Cayo Levantado
The rocky shore frames Cayo Levantado's beach, where you can swim and eat fresh fish on the public side. Access can be restricted when large cruise ships anchor nearby.
Things to do in Punta Cana › Places › Samaná whale watching
Samaná whale watching
whales January to March · 13-hour dayUpdated October 30, 2026 whale rules from the Environment Ministry; museum hours from CEBSE
Samaná Bay lies on the Dominican Republic's northeast coast. Humpback whales gather here from January to March. You can't swim with the whales, and licensed boats follow strict approach limits. From Punta Cana, you can drive toward Santo Domingo and then north to Samaná town. Or go through Miches to Sabana de la Mar and cross by passenger boat. The whale and waterfall tour takes 13 hours, including around 10 hours in transport.
The whales
Samaná: the whale season and visiting the bay
| Whale season | mid-January to the end of March is the whale-watching season. January 15 is the usual starting point. The next season's exact dates haven't been announced. |
| The boats | authorized boats leave Samaná town and Miches. Departures also use Las Cañitas and Sabana de la Mar. Whale Samana leaves the town pier at 10 a.m. from January 15 through February 5 and March 14 through March 31. From February 6 through March 13, its departures are at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. |
| The rules on the water | boats must stay 50 meters from whales and 80 meters from a mother with her calf. Visits last at most 30 minutes per group or 20 minutes with a mother and calf. You can't swim with whales here. |
| Cayo Levantado | the island lies 3 miles or 5 km from Samaná town. You can visit its public beach by boat taxi from Avenida Marina. A hotel occupies the other half. |
| El Limón waterfall | a 130-foot waterfall reached by a forest trail of 1.5 miles or 2.5 km. You can walk or ride a horse; entry costs RD$100.00 per person. |
| Los Haitises | limestone hills rise above the water beside mangroves; caves contain rock art. You reach the park by boat from Samaná or Caño Hondo; entry costs RD$100.00 per person. |
Day trip or stay
- A day from Punta Cana The whale and waterfall day takes 13 hours, with hotel pickup joining the road and boat legs. Keep the whole day free and leave the transfers to your tour.
- Via Miches and Sabana de la Mar The road reaches the bay's south side through Miches. You cross to Samaná on a passenger boat. Your car stays on the south shore.
- A night in Samaná A night in town puts you near the departure pier and separates your road transfer from the whale trip. Use a weekday morning for the Whale Museum.
Map
Where Samaná Bay is
Santa Bárbara de Samaná: 19.2037° N, 69.3390° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap
How to get there
- From Punta Cana by road The drive from Punta Cana airport to Samaná town is 192.9 miles or 310.5 km. It follows the Santo Domingo route onto the Autopista del Nordeste. Transfer companies allow around 4 hours each way.
- Via Miches and Sabana de la Mar Sabana de la Mar is 88.9 miles or 143.0 km by road from Punta Cana airport. A passenger boat crosses from there to Samaná town. You can't take a car aboard, and there's no official timetable to plan around.
- By plane There isn't a scheduled nonstop flight from Punta Cana to El Catey airport. Your day-trip choices are the road transfer or the road and boat route.
- With a tour The Samaná list separates trips across the bay from Los Haitises outings. Some tours stay near Miches and visit the El Limón lagoon instead of the peninsula's waterfall. Your pickup and full day's duration matter more than the destination in the title.
Around the bay
What to see around Samaná Bay
Cayo Levantado
El Limón waterfall
The waterfall drops into a freshwater pool where you can swim. The forest trail crosses hilly ground on the approach to the falls. Wear shoes suited to walking that route.
The town footbridges
The footbridges link Samaná town's waterfront with small islets just offshore. The whale boats leave from the town pier, so an overnight stay puts you near this shore.
Los Haitises
The rock island is part of Los Haitises' limestone landscape. Your boat passes these outcrops on the way through the park. Cave visits add rock art to the route.
With a guide
Samaná tours: whales or a day around the bay
Four trips reach the bay or Los Haitises, ordered by lowest starting price. Each row shows what The price buys and the conditions that affect your day.
| A Cayo Levantado beach day | from $115 per adult | Bacardi Island Excursion with Catamaran, Beach and Lunch 72 reviews, 4.7 · Your beach day takes 11 to 12 hours. Breakfast and lunch are included. Get your hotel's pickup time before you set your alarm. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Los Haitises for families | from $139 per adult for 10 or more | Los Haitises National Park for Families, Lunch & Montaña Redonda 40 reviews, 4.7 · The lowest price needs a booking for 10 to 15 adults. Your Cap Cana or airport-area pickup costs extra. Lunch and the riverboat trip from Caño Hondo are included. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Los Haitises with Montaña Redonda | from $149 per adult | Punta Cana: Los Haitises Park, Montana, Rancho Salto Yanigua 389 reviews, 4.6 · Your 10-hour route includes Los Haitises and Montaña Redonda. Lunch at Rancho Salto Yanigua is included, but your alcoholic drinks cost extra. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Whales and El Limón waterfall | from $169 per adult | Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip 148 reviews, 4.6 · The whale and waterfall trip runs on Mondays and Wednesdays. Friday departures are available too. Your 13-hour day includes lunch and entry fees. You'll ride a horse and need moderate fitness. · dates and prices ↗ |
The catch: Travel takes most of the day. The whale and waterfall trip includes around 10 hours in transport. You don't get 13 hours on the water.
Before you go
- Mid-January to the end of March is the window for whales. Allow 13 hours for the Punta Cana whale and waterfall trip. Carry pesos for entry fees that your package doesn't include.
Tours
Samaná tours and other days from Punta Cana
Samaná, Los Haitises and whale watching
8 tours · from $80
Four of the Samaná list's eight tours stay near Miches. The El Limón lagoon there isn't the waterfall; choose a bay crossing or Los Haitises route for this trip.
Saona Island tours 9 tours · from $79Boats to Saona leave from Bayahibe. Use the Saona list if you want an island beach day with a stop at the natural pool.
Zip line, horseback and Monkeyland 13 tours · from $58The adventure list compares zip lines and horseback trips. You can also choose Monkeyland if you want an activity away from the bay.
Know before you go
Know before you go
Season dates
The usual season runs from January 15 to the end of March. Exact dates for the next season haven't been announced. Your chosen tour may run for a shorter period.
On the water
Whale watching runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three boats may watch a group at once; waiting boats stay 250 meters behind the viewing boats. Engines stay on in neutral during observation. You can't fly a drone here without a Ministry of Environment permit.
Entry fees
The whale sanctuary fee is RD$200.00 per person. El Limón and Los Haitises each cost RD$100.00 per person to enter. These charges are separate from boat hire. Your package may include them, so read its fee inclusions before setting aside cash.
Whale Museum
The Whale Museum on Avenida La Marina in Samaná town opens Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekend visits need arranging at 809-538-2042. Your admission helps fund CEBSE's work monitoring whales in the bay; exhibits include a 40-foot humpback skeleton.
Across the bay
The passenger boat links Sabana de la Mar with Samaná town. It doesn't carry cars. Several crossings run each day, but published schedules disagree. Arrange your return at the pier before committing to a same-day trip.
A long day
The whale and waterfall trip takes 13 hours from Punta Cana. Around 10 hours are transport. You'll also need moderate fitness for the waterfall stop. The trip isn't recommended during pregnancy or for travelers with back or heart problems.
Good to know
People also ask
- When is whale watching season in Samaná?
Whale watching runs from mid-January to the end of March. Humpbacks come from the North Atlantic to mate and give birth. You need a boat authorized for the season. Exact dates for the next season haven't been announced.
- How do you get from Punta Cana to Samaná?
You can drive via the Santo Domingo route or travel through Miches to Sabana de la Mar. From Sabana de la Mar you cross the bay by passenger boat. A tour combines the road and boat transfers with your chosen stops.
- How far is Samaná from Punta Cana?
Samaná town is 192.9 miles by road from Punta Cana airport. The measured route is 310.5 km via the Santo Domingo side. Transfer companies allow around 4 hours each way, before you add the time at your destination. Your resort's location changes the route.
- Is there a ferry to Samaná?
Yes, a passenger boat crosses between Sabana de la Mar and Samaná town. From Punta Cana you first travel by road through Miches. Your car can't make the crossing. Get the day's price and departure times at the pier.
- How close can boats get to the whales in Samaná?
Boats must stay at least 50 meters from whales. The minimum rises to 80 meters for a mother and calf. Only three boats can watch a group at once. Your boat gets at most 30 minutes with a group or 20 minutes with a mother and calf.
- What is Cayo Levantado?
Cayo Levantado is a small island in Samaná Bay, also called Bacardi Island. Boat taxis take you from Samaná town to its public beach. A hotel occupies the other half. Cruise ship calls can restrict your visit.