Samaná by boat: whales, Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado
Trips from Moto Marina across Samaná Bay.
You’re going to love Samaná
Samaná is a peninsula on the north-east coast of the Dominican Republic, and the bay that lies behind it is a significant breeding site for humpback whales. The town of Santa Bárbara de Samaná sits on the north shore of the bay, among the hills of the Sierra de Samaná. Spanish families from the Canary Islands founded it in 1756, according to Wikipedia.
Our trips start at the town marina and go out across the bay: whales in season, the mangroves and caves of Los Haitises National Park, the beach of Cayo Levantado, a snorkelling reef, or the sunset. Samaná has its own identity, quieter and greener than the big resort coast.
The 5 best reasons to visit Samaná
Humpback whales in the bayEvery winter humpbacks come to Samaná Bay, which is part of the Dominican marine mammal sanctuary. The Ministry of Environment opens the whale season each year, from 15 January, and authorises the operators. Sightings are never guaranteed.
A peninsula with its own characterThe Sierra de Samaná rises behind the coast, its highest point is Monte Mesa at 605 m, and the peninsula has fishing villages, wide beaches and a history that includes American families who settled here in the 1820s, known as the Samaná Americans.
Los Haitises National ParkAbout 826 km² of mangroves, limestone hills and caves with ancient rock art, created in 1976. Most visitors reach it by sea, and pelicans and frigatebirds nest on its bird islands.
Cayo LevantadoA small island in the bay, about 0.5 km by 0.9 km, nicknamed Bacardi Island after the rum advertisements in which it appeared. A swim and lunch on the beach is a classic stop of a day on the water.
Rainforest, waterfalls and quiet beachesThe peninsula has a tropical rainforest climate. Inland, El Limón has three waterfalls of up to 47 m, and the coast has beaches such as Playa Rincón and Playa Frontón, reachable by boat or on foot.
What to do in Samaná
- Go whale watching in seasonA half-day or full-day catamaran trip across the bay to watch humpbacks with a guide. Our trips list the season as 15 January to 31 March, and the whale sanctuary fee is paid separately.
- Spend a day in Los HaitisesA full day by catamaran past the bird islands, through the mangrove channels and into the caves with rock art, finishing with lunch on Cayo Levantado.
- Sail and snorkel at Cayo La FarolaA day under sail across the bay with a snorkelling stop at the reef of Cayo La Farola, lunch on Cayo Levantado and an open bar, or a shorter five-hour version with two swim stops and lunch on board.
- Watch the sunset from the bayA three-hour evening cruise from the marina with an open bar, music and a stop in calm water for the sunset, with the town’s waterfront and bridges in view.
- Charter your own boatA private catamaran or yacht for your group, for Cayo Levantado or for Los Haitises, with a captain and crew. Check each page for what is included.
Boat trips in Samaná Bay
Our Samaná trips are run by a local operator with a professional captain and a multilingual crew. Some are shared on a catamaran and others are private charters; they range from a three-hour sunset cruise to a full day in Los Haitises with lunch on Cayo Levantado, and there are shore excursions for cruise passengers. What is included, lunch, drinks and snorkelling gear, changes from trip to trip, so check each page.
The bay and its islands are protected places: the whales are wild, the bird islands are nesting sites and the park and the sanctuary charge their own fees, which are paid separately and not included in the price. The Ministry of Environment authorises the whale-watching operators, and we recommend following your crew’s instructions. At the end of this guide you will find our experiences in Samaná, with live availability and secure online payment.
Enjoy with peace of mind
Local operators
The trips are run by local operators who know these waters.
Live availability
Dates and times come straight from the operator’s calendar.
Clear prices online
The price you see is what you pay online; fees payable on site are listed on each trip page.
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Message us and we will answer your questions before and after you book.
Ready to sail?
Pick your experience and book direct, or message us and we will help you choose.
