of us and we crammed it full). The range of drinks on offer was good. Iced cocktails, cold soft drinks etc. the food was average fast food…chicken nuggets and chips. We were frustrated by people leaving food trays on the beach which were then quickly swooped upon by sea gulls. The flamingos looked rather sad. The slides were good fun. Overall an average day but if the resort you are in has a great beach, you will be disappointed by the beaches on de Palm Island.