Samaná Bay
Samana, Dominican Republic, 32000
Samana Bay is the largest bay in the country, located in the northeast Dominican Republic, with the Samana Peninsula to the north and Los Haitises National Park along its southern shores. Known for migrating humpback whales in the winter, Samana Bay provides access to pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and Taino archeological sites.
The basics
One of the most popular activities in Samana Bay is whale watching, with thousands of humpback whales migrating to the bay to mate and give birth in the winter. Numerous whale-watching boat excursions are available during the winter. Some tours include a stop at Cayo Levantado, El Limón waterfall, or Los Haitises National Park, which can all be visited at other times of the year. Tours run from most major cities in the Dominican Republic, including Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata.
Things to know before you go
Most tours around Samana Bay, including whale-watching tours, depart from the city of Samana.
Don’t forget your camera, especially if you are going on a whale-watching tour.
While day tours are the most popular whale-watching tours, live-aboard tours are also available.
Samana Bay is remote, and some tours take 10 to 12 hours.
How to get there
Samana Bay is located on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. The closest airport is El Catey International Airport (AZY, or Juan Bosch International Airport), around 28 miles (45 kilometers) away from Samana. Cruises also dock near Cayo Levantado in the winter, while sailboats can dock at Puerto Bahia Marina. Tours to Samana Bay typically include transfers.
When to get there
High season in the Dominican Republic runs from December to April, which coincides with the winter humpback whale watching season in Samana Bay, with peak whale watching season between January and March, and tours are plentiful during this time. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and high winds and rainstorms are likely.
Samana Peninsula
To the north of Samana Bay, the Samana Peninsula is known for long stretches of pristine and remote beaches, including Playa Bonita and Playa Rincon. The largest town is Santa Barbara de Samana (usually called just Samana), but other options include Las Galeras and Las Terrenas, known for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Other popular destinations include Cayo Levantado (also known as Bacardi Island) and El Limón waterfall.
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