whale tours samana

Moto Marina Tours

No.1 boat & whale watching tour operator in samana.

Most Secure Fleet of Modern Boats, Sailing Catamaran & Speed Boats

Cayo Levantado

Come and enjoy the paradise island of Cayo Levantado, its turquoise blue waters, its white sand, and a typical Dominican lunch

Los Haitises

Los Haitises National Park is fascinating! You'll have a full experience in the middle of nature. Declared a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO

Whale Watching

Every year we are visited by the giants of the sea, the Humpback Whales. It is an unforgettable experience to watch them aboard our boats

Sailing & Snorkeling

What if we party around the bay on a catamaran? Snorkeling, music, good food, the beautiful bay of Samana. This will be one of your best parties

Testimonials

Me and my firends visited the beautiful beach in Cayo Levantado and then went whale watching with Moto Marina. It was an amazing experience the staff was very kind and knowledgeable. I'm planning my next trip with them very soon!

From the very start of my interaction with Moto Marina, it was clear that they were professional and courteous. When we arrived at the office, that feeling was confirmed. And then when we got on the boat and experienced their generosity.

SUPER RECOMMENDED! We went whale watching and it was amazing. The crew had amazing energy and they had a lot of information on the whales as well as a couple of jokes as they guided us around the bay. We saw a lot of whales including some babies.

Our motto is: Safety, Fun, and Culture.

Moto Marina Tours is the first Tour Operator in the port of Samaná, maintaining a reputation for excellence since 1986 with a high standard of quality and good service in our operations. Your safety is our priority, and your fun is our engine.

MotoMarina Tours: The pleasure of traveling at sea.

Samana Whale Watching

Best Low Price of only $49 USD per Adult!

Our New 40 foot Boat

See Humpback Whales up close with DDD!

Nice Humpback Jump!

Cayo Levantado island on background

Not to be missed tour

Whale season is from January 15 to March 31

Lunch on the island

Just add $10 USD to bundle Whale Watch + Cayo Levantado

New 40 Foot Catamaran

DDD Whale Watching has a new 40 FOOT Motor Catamaran that offers a nice smooth ride on the water to see up close these giant humpback whales visiting the bay of Samana every year.

See Whales up close!

Humpback jumping in Samana bay (on background you can see Cayo Levantado island). DDD gets you close to these giant mamals that visit Samana Bay from January 15 to March 31.

Lunch at Cayo Levantado

Combine your Whale Watching with the idyllic island of (Bacardi) Cayo Levantado! Just add $10 USD per person for a delicious lunch of chicken, fish, salad, natural water and soft drink included.

Book your tour now! Departure from Samana port.

Address: DDD WHALE WATCHING  Avenida La Marina  (Main dock of Samana) Santa Barbara de Samana 32000  Contact: Email: ddd.samana @hotmail.com  Phone: Owner DAN +1 (849) 631-0934

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SAMANA WHALE WATCHING

Our favorite experiences dominican republic.

2 Hours Hiking Rain Forest Los Haitises

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$ 50.00 $ 30.00 Per Person

Taxi Sabana de la Mar to Bayahibe / shuttle - Transfer Private

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• transportation from Sabana de la mar To Bayahibe

$ 290.00 $ 270.00 Per Person

27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. Hotels Pick-up.

• 6 - 7 Hours
• Bus Transfer incluided

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(Ermitano Beach) Playa Ermitaño Boat tour and Playa Onda, Half - Day Trip, Samaná - Dominican Republic.

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Samaná Day Trip From Bayahibe - El Limón Waterfall and Bacardi Island

• catamaran, safari, Horses riding

$ 170.00 $ 149.00 Per Person

El Fronton (Hiking and Swimming)

$ 65.00 $ 45.50 per person.

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SAMANA WHALE WATCHING Tours & Excursions in The Dominican Republic. No extra fees charges and when you Book with us you are supporting locals tour Guides from small communities in the Development of Ecotourism and Nature resources protection. The payment goes directly to the Locals. Non-Tour Operators.

Office Dom. Rep Phone/ Whatsapp Number: (+1) 829 318 9463

Office USA (California) Phone: + 1 (323) 283 8938

Office Europe Phone/ Whatsapp Number: +420 702026106

• Private Excursions
• Group Tours
• Transportation
• Sabana de la mar
• Whale Watching
• Bird Watching
• Los Haitises
• Saona Island
• Limon Waterfalls
• Cancellations & Booking

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The Journey is the reward

Full-Day Whale Watching Tour in Samana Bay from Cabeza de Toro

• Roundtrip transportation
• professional guide
• This schedule is an approximation. Please let us know your hotel or accommodation name We will be contacting you to give you the right pick-up time, depending on your hotel or your accommodation.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• Ronald V 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles El Limon is beautiful The country and falls were beautiful. Our lunch afterwards was really nice. For future patrons, it was a bit challenging to figure out how to properly tip. Each one of our party of five, had an assigned guide. We had no way of knowing that beforehand. When I was trying to get direction on how we should tip, no clear or consistent response was to be had, and the guides were telling my son that $50-60 per guide was the norm. That would have been in excess of $300 in tips alone. We ended up giving half that, as it was all the money we had brought with us Other than that, the excursion was great Read more Written May 7, 2024
• daisaj 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun filled One of the most relaxing and fun water day. I enjoyed it. We spotted 2 time, had a chance to get off the boat and turn up. Switched over to a speed boat which was fun as well Read more Written May 3, 2024
• Explorer732315 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Loved seeing the Whales. Papa George was amazing. Funny, interacted with everyone and was very knowledgeable about the whales. He spoke Spanish, English, Italian, French and German. The only issue we had was the amount of boats on the water and every single one followed the whales and didn’t cut their engines to avoid propeller strikes. As wonderful as it was to see them, it was less wonderful to watch them being chased each time they surfaced. The island was great, lunch was nice. The vendors were unrelenting which made it hard to want to walk through the area. Read more Written March 3, 2024
• shellabella1228 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Worst excursion experience ever! Worst excursion experience ever. 30 minutes late to pick us up in the morning and then they dropped us off at a gas station to wait for another van to pick us up with my 2 children. Then we get in the next van and we were told we couldn't sit in 4 seats because we had 2 kids we had to sit in 3 seats, so for a 2 hrs drive my 7 year old had to sit on our laps or floor with not enough seat belts. The entire trip was clearly a ploy to give their friends and family as vendors money. We stopped at a store along the way for no reason when we were already late for our 9am boat (according to what I booked). When I contact the tour operator on what's whatsapp, he made it seem like this was all normal and I was in the wrong. We finally made it to our destination at almost 11am. We were supposed to be picked up at 7am. The whale watching was good that's about all I can say but that was a fraction of the trip. I booked a half day (4-6 hr) whale watching tour with round trip transportation and lunch that is what it said on listing. When we were done with whales we stopped at an island where they tried to sell us drinks, photos with animals and we had to walk through a market. No lunch though when we asked when lunch would be they said at the next stop which confused us because we thought we would be going home after the island? We took another boat ride to a port, took a long open air bus ride where I asked the tour guide about us booking a half day excursion and he said no you can't go home the tour wasn't over. When we reached our next stop at a ranch, it was legitimately someone's house where they made rice, beans chicken etc and that was our lunch. I started speaking to multiple people and they had booked only whale watching too, children, elderly people all dressed for whale watching boat tour, just wait next were forced to ride horribly mistreated horses up and down a mountain, my children have never ridden a horse and it was very steep terrain. Then we get to the end of the trail where we had to hike down a mountain in flip flops and crocs and bathing suits (again we only booked whale watching). We reached a waterfall which was pretty but had very slippery sharp rocks under the water and muddy rocks around the water as well, one of us slipped and hit our knee and it bled and swelled. We were not wearning footwear for hiking or goin in the water. We then had to hike back up the mountain wet with slippery sandals, and it's a very steep climb, an older couple with a cane had to take numerous breaks, my mom would never have been able to partake in this never ending ridiculous excursion, and it would have been nice if we got only what we booked and not forced to partake in activities to get their friends extra tips. I called the operator again and he didn't speak much English and said this is a full day tour there's nothing they can do, its not a private tour its shared, like they could make us do whatever because it was a shared tour?! Our guide said complain to the tour company it's not his problem. We had to tip the very nice horse people (they did good but we weren't prepared for this activity) and then didn't have enough for the boat people. This entire excursion was a joke, multiple people were bamboozled into a tour 3 times as long and had to do activities they didn't sign up for. We didn't get home until 8:30pm! We had a dinner reservation we missed and we had started waiting for this tour at 7am! I am surprised more people didn't get hurt, as no one seemed to be prepare for a hike. My children ate only bread from 7am to 8:30pm because we didn't get a choice in lunch. We were all exhausted and sore and were basically held hostage doing an excursion we never wanted. DON'T BOOK THIS TOUR OR USE THIS TOUR COMPANY THEY ARE CROOKS AND PUT US IN DANGER MULTIPLE TIMES!!! Read more Written February 20, 2024
• windwalkerss 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Huge Disappointment This our review for we experienced on a private excursion. Keep in mind I can normally put up with some disappointments but what happened yesterday was terrible and if you are like me you come to the page to gain information on what companies to use etc. We used Shilling Tours and they had great reviews We went on a 6 in one excursion yesterday for 7 people and it was not anything like what we were told. And all of us were extremely disappointed We had Roberto as our interpreter and photographer and he was AMAZING however everything else was a huge disappointment I was told it would be a big boat with adequate facilities, with an open bar all day, and snacks What we got was a small very crappy boat with no bathroom no where to lay out and relax. The boat was terribly rough. Several of our group has had surgeries and the roughness of the boat hurt them horribly. I finally talked to Roberto and he asked the driver to slow down. The pictures on their website are very misleading. I emailed back and forth multiple times and asked tons of questions so it’s not like I didn’t make sure we were getting what I asked for. Basically I was lied to. We only 1 bottle of water per person and no snacks and no open bar! What makes them think 1 bottle of water will be enough to make it 8 hours???? We had to buy our own water after that. The only other drink options was beer or coke. To make it worse I got a phone call the day before and was told there would be rum too. No snacks and no open bar at all. We had to buy rum drinks on Sonoa island. We were told there would be a lobster lunch and got chicken and fish. If we wanted lobster we had to pay $$ Other than the beautiful seas and seeing some of the coolest beaches the trip was very disappointing. Read more Written December 3, 2023
• robertsP5769EL 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Catalina Island excursion is a terrible experience The experience on the Catalina Excursion in the Dominican was absolutely awful. We have done many excursions in so many other countries but this was by far the worst experience ever. We started the day at 7:30 from the hotel going to a meeting point where we were transferred twice in different vehicles. When we got to the boat same experience we were all loaded on one boat of about 30 but they decided we needed to cram more people on another boat so was removed off of that one to the other that already had at least 30 on it. We finally left 3 hours later on the boat packed like sardines. Get to the snorkeling spot and was told we only have 30 minutes now to snorkel because of all the delay so by the time all 60 people unloaded to snorkel and I was ready to get in they told everyone to get out of the water heading to the island. Upon arriving out a ways from the island we anchored where they had to send 3 different boats out to get all the people off the boat which again packed like sardines and took for ever to finally get on the island. We had 2 hrs 30 min to spend on the island where the bar was setup like what you would consider in the states like a kids lemonade stand. The alcoholic drinks were for the most part premade. Also the cups given for water or awful sangria was in small Dixie cups! They did have two bottles of alcohol and the beer did not show up until 1 hour after being on the island. The sand was extremely hot and the ocean was so full of large rocks that you couldn’t get out farther than knee deep water which we didn’t experience either at our resort in Punta Cana. There was no alcohol on the boat at all to or from the island. The restrooms on the boat had no way to flush so they were pretty bad by the time we reached the island. All we wanted was a fun filled day of snorkeling and beach time but quite honestly the time for the trip could not come fast enough as we were so upset and disappointed to spend the money on a very miserable excursion. Waste of money and to be quite honest feel like we should be refunded our money. I am certainly not the guy that is looking for anything free in life but this was ridiculous. Read more Written November 15, 2023
• samanthaaV675SQ 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Pretty Chaotic The pros of this tour was we did get to see whales. However this tour was incredibly chaotic from the very poor communication of finding the bus picking us up from the hotel to getting to the drop off location where no one knew what was going on. The weather was HORRIBLE (while I get they cannot control that they did said they would cancel/reschedule if it was) everyone was throwing up on board, not only were the waves flooding the boat it was pouring rain too making it hard to see the whales. The boat was also way overcrowded. Trying to figure out which island people are going to and where we were going for lunch was a disaster. It was also hours longer than what we expected. Another review posted on here sounded just like the same experience we had. As much as we loved seeing the whales I would have rather stayed at the resort and went else where to see whales. Read more Written August 7, 2023
• 817nans 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles You have to be there to experience this adventure More than what was expected. Most amazing 360 degrees view of the sea and the mountains. Our guide Alex, is very professional ar what he does. Excellent no rush tour, tasteful lunch, and provides tip on souvenier shopping. I recommed this trip for away from the beach, cities tour, and if possible, get Alex as your tour guide, there will be no regrets. Read more Written August 5, 2023
• R3287BOolgas 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible experience The guide didn’t show up. We waited for the whole hour nobody picked me and my family. We tried to contact the phone that was provided nobody picked up the phone. We tried to text nobody reply. We tried to communicate from TripAdvisor nobody answered. Read more Written July 14, 2023
• NorthStar29588756902 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles The Excursion from Hell I am an honest person, so I am going to tell you the truth; the good, the bad and the ugly. My husband booked this snorkeling excursion for for a fun getaway from the hotel through Trip Advisor. It was midway through our vacation and we were looking forward to it. The good.... the crew was friendly, hardworking and polite. The captain had driven boats for 27 years, so we felt safe on the large boat under his guidance. Once we arrived at the beach for lunch, the water was very pretty. The bad.... When snorkeling, they make you wear a life jacket the entire time. This has never been our experience on any excursion, anywhere. While I appreciate safety, maybe they should base it on swimming ability. (and yes, the water was calm) The belt of the life jacket was cutting into my neck the entire time to the point that it hindered my breathing through the snorkel (and we had brought our own good snorkels and masks) My husband was so frustrated, he just went back to the boat, and most others quit snorkeling and just sat on the life jacket. Maybe instead of just sitting in the boat, the staff could have been active watching the snorkelers to make sure they were okay, and not on their phones, or asleep; then the participants would not have to wear life jackets. When snorkeling, you have to stay within 10-12 feet of the boat the entire time. They do not want you anywhere else. If there are fish there, that is great; if not, too bad. We looked at the same 10 black fish the entire 45 minutes in the water. While we were snorkeling, the other half of the boat went scuba diving. Part beginners, part advanced. The advanced group did not see 1 single fish. The beginners were with us. Pretty boring experience. The ugly....After snorkeling, we headed to the island for lunch. The snorkeling group would eat, while the diving group went on a second dive. Meaning we would be there an awfully long time. To get to the island, the large boat stops, and puts the passengers in a small boat to shuttle in. They combined us with another large boat. This put 28 people in a small pontoon boat to get to the shore. I cannot tell you how many times we almost tipped over. No life jackets required for that part. Even though we were moving toward shallower water, this was not safe. Once on shore, of course other people were already there. There were plenty of lounge chairs, but only shade enough for about 5. Lunch was served buffet style. We started eating. A nice family from Germany that spoke English sat down across from us. As we chatted, the lady pulled a live white maggot out of her spaghetti and put it on the table. I almost lost it. My husband and I promptly quit eating; although we did not have the spaghetti. We had to wait another 2 hours after that for the scuba group to get back and for them to eat before we could leave the island. We were shuttled back out, and given rum drinks on the boat back to the dock before going to the hotel. Ruined trip....My husband got sick that night. I became ill the next day. The rest of our trip was ruined. All remaining 4 days. We could not eat; could hardly even drink water. I lost 7 pounds between Thursday and Sunday morning, and I am not a big person at all. We arrived home Saturday night and were at Rapid Med Sunday getting bloodwork tested and IV fluids. Our first solid meal was Thursday (a week from the Thursday I got sick) We are still waiting on tests to see if we have a parasite. Although we did not see anything in our food, clearly it may have been maggot eggs, or poor handling of the food that made us sick. We always go on excursions, and have been to at least 20 different countries plus the Caribbean the past 25 years in row, and this has never happened to us. Do not book this excursion and ruin your vacation! Not only will you regret it during your trip, but when you get home as well. And there is the honest review. Read more Written July 8, 2023
• Trail27824775561 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I will come back again with them and To go 5 Star It’s was an amazing experience, he was nice, friendly… took us to experience the country side and meal. Took us to best party plugs , restaurants and affordable shop locations Read more Written July 4, 2023
• Mrbrianfitz 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Good times, good food, great people The beach was awesome and the ride back was one big party. The crew was amazing. Made new friends from all parts of the globe. Highly recommend for good food good vibes and great fun. Read more Written June 15, 2023
• richardnF5691YP 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Awful communication Unable to go due not coordinating travel to and from hotel after multiple tries via WhatsApp and regular text/calls. Refused refund request Read more Written February 16, 2023
• framic69 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles city tour Over all this was a good tour. The communication from the provider was not so great. that is why only 3 stars. best part of the tour was the rum factory, where you get to taste 8 types of rum. Beware at the top of the cable car ride there are tons of stairs up and down, so bring water. There is plenty of things to see up top. Read more Written February 13, 2023
• paulbE2486SQ 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles More Bad Than Good! I generally only do reviews when I’ve had an exceptionally great experience or a bad one. Unfortunately, this one falls into the latter category. I have purposefully waited a few days before writing this review because I wanted to be fair and factual. We booked the Full Day Whale Watching Tour in Samana Bay from Punta Cana through Viator tours but the tour operator was Shelting Tours. The Good Part: • We managed to see some of the best whale watching we’ve ever experienced. This lasted about 30-45 minutes and it was up close showing mother and baby and I think we even saw the father at some point. We took some very nice pictures and video so we could relive it later on. • Also, overall, the staff was very friendly. The Bad Part: • Speaking of the boat, it was very nice but certainly overcrowded. There were some people that didn’t even have a seat so they had to stand for most of the trip. We also had a few situations where people were blocking our view, so we missed some of the action. Of all the other boats we saw that day, ours was the most crowded. • There are many different tour packages offering a variety of activities thrown in with the whale watching as well as the duration of the tours. We chose the 8-hour version by Shelting tours that advertised to last about 8 hours and it included transportation on a comfortable air conditioned coach bus, whale watching, and lunch at Bacardi Island and a brief time on Bacardi beach. Some of the other tours ranged from 10-14 hours and included horseback riding, visiting waterfalls and other excursions. We opted for the shorter trip because we simply didn’t want to be gone that long. But here’s how it actually played out... We were picked up at our hotel at around 6:40am. At the security gate, not the lobby as they had promised in the advertisement. This meant we had to get the hotel to give us a ride to the gate. The drive from the hotel to the boat was about 75 miles and since there were several stops and waits along the way, we arrived at the boat dock 2 hours and 45 minutes later. There were stops literally along the side of a major road where the person in charge opened the door, called some names and pointed to another bus pulled off of the road near us… not exactly a comfortable experience for those pulled off and directed onto another bus. The “comfortable” coach bus we were promised was an older bus that seemed to have been designed for children with very narrow and small seats. Every seat was taken, including an extra jump seat by the door. Not the “Comfortable Coach” that was advertised. • When we arrived, we were dropped off at a dirt lot right at water’s edge where garbage was stacked up around at the water line and throughout the lot. They offered a snack of a piece of meat between 2 slices of bread and some coffee. • Poor, poor communication and chaotic and uncoordinated transfers (bus to boat, boat to shore, shore to boat, boat to bus) at every point. Yes, there was a huge language barrier, but also little to no communication or even coordination most of the time. If this is a daily occurrence, print up some basic instructions or pieces of directions in different languages to use. There was a guide that spoke several languages, but I’m not sure he understood what he was saying since he could not really answer questions. • We were supposed to eat lunch at Bacardi Island beach. See their advertisement. Instead, after dropping off some from the group who signed up for one of the longer trips, we were taken by the boat somewhere else (Santa Barbara de Samana, I think) and then ushered to this small local dive where we ate then waited about 30 more minutes for our boat to return. No beach or explanation whatsoever on what was going on. Anyway, we were then picked up by the boat and taken back to Bacardi Island beach. The beach was OK but was a bit crowded with trash laying around. OK now if you are doing the math based on the quoted 8 hours, you are thinking that we are only going to be at this beach for an hour or so. Here’s where it begins to get very sketchy. We were given a free drink ticket and told we would not be picked up from the island until 5:00 - 5:30pm and it’s now 1:15pm. We were in fact picked up at around 5:30pm so at this point the 8-hour tour is already into 10 hours and we’re still a boat ride to get back to the bus and a long bus ride. Anyway, once we arrived back to where the many buses were waiting, nobody was telling you which bus to get on and it was up to you to walk to each bus and check if it was your bus. We spent a good 5-10 minutes in a bit of a panic looking for our bus. We were afraid we would be left behind and we’re 2 hours and 45 minutes from the hotel and it’s getting dark. We finally arrived back at the hotel at 8:45pm. There were some other not so pleasant things that happened, but I think you can get a good sense for how this went. • So, it looks like various tour operators share the bus and boat with other tours and other tour operators. Us signing up for an 8-hour tour didn’t matter since we were lumped in with 12-14 hour tours…they simply stretched the 8 group out to 14 hours. There was no warning they were planning this at any point. There was also a feeling (comments from workers) that they do this all the time, so I don’t think this was a one-off situation. They were in fact saving money (boat and bus transportation as well as labor) by combining all transportation for the two tours. I would steer clear of Shelting Tours and also this 8-hour tour by unless you like unpleasant surprises. Read reviews carefully and verify with the tour operator all the details before you signup and do screen shots of any text communications. Read more Written January 30, 2023

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Full-Day Whale Watching Tour in Samana Bay from Cabeza de Toro provided by Shelting Tours

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Wildlife & Nature

Sea, Salt and Whalesong: Waiting for the Whales in Samaná

Humpback whale and snorkeler in Samaná Bay

Photo: Reinhard Dirscherl / Alamy Stock Photo

Without warning, the mother whale reemerged, pirouetting her entire body out of the water, seemingly just for fun. Utterly enchanted...

One of my favorite childhood picture books, Waiting for the Whales by Sheryl McFarlane, tells the story of an old man who lives alone on a bluff overlooking the sea. He tends his vegetable garden, staring out at the ocean and patiently waiting for a break from his loneliness. Each year, he watches the pod enter the bay and his soul is buoyed by happiness. One year, his estranged daughter arrives for a visit - with his infant grandson in arms. The old man introduces his grandson to the whales, and as the years pass his connection to family is renewed. Ever since reading Waiting for the Whales , the restorative power of whales and the rhythms of the natural world has clung to my imagination.

When I finally got to watch the whales come in, I had recently lost my own grandfather. Would my encounter alchemize my so-called ”lead into gold”, like it did for the grandfather in the tale?

Humpback whale mother and calf in Samaná

Photo: WaterFrame / Alamy Stock Photo

Every year, thousands of humpback whales swim to the Dominican Republic to calve. The best place to see them is Samaná Bay, where protections are in place to ensure the bay remains a sanctuary for the whales. Since the whales have nothing to fear here, they’re delightfully comfortable with boats, offering travelers the rare chance of close encounters.

The Samaná Peninsula is full of natural wonder - rich in sun-soaked white-sand beaches, secluded islands and hidden caves. Centuries ago, pirates camped out in Samaná’s palm-filled forests while out on deep water European and Haitian forces battled for control of the island and its rich resources. As a history-lover and nature-lover, I was lured out to Samaná Bay for my first ever whale-watching adventure.

Humpback whale calf and snorkeler in Samaná Bay

For the best chance to see a whale, you’ll need to get up early. Whales are most likely to surface just after sunrise or around dusk. We arrived at the wharf at 8am to meet our guide,  marine biologist and captain Carlos. Carlos has been working on this same boat for more than 12 years, and knows the seas like the face of an old friend.

After we donned life jackets with two dozen other excited guests, I headed to the prow and readied my iPhone and DSLR. We skimmed out onto the emerald green bay, and the rising sun illuminated a stretch of greenish-blue mountains in the distance. I thought whale-watching would entail lots of waiting, patient twiddling of thumbs and scanning the unbroken surface of the sea, but I was wrong - the action started almost immediately.

No more than five minutes out on the water, I noticed two small boats in the distance. I wondered if they were fishing boats - illegal in the bay during calving season. Then a white dorsal fin flashed and I realised I had caught sight of my first humpback whale. Even that far away, the sheer size of them caught my breath in my throat. Our captain gently revved the motor and headed toward the movement.

Shouting over the whine of the motor, the marine biologist seated next to me tells me that by the time we close the distance the whale will likely have gone down for a deep dive, and we might not see more of them. The gap between us and the pair of whales in the distance narrowed steadily until suddenly, from out of nowhere, an enormous whale surfaced directly beside our boat. The captain shut off the motor and I was overwhelmed by a strong fishy smell. The whale was so massive and so close that I could see its blowhole winking open and closed, and I was fleetingly worried it would flip over our boat with a misplaced gesture. My worry gave way to pure awe as I spotted another smaller whale - it was a mother and her calf. Cameras out, the people onboard were snapping like mad. What an experience for my first whale sighting! After a little while, the mother whale submerged down into the emerald water, her calf following close behind.

Humpback in Samaná Bay

Photo: Avalon.red / Alamy Stock Photo

I had no idea that we were going to be in for such a treat right out of the gate, and it only got better. A few minutes later, again without warning, the mother whale reemerged, pirouetting her entire body out of the water, seemingly just for fun. Utterly enchanted, the passengers collectively let out an appreciative “wow!”. We launched into National Geographic mode, preparing our cameras for what could be the capture of a lifetime. A humpback whale breaching and pirouetting was a dream come true, so I set my camera to sport mode for rapid-fire continuous shooting. She seemed to have boundless energy, this mother whale. Like a ballerina performing to win a prized spot in French Academy, she gave us higher and higher pirouettes. The baby whale mimicked her, thrusting its body nearly completely out of the water and turning midway with a glorious splash.

After a fifteen-minute pause, we were treated to the vision of an even larger whale propelling its magnificent body almost completely out of the water. Our captain told the enthralled audience that it was a male humpback, competing for the attention of a prospective mate. For five minutes we watched, stunned into silence, as he leapt out of the water into the air and slapped his fins and tails with resounding claps.

Like watching the stars in the middle of the desert – I felt so small and at the same time so connected to the underlying mesh that weaves together the natural world. As the humpback bull leapt and clapped, it was a reminder that I was not apart from the natural order, but a part of it. I put away my DSLR, sank into my seat and wrapped the red felt blanket tightly around me, content to live in the moment of awe.

Humpback whale calf in Samaná Bay

Photo: Kike Calvo / Alamy Stock Photo

Watching the whales reminded me that it’s not just where you travel and what you do, but how you take it in that counts. The whales force you to slow down and take it all in, water droplet by water droplet, pirouette by pirouette.

As the motor slowly revved up again, my marine biologist tour companion told me how some whales use sonar and echolocation, and others make flute-like keening calls. I was awed to learn from our guide that their “whale music” can be heard from distances up to 20 miles away.

Walking back to the car it was hard to believe we’d only been out for four hours. On the open sea, time had slowed down, and now the peace I had been seeking had washed up on shore with me.

Afterwards we strolled along the Avenida la Marina to the Museo de las Ballenas (Museum of Whales). The boulevard is lined with restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes, and our stroll was just the right length to enjoy an ice cream cone before it could melt under the hot sun.

Stepping into the coolness of the museum, we saw an awe-inspiring humpback whale skeleton, fully 40 feet long. Taking in the sheer size up close helped to put into perspective the scale and majesty of the living creatures we’d just watched playing out on the nearby sea. Staring up the whale, I knew it was the kind of thing my grandfather would have appreciated.

When you can see the whales in Samaná

Whale-watching season runs January 15 through to mid-March, when thousands of whales arrive with clockwork precision and spend two months giving birth, nursing, and playing with their calves.

Getting there

Getting to Samaná Bay is half the fun - especially if you hire a car and drive the scenic route from Santo Domingo. The picturesque road is about 110 miles long with the last 20 miles right on the coast. It’s in good condition and takes about two and a half hours to cover.

Before hitting the coast at the town of Sanchez, the road winds through rolling hills and lushly-forested valleys, sun-scorched highlands and flat farmlands sprinkled with old sugarcane plantations. Though you won't find formal pit stops or rest areas, you will find fresh water and coffee and small gas stations every half hour or so. Expect to pay a toll at several booths along the way - you’ll need the equivalent of USD $25 in pesos, including some small change.

During the high season, you can jump on a coach or tour bus departing from most major cities. For well-heeled travelers, a small local airport accommodates chartered planes.

How to book

Prices and perks vary greatly. It is recommended to book a week ahead of time, particularly if you want to go with one of the better-known tour operators. Many hotels offer a whale-watching package, or you can book with the operators directly.

Costs range from USD $50-60 per adult, and roughly half that for children. Tours generally last  three to four hours. Unless you opt for a more exclusive tour, expect to share the boat with 50-60 other tour passengers.

• Whale Samaná

For a more exclusive whale-watching adventure, the Barceló Bavaro Grand Resort ’s VIP package includes a visit to the spectacular Limón Waterfalls and a trip to Bacardi Island.

Many smaller hotels in Samaná have connections with their own whale tour operations. They offer all-inclusive packages covering pick-up from your hotel, lunch and a ride home to your doorstep at the end of the day. We chose a middle of the pack tour operator who was experienced but promised fewer than 40 on the boat. If you’re driving yourself, there’s parking near the marina.

Written by Emily Bauman.

Published December 2021.

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• Whale Trips
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Punta Cana Whale Watching

PUNTA CANA WHALE WATCHING

The male humpback whales are driven to mate with the females and pro-create. It is common during the height of the Dominican whale watching season to find large competitive groups (pods) of male humpback whales jousting for the opportunity to mate with a single female. Watching them is an exciting experience, as they wrestle with each other for the position to mate.

The female humpback whales, with new born calves, are particularly vulnerable to the advances of the males during the Punta Cana whale watching season. Sometimes during our whale watch we are mugged (an affectionate term), by the female and her calf as she uses our large yacht to hide under in an attempt to ditch the hopeful males. Other times curiosity causes them to come closer to us. Being mugged on a whale watch in Samana, by humpback whales, is the ultimate whale watching experience where photo opportunities create cherished memories.

Humpback whale watching in Samaná bay and Cayo Levantado

A spectacle of nature not to be missed

Welcome to Samana Bay! From Punta Cana you can visit a lot of exuberant landscapes, but we are sure that nothing will be as impressive as the natural spectacle that we want to propose you today.

In the north of the Dominican Republic, in Samaná Bay, every year humpback whales gather during the mating season . This tourist attraction is one of the most famous of the island, and takes place every year between January and March , when the Caribbean waters are filled with the fins of these cetaceans that you can practically touch with your hands.

The tour not only includes the sighting of one of the largest mammals in the world , but you can also visit Cayo Levantado , better known as Bacardi Island , a place where the crystal-clear water mixes with the golden sand in a picture that is completed with a typical jungle vegetation of these latitudes.

Read on to learn all the details of this unique experience in the north of the country.

Why should you take this tour?

It is not every day that you have the opportunity to see one of the largest mammals in the world . If you add to this that you will visit two natural places of great value such as Cayo Levantado and Limón Waterfall , this excursion is a success.

That the whales come to Samaná is not a simple coincidence. When the northern winter approaches in places like Iceland, Canada or United States, humpback whales begin their journey.

This journey lasts for months, covering thousands of kilometers . Right after this journey is when the whales enter the mating phase . And what better place to conceive life than the waters of Samaná.

There you will see humpback whales of all sizes, making impressive jumps in which the splashing becomes the main protagonist. A natural spectacle that only occurs during a few months of the year in the waters of the Dominican Republic.

And it is that the Caribbean not only falls in love with tourists but also with the humpback whale, which sees perfect conditions in our country for mating.

Duration of excursion: 10 hours

Departure time: 6:20 a.m., hotel pick-up, from monday to saturday from mid-january to the end of march, itinerary of the excursion.

Here is the itinerary of the tour as follows during the our activities:

• 6:20 a.m. – Pick up from your hotel to the meeting point.
• 7:30 a.m. – Departure from the meeting point to La Cañita .
• 9:00 a.m. – Once we arrive at La Cañita, we will have a small breakfast to start the day with energy. Next, we will embark on a catamaran towards the Humpback Whale Sanctuary , very close to Bacardí Island.
• 10:30 a.m. – We reached the peak of the excursion: we began to see the humpback whales that have chosen our waters for mating. You will have the opportunity to listen to their beautiful song very close to our boat.
• 12:00 p.m. – We go to the port of Bahía de Samaná from where we will head to our ranch in the mountains. We will stop to see the typical Dominican house to see the elaboration process that follows the coffee, chocolate, mama Juana and typical cigars.
• Once we arrive at the ranch, we will ride a horse to go to our next destination: Limon Waterfall , a waterfall more than 40 meters high, where we can take a refreshing bath for 30 minutes.
• After this bath, we head back to the ranch on our horse and get on the safari truck to go to the buffet where we will have typical Dominican food for lunch.
• After having lunch, we board our catamaran and head to Cayo Levantado where we will be for an hour and a half. You will have free time to enjoy all the charms of the island and its beach. Explore its jungle, relax under its palm trees and enjoy its flora and fauna .
• 04:00 p.m. – Return to our meeting point to return to La Cañita where the bus will be waiting for us to return to our hotels.
• 05:00 p.m. – End of activity.

* The times indicated above may be subject to change.

Departure times from hotels

Cabeza de toro, zona 1 bávaro, zona 2 bávaro, zona 3 bávaro, úvero alto / macao, punta cana / cap cana, also available the tour without the visit to limón waterfall.

The humpback whale watching tour in Samana can also be booked without going to Limón waterfall.

Enjoy the wonderful natural spectacle offered by the whale sanctuary and then relax with a delicious lunch on the beach, enjoying the charms of Cayo Levantado. Drinks (non-alcoholic) are included.

After watching the whales and tasting the typical gastronomy, we will return to Sabana de la Mar to go back to the hotel, with the memory of having lived one of the most impressive moments that can be experienced in the middle of the ocean.

Whale watching in Samaná and visit to Cayo Levantado

Samana is located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, being one of the most peaceful coasts of the country . Its capital is Santa Bárbara de Samaná, where the Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport is located, one of the most popular entry points to the Dominican Republic.

Travel agencies have this point marked on the map because this is the most important site of the Dominican Republic's Marine Mammal Sanctuary , the Banco de la Plata and Christmas. Every year, the bay is full of humpback whales in mating season, so males and females cause the gestation of small calves in Dominican territory. You will be able to see specimens of up to 15 meters long jumping and swimming in the calm waters of the bay, a spectacle to remember or, also, for photography.

In addition to this spectacle, there are some dream places, such as Bacardi Island . The name will ring a bell, since an advertisement for the famous rum brand was filmed here, which gave a new meaning to what used to be called Cayo Levantado. This small island is perfect for a day trip like the one we propose, where you can discover some of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic surrounded by a thick flora that dominates the entire island.

Contemplate the spectacle of Limón Waterfall

It is not every day that you have the opportunity to see one of the largest mammals in the world . If you add to this that you will visit two natural places of great value such as Cayo Levantado and Limón waterfall , this excursion is a success.

The fact that humpback whales come to the waters of Samaná Bay is not a mere coincidence. When the northern winter approaches in places like Iceland, Canada or the northern United States, humpback whales begin their journey.

This journey lasts for months, covering thousands of kilometers . Right after this journey is when the whales enter the mating phase . And what better place to conceive life than the waters of Samaná Bay.

There you will see humpback whales of all sizes, making impressive jumps in which the splashing becomes the main protagonist. A natural spectacle that only occurs during a few months of the year in the waters of the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean waters not only enchant tourists, but also whales.

What is the best time to see humpback whales in Samana?

Humpback whales do not live in Samana forever. This explains why this experience is only available during a short season that coincides with the months of January and March .

These dates range from the second week of January , when the humpbacks arrive in the bay, until the end of March . If you are in Punta Cana during these months, it is a spectacle not to be missed.

Why do humpback whales come to Samaná this season?

Humpback whales come to Samaná  for a reason: they flee the winter season in the northern Atlantic Ocean , in places like Greenland or Iceland, to the warm waters of the Caribbean.

It is a journey of thousands of kilometers to reach a privileged ecosystem, where krill, their main food, predominates. It is the perfect place for them to mate and gestate their little creatures.

Is it a tour for the whole family?

The humpback whale watching tour is for the whole family, except children under 5 years old .

It is also perfect to do with friends, because after seeing the cetaceans , you will be able to enjoy the paradisiacal Bacardí Island , where many moments will arise to remember and that will remain engraved in the retina forever.

Recommendations and tips for this activity

Any tour operator will tell you that the only thing you need to bring to this excursion is the desire to have a good time. But for the experience to be completely satisfactory, we recommend that you don't forget :

• Sunscreen .
• Sunglasses , to protect our eyes from the sun's rays.
• Money in cash , in case you want to buy souvenirs and leave a tip (mandatory) to the guide who will serve you company during the horseback ride .
• Swimsuit to be able to bathe in Limón Waterfall.
• Cap or hat .
• Photo camera , to photograph unique moments.

Is there free cancellation of the activity?

Yes . You can cancel tours with JackCana Tours for free with 24 hours notice .

After that date, we will not accept any type of cancellation or make any refund, since our team will have the service prepared to guarantee excellent quality in your reservation.

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INTERNATIONAL Reservations Starting November 1st

National & Dominican Republic Residents Reservations Starting November 1st

Whale Watch regulations

Only vessels licensed by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources may whale watch in the National Marine Mammal Sanctuary of the Dominican Republic. Any vessel without a license, found whale watching, will be automatically impounded by the authority of the Dominican Navy.

How you can help, 1. all vessels with permits will have a white flag with the logo of the ministry of the environment and a permit number. (1 to 43), • this permit number will also appear on the hull of the vessel..

2. Ask to see the permit issued by the Ministry of the Environment that will include the name of the vessel, the owner and it’s number.

3. be familiar with and ask your captain and tour guide, to comply with the samana bay whale watch regulations., 4. if you need assistance, are not sure about your vessel or want to report a violation of the regulations, call peter sanchez, sanctuary director, 1-809-467-3411., whale watch regulations, samana bay, dominican republic, 1. only three vessels are allowed to watch any whale or group of whales in the observation area, at one time., 2. whale watch vessels waiting to watch the same whale or group of whales must remain 250 meters behind the observing vessels in the designated waiting area., 3. if there are vessels in the waiting area, observations will be limited to 30 minutes with a whale or group of whales., * vessels in the waiting area, enter the observation area, in order of their arrival..

4. Vessels may approach to within 80 meters (270 feet) of a mother and calf and 50 meters (165 feet) to all other groups of whales.

5. vessels navigating in the whale watch area should not be travelling at more than thirteen knots., * the approach speed, from 250 meters, should be less than 3 knots (idle speed)., 6 . once the observation distance has been reached the engine should be placed in neutral. it is prohibited to turn a vessels engine off while observing whales., 7. no vessel will allow passengers to enter the water with whales. it is prohibited to swim or dive with whales in samana., 8. it is prohibited to watch whales from aircraft or helicopters., * aircraft must remain at altitudes greater than 1000 meters with a horizontal distance of 1000 meters. it is prohibited to fly directly over any species of whale or dolphin., best practices, • never cross in front of a whale, this may change its direction of navigation., • never stop, accelerate or rev the engine of your vessel brusquely, as the resulting sound may startle whales and change their behavior., • always maintain a position slightly behind and parallel to whales moving at the same speed in the same direction..

© Copyright WHALE SAMANA by Kim Beddall

Website by Jon Velas

Whale Tour From Puerto Plata, Sousa, Cabarete North Coast Area

Enjoy a whale tour with legendary Kim Beddall of Whale Samana!

This experience includes pickup and drop-off at all resorts, hotels, and other accommodations.

Child prices starting at $139.99

What to Expect:

We pick you up but you tour with KIM! This tour is in cooperation with the famous Whale Biologist Kim Beddall of Whale Samana. The pioneer of Whale Tours in the Dominican Republic for over 25 years. Truly an experience of a lifetime!

This Whales Tour option includes more time seeing whales than our other options (depending on the whales that day of course).

Why book with Tour Samana With Terry: Kim doesn’t provide transportation for any of her world famous tours. She must concentrate on the whales! We provide pickup and drop off from all hotels in Punta Cana area.

A unique opportunity to observe humpback whales in their natural calving and mating grounds here in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. Listen to the male humpback’s solitary courting song and witness incredible displays of flippering, tail lobbing and breaching by the most active species of whale in the Atlantic. On board, a Marine Mammal Specialist narrating and answering questions.

We have a 3 person daily minimum from Puerto Plata-North Coast area. You may book with less people but we must have a total of 3 or more on any particular day to ensure we can do the tour.

What’s Included:

Each winter the humpback whales make the journey from the North Atlantic to the Samana Bay to give birth to their calves.

Enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains that surround the Samana Bay.

Pass by the crystal blue waters of Cayo Levantado island (sometimes called Bacardi Island).

-Pickup by Kim on Cayo Levantado public dock -Sound system with underwater hydrophone – dead calm sea conditions required -Two modern bathrooms with running water -Souvenirs / Snack bar / Educational material. -Marine Mammal specialist and Scientific data collection on every trip. -Narration in at least two languages and interpreters available on board. -Booklet “Whales of Samana” (Spanish, English, German or French). -Dramamine tablets and other Sickness prevention methods. -Pickup and Drop off from your hotel or villa. -Soft drinks, water, crackers and mints are provided by Kim -Soft drinks, water and lunch are provided by us before heading back to Puerto Plata-North Coast area.

You will need $6us or equivalent to pay the government’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary wristband tax at the dock before you board Kim’s boat.

Cancellation Policy: If we have to cancel and you cannot re-book to another day or tour, we will refund 100%

If you need to cancel: 48 hours or more in advance 100% refund 48-24 Hours in advance 50% refund 24 hours or less No Refund

Rules for Whale Watching: There are some rules for Whale Watching that must be obeyed by each boat. Only 3 boats can be on a pod of whales at a time so we’ll have to wait our turn upon arrival. Once you see whales you will have about 30-45 min before the law requires us to move along. Kim usually moves along to other whales and you end up possibly spending more than the normal time seeing whales within the time schedule for her later tours.

After the Whales: You will return to Cayo Levantado Island where you will have lunch and some time on this beautiful Island Beach.

Please print out the PDF when you purchase. Kim uses the Main Public Dock on Cayo Levantado Island but our guide will help you find Kim’s boat.

5:00 – 7:30 am Picked up in Puerto Plata-Sousua-Cabarete-Rio San Juan (please contact us 1 day before your tour to confirm pickup time.)

8:45 to 9:45 am Arrive at Departure Point – Samana Dock (depending on the start time of Kim’s Tour for that day. In a rare instance it may be necessary to take Kim’s afternoon departure, we will advise)

1:00 to 2:00 pm Buffet lunch on Cayo Levantado Island ( NOTE: subject to minimum participants limits, lunch may be in Samana town)

1:00 pm to 2:00 beach time on Cayo Levantado Island Beach ( NOTE: subject to minimum participants limits)

Whales Tour with Kim lasts 2.5 to 3 hours

2:00 to 3:30 pm Leave Cayo Levantado to our waiting vehicle

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Returned to your hotel

Important Note Regarding Kim's Guarantee:

Kim offers a guarantee that you will see the whales. If you don't see them you are welcome to come back on a day when she has room for you. We are happy to work with you if you do not see whales but in order for us to do so we must be able to coordinate your make up trip to see the whales so that it falls on a day when we have other people, from the same area as you, already going on Kim's tour. Unfortunately we cannot come to pick you up only. We are sorry about this policy but it's the best we can do. Kim makes many trips with empty seats available for you and we do the same with our open seats on transportation that we have already going for her tours. Note: You can bring pets on this tour. Please just let us know ahead of time.

Our Happy Customers

Check out some of our most recent reviews

I had so much fun on my biking experience. I can't wait to book my next trip!

The crew is absolutely amazing. My husband and I had a wonderful time - highly recommend!

John was super accommodating and made me feel so comfortable on my fishing trip. I already booked my next experience!

Had a blast!

Shore Excursions - Cruise Ship Tours

Choose your cruise ship excursion and we will pick you up at the dock!

Whales Punta Cana & Bavaro with Kim Beddall Tour PC#4A

Pickup From All Punta Cana Locations: Whales Tour with World Famous Kim Beddall!

Kim Beddall Whales Tour from Samana Peninsula Hotel #4A

Pickup at all Samana Accommodations. Observe humpback whales in their natural calving & mating grounds in Samana Bay D.R.