punta cana whale watching excursions

Things to do in Punta Cana

Cayo Levantado Tour from Punta Cana

• Children 3-11

This whale-watching excursion from Punta Cana takes you off the coast of the Dominican Republic to observe humpback whales in the wild, making it a fantastic choice for nature lovers and stops at Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island).

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Included/Excluded

• Roundtrip transportation
• Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Tour Itinerary

Information.

This whale-watching excursion takes you off the coast of the Dominican Republic to observe humpback whales in the wild, making it a fantastic choice for nature lovers and first-time tourists. You'll sail around Samana Bay continuously looking for whales mating and breeding their calves, getting as close as possible without disturbing them. Lunch is included in your tour, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off in Punta Cana. The Bay of Samaná attracts humpback whales on a regular basis. From mid-January to mid-April each year, these massive mammals leave the arctic to mate and give birth in a protected cove off the Dominican Republic's east coast. Combine two of the Dominican Republic's top attractions—migrating humpback whales and the idyllic Cayo Levantado (also known as Bacardi Island) on a single tour. Take a boat cruise through the Samana Bay to see the whales jumping and slapping their fins, then retire to Cayo Levantado for a buffet lunch and open bar.

Tour Highlights

• Witness some of the most majestic creatures on earth
• Watch whales mate, feed, and frolic
• Have insights into the whale behavior
• Explore a cultural experience unlike any other
• Learning how they behave in their natural habitat
• Enjoy some amazing Dominican food

Questions, or Group Options? Contact us below!

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Authentic experiences & recommendations

Whale watching 2024 in the Dominican Republic – how to see the whales in Punta Cana & Samaná

The whale watching season 2024 in the Dominican Republic is approaching, hence it is time to plan this unique excursion for your vacation. To find the best whale watching tour from Punta Cana, Samaná, Santo Domingo, Bayahibe, Puerto Plata, Boca Chica or elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana Travel Blog has compiled this guide with all the information you need to know before booking a whale watching excursion in the Dominican Republic. Each year between January and March the mating of the humpback whales in the Samaná Bay is one of the most important not-to-miss highlights in the entire Dominican Republic – it is actually one of the most impressive natural attractions you can find in the country. For all questions you might have, check out this ultimate guide for whale watching in the Dominican Republic- all based on our own experiences.

Whale watching excursion from Punta Cana on your own

Whale watching excursion directly from the port of samaná / on your own.

Whale watching is one of the most exciting activities in the area. To check out more amazing things to do in Punta Cana, continue reading here . Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? If so, check out our comprehensive Punta Cana Excursion Guide with the most exciting 40+ activities for your vacation.

Completely UPDATED: December 2023

What’s new in 2024 for whale watching in the Dominican Republic?

Get Ready! The 2024 season for whale watching in the Dominican Republic is starting, hence you should secure your tickets now! Whale watching from Punta Cana (and Samana, Bayahibe, Santo Domingo, etc.) can be booked now for tours starting from the 15th of January 2024 onwards.

The cheapest price in 2024 for a whale-watching tour in the Dominican Republic is 130 USD – check out this tour here * . However, you might want to invest a bit more to get the best bang for your buck. This tour here gets great reviews * and is only a few dollars more.

Most of the Dominican Republic whale-watching excursions in 2024 are operating from the 15th of January until the 31st of March. Find out more details about the whale-watching season in Punta Cana below.

What else is hot for 2024? What most people don’t know is that you can get a private whale-watching tour from Punta Cana for very little money. With already 4 people you get the same price for a private excursion with private transfers compared to a big group tour. This is an amazing deal you shouldn’t miss – have a look at this private group offer here* . And even if you travel as a couple a private excursion might be worth it to avoid long hotel pick-ups and large boats.

Quick overview: the best whale watching excursions

There are many whale watching tours in the Dominican Republic out there on the internet and it might be hard to spot the difference. To make it easier for you, we have put together a quick overview of the best whale watching excursions 2024 in each category – it doesn’t matter if you are looking for the cheapest whale watching in Punta Cana, a VIP experience by plane or for a tour from Samaná. For more details continue reading the article below.

(mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table)

Still too much information? If you don’t want to read at all and just want to book the best excursion from Punta Cana for whale watching in the Dominican Republic, check out this tour here *.

 If arriving from other destinations in the Dominican Republic, whale-watching (e.g. from Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo or Boca Chica) is possible as well. There are more explanations further below in this article, but in case you’re only looking for the best tour to book, check out the following table.

When is the whale watching season in the Dominican Republic?

 Generally spoken, the Samaná whale watching season in the Dominican Republic lasts from January to March. Interestingly enough, when you browse through the internet, you find different dates as of when whale watching excursions from Punta Cana or in Samaná are operated. Some start as early as the 15th of December but finish already on 15th of March, others only start on the 15th of January but have their tours running until the 31st of March, some even until mid-April. These differences seem weird as all the tours are operated into the same territory of the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, the Bay of Samaná.

 According to my experience from selling customized vacation packages to clients for 5 years and working closely together with many whale watching tour operators (including having been on several of their excursions), December seems quite early to me and I would not book a tour in this month, as the chance that it gets canceled is pretty high.

 If you book your whale watching excursion * between the 15th of January and 25th of March , you get the best time for whale watching in the Dominican Republic. During these days your tour definitely takes place and won’t get canceled (as long as the weather permits), it doesn’t matter if you start from Punta Cana, Santo Domingo , Bayahibe or Samaná.

 Everything before or after those dates, so before mid of January or after the end of March, is subject to the whale watching conditions in the year of your vacation as the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic don’t have a calendar, so they might arrive already late December or only after some days in January. 

 The more you stick to the best time for whale watching in Punta Cana and Samaná (15th of January until 25th of March), the better are your chances of many whale sightings. Even there might be a dozen whales at the end of December or the beginning of January (which will be hard to spot), you have much better chances of spotting humpback whales in the main whale watching season when there are hundreds to thousands of whales in the Samaná Bay.

 This being said, your chances of seeing whales on an excursion are nearly at 100% when sticking to those dates, as the Samaná whales are usually easy to spot.

What kind of whales can you see in the Dominican Republic?

 The vast majority of whales in the Dominican Republic are humpback whales, one of the largest mammals in the world . The adults can get as big as 52 feet and weigh as much as 30 tons. You can imagine that it is a true spectacle to watch these giants playing in the open ocean, especially when their large fins – which make up to a third of their body lengths – are splashing into the water. The other particular characteristic of the humpback whale is that it comes to the surface to breathe, which makes it particularly interesting to watch the whales in their daily life during a whale watching excursion in the Dominican Republic.

 The humpback whales are coming to the warm waters of the Samaná Bay each year, as the conditions of the Caribbean are much more favorable for breeding and the birth of their babies. Here in Samaná, the babies – which get born with a bodyweight of just 1 ton – have sufficient time to eat enough and get strong to follow the mother on the return trip to the colder waters. 

 The humpback whales in the Dominican Republic travel up to 16.000 miles (!) each year for migration purposes, that’s more than 10 times the distance from New York to Punta Cana. 

 Because of the special relationship between the mother and their baby, you often can see them together when going on a whale watching tour from Punta Cana in the Samaná Bay. Observing them swimming together in the ocean is a particularly heartwarming moment.

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The best-reviewed whale watching excursions in Punta Cana

As mentioned earlier, there are tons of Samaná Bay whale watching tours out there, especially when staying in Punta Cana. If you want to make sure you have a pleasant experience, it pays out to check the review from past travelers. Even though the itineraries are usually similar, the quality of the guides, the level of the organization and the overall experience is usually better at tours with a good track record. Therefore, the following overview shows you the best whale watching excursions from Punta Cana according to the reviews.

Private tours for whale watching in the Dominican Republic

For a particular exclusive experience, you can also book a private whale watching tour in the Dominican Republic. This means, you have the entire boat for you and get your preferred seat. You are also more flexible in terms of starting time, pick-up time and all the other details of the tour. Furthermore, you can decide how long you want to stay on Cayo Levantado or if you don’t want to go at all.

Usually, private whale watching tours are operated in much smaller vessels which means on the one hand that they are more flexible and you feel even closer when seeing the humpback whale in the Samaná Bay, but on the other hand, you might feel the waves even more just in case the ocean is a bit choppy. However, in the end, it is usually a great experience as the boat can adjust to your needs and preferences.

Currently, the following private whale watching excursions are available: – private whale watching from Punta Cana * – private whale watching from Santo Domingo * – private whale watching from Samaná * – private whale watching from Boca Chica and Juan Dolio * – private whale watching from La Romana and Bayahibe * – private whale watching from Sabana de la Mar *

Also from other regions in the Dominican Republic private whale watching excursions are possible, but the ones mentioned above are currently those which are available for direct online booking.

Another advantage of private whale watching tours is that you don’t have to pick up passengers from other hotels, which makes the whole arrival process to the ports much smoother and quicker. Your group will also be significantly smaller (just you!), guaranteeing a much better experience.

Rules and regulations for whale watching in the Dominican Republic

 The humpback whales were once an endangered species, especially in the 60s, when their population dropped by 90%. They still have to be protected and that’s why there are rules and regulations set by the Dominican Republic to ensure sustainable tourism and a non-harming approach to these mammals. Some of these rules are:

– A maximum of 3 boats is allowed for watching a group of whales at the same time. All other boats must wait at least 250 meters behind. – A boat is allowed to watch a group of whales for a maximum of 45 minutes. If other vessels are waiting, it is limited to 30 minutes. – There is a minimum distance to be respected, a boat can approach a group of whales not closer than 50 to 80 meters. – Vessels need to be sensitive with their engine when whale watching, so the engines should be put in neutral. – It is forbidden to watch whales from the air (so no helicopters or airplanes close to the breeding grounds). – It is forbidden to swim or snorkel with or close to the whales in the Samaná Bay.

In other words, you can’t swim with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic.

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 Furthermore, as the waters of Samaná are located in a dead-end (water-wise), there is no through-traffic of any other boats which further protects the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic and makes the entire tour a very eco-friendly excursion from Punta Cana . It is the best animal watching opportunity you will have in Punta Cana, especially considering that most of the animals in other tours in Punta Cana (those we don’t mention here on Punta Cana Travel Blog) are living in captivity, such as the dolphins, monkeys or stingrays. Of course, if you are traveling on a road trip through the Dominican Republic there are other chances of seeing animals in their natural habitats, such as the flamingos or crocodiles in the Southwest or the manatees on the north coast.

 Interestingly enough, while in tourism money often counts more than sustainability (particularly in the Dominican Republic) and regulations are usually just treated as recommendations (and are not enforced if you pay a little “tip”), the whale watching rules are pretty strictly enforced , which is absolutely supportable. If tour operators don’t have a Samaná Bay whale watching license, they get pulled out pretty quickly and if they don’t respect the distancing rules concerning the whales, they get fined and might lose their license. This is why whale watching in the Dominican Republic is one of the very few animal encounters in the Dominican Republic I can recommend.

 All of these rules guarantee that you see a high amount of mammals when going on a whale watching excursion in the Dominican Republic. 

Where can you go whale watching in the Dominican Republic?

 The Dominican Republic has two of only a few breeding grounds in the entire North Atlantic. One of those is the much more difficult accessible area of Silver Banks between the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands. To go on a whale watching tour here, you need to take an expensive 7-day-cruise-expedition, which I have described here a little bit further , as it is allowed to swim with the whales in Silver Banks.

 The second spot for whale watching in the Dominican Republic is the Bay of Samaná, which you can reach on day trips from Punta Cana , Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata . 99% of all tourists are going to whale watch in this area as it is much easier accessible and doable as an excursion. 

 Both areas are fully protected by the Dominican government and the rules as outlined above are applying. 

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Whale watching from Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

Whale watching excursions by bus and boat from punta cana.

  Whale watching by bus and boat is the most popular excursion in Punta Cana when it comes to observing these spectacular mammals. They offer the best price-value-ratio and are usually leaving every day during whale watching season (see above for the best time for Samaná whale watching). You can check out the departure days right here *.

 If you are traveling from April to December – outside of whale watching season – you can continue reading here about the excursion to Salto El Limón , as this is kind of a substitute excursion with similar areas during this season.

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  Most excursions from Punta Cana are not including just the whale watching in the Samaná Bay, but also a visit to Cayo Levantado, which is widely known as Bacardi Island. Other Samaná whale watching tours also include the visit of the waterfall Salto El Limón . Hence you can combine this amazing nature experience with some relaxing time at a gorgeous beach on the Samaná peninsula . On the other side, be prepared for a long day out of your resort as most tours are lasting between 10 and 12 hours, some even up to 14 hours if you do several stops on other all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana before heading north.

 Most whale watching excursions from Punta Cana start in the morning between 6 to 7 am, 07:30 am if you are lucky. 😉

 You board the bus and head northwestward on a scenic but not spectacular journey. You drive along a newly built road between the mountains of the Cordillera Oriental (which is also home to Montaña Redonda ) and the coastline, passing small villages and abundant rice terraces. The journey from Punta Cana by bus takes around 1.5-2 hours.

One of the small ports between Miches and Sabana de la Mar is your destination (which one depends on the tour operator you book, usually it is Miches itself or Las Cañitas), where you change over to your boat. The boat, usually a medium-sized vessel with a capacity for 40 to 100 passengers, brings you closer to the Samaná peninsula, where most of the breeding grounds of the whales can be found. Depending on the wind and the waves, the ride might be choppy so take some seasickness pills with you in case you are sensitive to these influences.

Once you are in the center of the Samaná whale watching area, your captain and your guide are observing the area to spot some of the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic. This might take a few minutes but once spotted, you usually can see several of them – either different groups acting differently or some whales playing with each other. Often you can also see a mother with their baby swimming together or two males splashing with their fins to attract the females. If you are lucky, you even see those big mammals right next to your vessel.

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 Usually, the whole whale watching “action” lasts around 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the sightings, the other boats and the remaining itinerary. That’s the time you fully spend within the observing area of the humpback whales. Afterwards, you head towards Cayo Levantado, the island which is already part of Samaná and features a picturesque beach . Here you can relax, have lunch, drink some tropical cocktails and swim in the turquoise ocean. Were you dreaming of drinking a Piña Colada right from a fresh Caribbean pineapple? Here on Cayo Levantado, you can get it. Just note that on some days Bacardi Island might be crowded, especially if there are cruise ships at the port of Samaná.

 After approx. 3 hours on Cayo Levantado you board your boat again, head back to the mainland (a ride of about 30 minutes) and change to your bus for the remaining 1.5-2 hours to Punta Cana. 

Some excursions also include the visit to the waterfall Salto El Limón . In this case, you have a much shorter time at Cayo Leventado to relax, usually not more than an hour (or none at all, as some tours are skipping Bacardi Island completely). The trip to Salto El Limón is first done by bus or safari truck (approx. 30 minutes per way) before you mount a horse for a ride to the picturesque waterfall. Once you have arrived at the waterfall, you can have a dip into the natural swimming pool and take stunning photos before heading back. Please note that the horses are usually in a bad shape and the horse guides completely rely on tips from the tourists, they don’t get paid. Read more about this topic here in this article about Salto El Limón – and also why I wouldn’t recommend the horseback ride, you better opt for the hike instead.

 When booking your excursion, I would recommend picking a non-cruise day, as otherwise, the beach of Cayo Levantado is very crowded. You can check the cruise ship days of Samaná here *. Furthermore, check that your tour includes lunch (which is usually the case). 

 Prices for whale watching from Punta Cana usually range from 130 USD to 200 USD. If you book here you get onboard with a recommended tour operator *. You can also check the table further above, listing the whale watching excursions from Punta Cana with the best reviews.

Whale watching excursions by plane and boat from Punta Cana

 Are you tired of riding a bus for such a long time, including the pick-up and drop-off from various hotels? Then a whale watching excursion from Punta Cana by plane might be the best option for you. Instead of the bus ride along the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic and the boat trip across the Samaná Bay, you board a plane and fly directly to Samaná, where it is just a 10-minute hop from the airport to the port. This port is much closer to the Samaná Bay whale watching area than the port you use when coming from Punta Cana by land, so the boat ride will also be much shorter. Interested? Then check out the departure days here *. Same as for all whale watching excursions, these tours are only available between January and March.

 The biggest advantages of those tours by plane are the much quicker travel time to the Samaná Bay as well as that you go in much smaller groups – usually, the planes are fitting between 8 and 19 passengers. This reduces the tour time significantly, giving you more quality time in your hotel, less time in the bus and more focus on the highlight of this excursion – the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic.

 After the Samaná Bay whale watching, you also head to Cayo Levantado to relax and enjoy the tropical surrounding. After this quality beach time – instead of heading back 30 minutes by boat and around 2 hours by bus – you just have a 10-minute boat ride, a short 10-minute airport transfer and afterwards a 20-30-minute scenic flight to Punta Cana, where you can admire the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic from above. That’s another big advantage of these tours as the views are amazing.

Air Excursions from Punta Cana are obviously more expensive than by land, but it is worth to check out the best prices here *.

 You’d like to organize your own whale watching excursion from Punta Cana because you don’t like long bus rides or big groups? Well, this is a bit difficult. Most tours for individual travelers are only starting at the port of Samaná, which is between 4-5 hours driving away. If you’d like to do this, please read on in my article about Salto El Limón how you can organize a road-trip or multi-day itinerary from Punta Cana to Samaná .

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Alternatively, if you have a car rental in Punta Cana, you can head up to Miches respectively Sabana de la Mar and take the whale-watching boat directly from there. You not only have a much quicker transfer, you mostly also don’t have the stop at Cayo Levantado which means that this is the perfect option if you’re looking for whale-watching just as a half-day excursion.

Whale watching from Samaná (Dominican Republic)

 You are already in Samaná or on vacation in Las Galeras or Las Terrenas? Congratulations, you completed the majority of the journey and are so close seeing the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic.

Guided whale watching excursions from your hotel

 If you are staying in a hotel without a car rental , I recommend a whale watching tour which includes pick-up and drop-off, so you don’t have to worry about anything. It doesn’t matter if you stay in Las Terrenas or Las Galeras, from both beach towns it’s approximately 30 (Las Galeras) to 60 minutes (Las Terrenas) driving time until you reach the port of Santa Barbara de Samaná, where your whale watching excursion by boat is going to start.

 From here, it is a similar tour than the option by air from Punta Cana – you have a 10-20-minute boat ride until you reach the observing area of the whales. Once there, you also spend around 60 to 90 minutes looking for the humpback whales, seeing them jumping or accompanying them on their journey through the open ocean.

P.S.: My photos just show 10% of what you can actually see from the whales. Sometimes it’s just difficult to take photos, especially as I am only traveling with my smartphone camera. The actual encounters during your whale watching excursion in Samaná are much more impressive and a lot closer than this photo.

 Most of the tours also include the stop at Cayo Levantado, where you can relax, swim, sunbath and eat. In the afternoon you head back to the mainland of Samaná and get shuttled back to your hotel. The biggest difference when staying in Samaná compared to Punta Cana: your tour only lasts around 6-8 hours instead of 10 to 12 hours, so you spend much less time on the bus. Tours run daily during whale watching season and the best time to go for an excursion is the same as explained initially: mid of January until the end of March. Check out the available departures here *.

 The price of those tours is usually between 75 USD and 120 USD per person. You can book with recommendable tour operators here *. For a cheaper option and if staying in Las Terrenas, you can also check if the departure dates of this tour operator * are fitting to your travel dates.

 You are based in Samaná or elsewhere along the North Coast and have your own rental car ? In this case, you can head straight to the city of Santa Barbara de Samaná, the home base of nearly all whale watching tour operators. Park your car at the oceanfront promenade (the “Malecón”) of the city and head straight to one of the offices from those tour operators. Moto Marina, Whale Samaná or Ozeanic Caribbean are a few operators I have experience with and I can recommend. Most tours are starting in the morning between 09:00 and 09:30, sometimes there are also afternoon tours starting at noon or 1 pm.

 The whale watching excursions starting directly from Santa Barbara de Samaná are similar to the ones described in the section above, just without transfer. The only difference is that Cayo Levantado is optional for most tours – so if you want, you can just have the whale watching experience and are back to explore other highlights of the Samaná peninsula by noon or 1 pm.

Whale watching in the Dominican Republic (from other locations)

Whale watching in the Dominican Republic is also possible from many other locations in the country. This is particular due to the Bay of Samaná being reachable from nearly every vacation spot in 2-3 hours. It doesn’t matter if you are located in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Cabarete or Bayahibe – a port where whale watching boats are leaving is always reachable within 100 miles or less.

The following table shows you from which cities in the Dominican Republic whale watching is possible. Click on the button to see more information about prices, availability and departure dates for these whale watching tours from Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo, Bayahibe, Las Terrenas, Boca Chica and more.

My experiences with whale watching tours from Punta Cana and Samaná

 Since my first tour in the Samaná Bay, I did the whale watching tour three times, among them two excursions from Punta Cana . Organization, transfers and boat rides were spotless all the time and I am always surprised how many whales you can actually see. 

 I would say that you have a 99% guarantee to see some (a lot!) whales in the Dominican Republic. And if not, don’t worry, most tour operators give you a second tour for free if you haven’t seen humpback whales on your first occasion. 

 Furthermore, I am always stunned by how close you can see the whales. They are sometimes jumping out of the water just a few meters in front of the boat.

 In total, I would say that I had around 15-20 sightings on average on each tour, maybe even more. That’s a pretty good opportunity I would say. 🙂

 So make sure you seize the chance and book a whale watching excursion during your Punta Cana vacation *, of course only if you are visiting the Dominican Republic during whale watching season (January to March).

 The visit on the island of Cayo Levantado is a nice add-on to explore a different beach than the area around your accommodation. Especially if you go on days when there are no cruise ships, it is also not too crowded. If you already went on the excursion to Isla Saona , you might not be too excited, as Cayo Levantado can’t compete with Isla Saona. 

 I never did the whale watching excursion by plane * but would recommend doing so if money is not too much an issue. Especially the views from the air on the mountains of the Cordillera Oriental are amazing ( I was lucky enough to fly the same approach on commercial flights a couple of times) and you also get a bird’s eye view of the Samaná Bay. Furthermore, those groups are smaller and more exclusive.

Whale watching season lasts from January to March. The best chances to see the humpback whales in the Dominican Republic are between the 15th of January until the 25th of March.

Prices for Samaná whale watching vary depending on where you start your tour. From Punta Cana and other destinations in the Dominican Republic, prices are usually between 130 USD and 200 USD. If you start right from Samaná, prices range from 65 USD to 95 USD per person.

Samaná whale watching tours are best booked in advance. By using the online excursions presented above, you can take advantage of getting the best prices and booking the best-reviewed tours.

Yes, most whale watching tours include a visit of Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island). Check the tour description for details.

No, swimming with the whales in the Dominican Republic is not allowed.

The best time for whale watching in the Dominican Republic is from January until March. Usually, you have the best chances to see humpback whales from mid-January to mid-March.

You can see giant humpback whales in the Dominican Republic from January to March. The easiest to see them is if you head on a whale-watching excursion. The article above explains how to book them, depending on where you’re staying.

Every year in the first quarter of the year, humpback whales can be seen in the Dominican Republic. They are migrating into the bay of Samaná, where they’re giving birth to their babies. This is when you can go on excursions for whale watching in the Dominican Republic.

 What do you think about whale watching in the Dominican Republic? Are you interested to go? Have you seen humpback whales on other occasions? What was your favorite encounter? Let me know in the comments, I am happy to hear about it. 

SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.

Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.

ALSO WORTH READING:

The ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary for road trips – 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks and more

Scape Park Punta Cana review – a tropical theme park with zipline and blue lagoon in Punta Cana

How to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata (and vice versa) – all the options you can consider

Princess Family Club Bavaro – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana family all-inclusive resort

4 thoughts on “Whale watching 2024 in the Dominican Republic – how to see the whales in Punta Cana & Samaná”

Whales are very interesting to me. I’m thinking of going to Dominican one day and watching them.

Yes, whale watching in the Dominican Republic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and popular among many travelers. Chris

What are the chances to see whales from the shore when residing in Semana bay? What are the chances of seeing whales on the whale watching tours over the Christmas period? Regards, T

Hi TH, hmm, Christmas time is still pretty early – I would rate the chances to see whales in the Samaná Bay at not more than 20%. I hope this helps – let me know if you have further questions. Chris

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Whale Watching and Bacardi Island

$ 199.00 Original price was: $199.00. $ 159.00 Current price is: $159.00.

Available January 2025! Is the Dominican Republic the best place to Whale Watch in the world? It is! And we’re going to show you why. Whale Watching by Bus from Punta Cana to Samana is several excursions rolled into one: Bus ride, Boat Ride, visit to an offshore key and, of course, Whale Watching. Only have time for ONE tour? Then this is it.

Book Now No Risk

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• Reviews (3)

Here’s What You Get

Did you know the World Wildlife Fund considers the Dominican Republic one of the best places in the world to Whale Watch?

It is! Keep on reading so we can tell you why.

For the past millennia, Humpback Whales have been visiting the Dominican Republic for just TWO months out of each year. So, if you’re here from January 20 – March 30 you lucked out!

Will you ever have another chance to Whale Watch in your lifetime?

Not like this you won’t. Whale Watching is unequaled in the Dominican Republic because…

• We’re not talking about dozens, scores, or even hundreds of Humpback Whales. We’re talking thousands of them! Yes, thousands of whales travel from the frigid North Atlantic ocean to the warm waters of Samana Bay. Humpback Whales are the Dominican Republic’s original snow bird tourists!
• Humpback Whales don’t come South to chill out. This journey is to give birth and to mate in Samana’s protected cove. Not only will you see full-grown adult Humpback Whales (some can be 50 feet long and weigh 8,000 pounds) but also new born calves following their mothers. Is that cool or what?
• Did we mention it’s mating season? Male Humpbacks want to make babies! It’s typical to see large competitive groups (pods) of male Humpbacks jostling for the chance to mate with a single female. That means plenty of pectoral fin slaps, tail slaps and even breaches!

What can we say, it’s the call of nature…welcome to the “Motel” of the Caribbean.

So we’ve explained why Whale Watching is unique but that’s not all! Our Whale Watching excursion from Punta Cana to Samana By Bus is a lot MORE.

Did we mention you also…

• Hop on a comfy bus from Punta Cana to the sleepy fishing village of Miches. You’ll transverse the scenic Oriental Mountain range to reach the southern shores of Samana Bay.
• Board a spacious boat to cross Samana Bay. Admire the open water and unforgettable scenery with mountain ranges to the North and South.
• Sit down for a traditional Dominican lunch of rice, beans, meat, salad, fruit and sweets. It’s all served at a tranquil country ranch in Samana’s pristine, tropical wilderness. No one goes home famished!
• Set foot on Cayo Levantado – more famously known as Bacardi Island. Some 300 years ago it was the hiding place of British Pirate Jack Bannister but now this sandy sanctuary is one of the country’s most coveted offshore keys with powdery sands and lapping turquoise waters.

RECAP: Bus Ride, Boat Ride, Whale Watching and your toes in the sand of the renowned Cayo Levantado Island.

If you can do only ONE excursion while on vacation from January to March, Whale Watching By Bus from Punta Cana to Samana should be it!

You have only TWO months a year to admire these majestic mammals of the ocean. Obviously, space is incredibly limited so book ASAP to reserve your spot.

It’s Whale Watching people! Time to check a BIG one off your bucket list.

Don’t miss the BUS to Samana!

What’s Included

• Ground transport
• Professional Guide
• Refreshments
• Lunch at country ranch

What to Bring

• Bathing suit
• Bug Repellent

This tour is ONLY available January 20 – March 30. We recommend you bring along something to munch on as the tour is a long day.

3 reviews for Whale Watching and Bacardi Island

Edward (verified purchase) – April 7, 2023

The whale-watching trip was seamlessly organised. The plane saved a lot of travel time and allowed to enjoy longer the whales and the El Limon waterfall. Strongly recommend.

Braylen (verified purchase) – February 26, 2023

I’ve read the reviews before we purchased our tickets. I’ve found that everyone has pretty much the same advice, which I agree with now. Follow the advice before you go on board in terms of things to bring and possible sea sickness. Keep in mind, everyone will have different experiences! Ours was amazing! We went with our son on January 28th. It happened to be a calm, beautiful day. Our son is obsessed with whales, so we were worried if we did not see any whales. They advertise that they guarantee whales. We saw so many humpback whales that day, as well as a huge pod of dolphins following the boat. Then we got the real treat…a humpback calf appeared alongside the boat. That was the most amazing site I’ve seen. Enjoy, this trip was worth it!

Tyler (verified purchase) – February 6, 2023

Well worth the money!

Today was absolutely incredible. Whale watching excursion took us up close to some of the largest animals on the planet!

We drove an open bus through the local cities of Samana D.R. and walked through a forrest to a local waterfall. We then took another boat to a small island with the most gorgeous beach I’ve ever seen.

We were able to eat some of the local fare, saw just about everyone riding motorcycles, and got to see a glimpse of life in another country. I’m blown away and this place has exceeded all expectations

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

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• Whale Trips
• Whale Watching by Plane
• Whale Watching by Bus
• About Whale Watching

Whale Watching Punta Cana

Company success.

We believe our success has been formed by the following goals:

• Keep competitive prices, and more often than not to be the cheapest in the market.
• Fast response times, we always aim to respond to our customer requests and orders in a timely manner.
• Adaptive product line, we will always add new products and tours depending on our clients' needs.
• We hope you will look to Punta Cana Whale Watching the next time you are traveling to Punta Cana!

Why Punta Cana Whale Watching?

• Outstanding Customer Service We have a 70% repeat client rate and 40% of our business comes from referrals. We go out of our way to make sure your clients are taken care of.
• Support of the local community Punta Cana Whale Watching donates proceeds of every excursion sold online. These funds are then sent to two local organizations making a difference in the lives of children and abandoned animals in the Punta Cana region.
• Value We work with multiple tour companies and vendors to insure you receive the best value and service available.
• Security Health and safety is our number one priority. We perform tour inspections multiple times per year to insure they maintain the quality our clients are looking for.
• Passion We love the Dominican Republic and are passionate about what we do. Whether we're providing you with transporting, or taking you on a excursion, we want you to have a positive experience.

Full-day Whale watching Tour in Samana Bay from Uvero Alto

• round trip 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 50 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• 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
• sierrrae 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Top tier Experience! Loved our tour guide Alex and our driver Elvis. Top tier experience and they love to teach you the coolest spots and feels like they are really genuine and kind gentlemen! Read more Written January 24, 2023
• U1208UYjoshuas 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Grumpy Person Impressed! I’m not one easily impressed or care about sight seeing excursions, but was elated by the end of it. The sights were beautiful. The food fantastic, better than any of the food we had at our resort. Our guide Alex and driver Elvis for this excursion were amazing, and really made this trip a personal and unique experience. Read more Written January 24, 2023

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Full-day Whale watching Tour in Samana Bay from Uvero Alto provided by Shelting Tours

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Whale watching tour:.

• Full day - Small Group
• Bay of Samana
• Close Encounters with humpbacks
• 100% sightings rate
• Dedicated Whale Center
• Expert Guiding
• Scenic route through the Mountains

Gallery Whales

Departure whale watching

Whales pectoralis display

Whale watching - excellent photo opportunity

Humpback Whales - double pectoralis display

Humpback Whales - tail slapping

Punta Cana - whale watching - jump close to boat

Humpback whales - identification by tails

Humpback - lob tailing

Return to the Whale Center

Whale Center in Miches

Crossing the mountain range near Miches

Local roadside supermarket

Whale Watching - a real adventure day

Gallery Details

Whale Watching from Punta Cana and Bayahibe

A close encounter with the majestic humpback whales in the bay of samana, eco-excursion with trained seavistours guide.

Available from mid January till mid March

This excursion is available for guests of the Punta Cana , Bayahibe , Dominicus and La Romana resorts and hotels . The humpback whales are regular visitors in the Bay of Samana. Every year from mid-January until mid-March these huge mammals leave the Arctic to mate and give birth in the protected bay along the Dominican Republic's east coast. The first of the "snowbirds" traveling seasonally to the Dominican Republic, the whales have been wintering in this region for centuries. This is evidenced by old Taino cave paintings in the nearby "Los Haitises" National Park which depict blowing whales.

The humpback whale is a water mammal known for their liveliness and their singing. They can attain a length of 15 meters and weight of up to 30 tons. Their huge front flippers (pectoral fins) can reach one-third of their body length for an impressive display. Before diving, humpback whales bend their backs in the form of a hump and lift their tails high out of the water, hence their name.

There are few things as exciting as watching free-range whales. You can join us on an expedition to trace and observe these animals from close range, however to ensure the whales' survival, we adhere to strict guidelines and directives. Our staff participates yearly in the training programs given by CEBSE (the Center for Conservation and Eco-Development Samana and its Environs).

It is due to maintaining these guidelines each year that the whales -especially the juveniles- become more bold and accustomed to the boats and their joyful behavior can be seen from our excellent vantage point. We have adopted strict minimum distances to ensure the safety of both the whales and the boat passenger.

The buses leave early from the hotels to take you safely to Miches. The buses from Punta Cana are guided by the national tour guide and go straight to Miches over the new highway. From Bayahibe it goes for +- 1h45 through the countryside and we pass the Seibo mountain range. During the road trip the guide will give information about the life and local customs of the Dominicans.

On arrival in Miches you will meet Rob and Kristien and you'll get coffee, a breakfast and a short briefing before we board the motor catamaran and the adventure begins.

Through close contact with the captains of other boats in the area, a reporting system is developed. During the season, an average of 300 whales enter the bay of Samana each day. It is very rare that no sighting is recorded on any one day.

Especially the males are known for their impressive displays to attract the females...

Then we continue to the "montaña redonda". You get a full lunch and you can see the montaña redonda and take photos on the panoramic swing. At around 2:00 PM we leave the ranch and on the way back we visit some sights. We will be back in Dominicus / Bayahibe / Punta Cana between 17:00-18:00.

Please bring your swim wear, a towel, dry clothes and a wind jacket. By times we have some wind and splash water in the boat.

Now Available: transfers from the Punta Cana hotels and resorts

Tour agency offering excursions and tours for guests of all Punta Cana and Bayahibe resorts and for passengers of cruise ships docking in La Romana.

Postal Address: 4 Eladia ,  Bayahibe-Dominicus ,  Altagracia ,  23000 ,  Dominican Republic Phone: +(1) 829 714 4947

Whale Watching - Summary

For a full description click the black arrow (left)

There are few things as exciting as watching free-range whales. You can join us on an expedition to trace and observe these animals from close range!

• Small Group
• Village of Miches

Check this unique experience!

Whale Watching from Punta Cana & Bayahibe:

Wed: Eng./ German / Dutch Sun: Eng./ German / Dutch

Time Table: 06:40: Pick up Punta Cana 07:00: Pick up Bayahibe 09:00: Breakfast 10:00: Whale Expedition * 13:30: Miches 13:45: Lunch 14:30: Depart Miches 15:00: Local Colmado 18:30: back in hotel * sea sick pill obligatory, supplied by us

What to bring: - sun screen - towel - beach slippers - extra set dry clothes* - wind / rain jacket - small change - camera in ziplock bag * we sometimes have splash water

Not Available for: - pregnant women - people with back disorders - children < 4 years

Payments: - deposits might be applicable - full payment on arrival in Bayahibe - US$, Euro, Pesos - no credit cards!! - no problems :)

Note: The itinerary of the tour and the services offered may differ from those described on this page due to current weather conditions and availability of goods.

Tip: You stay in Punta Cana, but you want to dive or make several excursions in Bayahibe? Check Villa Iguana in Bayahibe , the perfect accommodation in Bayahibe for a short stay. You will save the transfer costs, the hotel is then basically for free!

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Wildlife & Nature

How to See the Whales in Samaná Bay

Humpback whale in Samaná Bay

Photo: Kit Korzun / Shutterstock.com

If you're in the Dominican Republic between January 15 - March 25, try to make the trek north to see the whales in Samaná. After all, they've come some 3000 miles to see you.

Samaná is the perfect place to watch the North Atlantic Humpback Whales who overwinter in the warm marine sanctuary of Samaná Bay before they begin their long migration to their summer grounds - as far away as Greenland and Iceland!

Not all the humpback whales travel in the same group, but at any one time during the Samaná whale-watching season , there are at least 300 whales in Samaná Bay. With all those whales, you’ll have ample chance to watch all sorts of behaviour on display - it’s more a matter of patience than luck.

A humpback whale breaching in Samaná Bay

Photo: Jenya Tarasof / Shutterstock.com

Migration route

Once they leave the northern waters of Iceland and Greenland at the approach of winter, they follow the current of the Caribbean Sea from Puerto Rico to Punta Cana on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, then to Samaná Bay, the Bahamas and up to the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, they make the trip back north to fatten up in the cold waters that are full of krill, their primary food.

Marine Sanctuary

The whale nursery in Samaná Bay is heavily protected. Only whale-watching boats are allowed to enter the bay, and even these are heavily restricted. Every spring, the interior of the bay essentially becomes a mothers' ward, for delivering calves and nursing. Male whales hang out towards the outer part of the bay.

Learn more about marine life and other Dominican wildlife here!

A young humpback whale swmming in the Caribbean

Photo: Ethan Daniels / Shutterstock.com

What you’ll see

With a little patience and luck, you’ll see humpback whales leap out of the water in an incredible display of acrobatic grace. Scientists say they do this not just for fun, but to alert other whales to a good feeding ground, or as part of courting rituals. Sometimes, it's their way of getting rid of sunburnt skin after their long trip south.

Apart from seeing moms swimming around with their newborn calves, you'll also hear the males' courting songs. Your guide will use a hydrophone so you can listen in, but don't neglect to keep your eyes peeled for surface activity!

Some of the most exciting surface activity you’ll see happens when up to twenty male whales compete for mating rights with a female. The drama includes blowing water, head lunging, slamming each other, and breaching.

Breaching is when a whale launches into the air then crashes back down onto the water's surface. It's not too hard for the whale to achieve, but the sight is certainly impressive to humans, and presumably to other whales as well. Breaching is a common courting ritual (but not all breaching is part of courting - whales breach for plenty of reasons).

Some of the other movements to watch for are “flippering” - raising the flippers and flapping them against the water's surface, sort of a lesser breach. You'll also see them rolling in the water in a horizontal posture.

Tourist on whale watching excursion in Samaná

How to choose a boat trip

Because the bay can have strong undercurrents and plenty of spray at this time of year, it's best to go out in strong boats, built to properly house the number of travelers. If the boat looks overcrowded, don’t board it. Safety first.

Because Samaná Bay is officially protected as a whale sanctuary, the rules for viewing are pretty strict. Boat speed and number of boats near sighted whales are carefully controlled, making it a safer place for the whales - and for you. When you’re told something isn't permitted, trust your guide and adhere to the guidelines so that the whales can keep finding safe refuge here.

The oldest and most reputable Samaná whale-watching excursion is run by Whale Samaná . These guys are the pros, and it’s easy to book directly on their website. An on-board expert will narrate what's going on and answer your questions. Tickets start at $144 for an 8-hour excursion that includes a visit to Bacardi Island or Cayo Levantado.

Want to shop around for a different itinerary? Check out the other tours available by searching TripAdvisor, Travelocity or by asking for advice at your hotel desk. Every tour offers something different.

Getting there

Most whale-watching tours include the option of transport to Samaná from Punta Cana and other cities. If you want to get here on your own steam, you can reach Samaná from other cities via air-conditioned Caribe Tours or Metro buses. If you’re not planning to stay overnight, it’s important to check when the last bus leaves from Samaná, as the hour might be earlier than you expect.

See how to get around in the Dominican Republic like a local.

While you’re here, don’t miss...

If there's time, try to make it to the Center for Conservation and Ecodevelopment of Samaná Bay and its Environment Whale Museum and Nature Center ( Museo de las Ballenas ) in Samaná before your tour. You'll appreciate your voyage into the Bay much better that way. The cost is 100 pesos to enter, and their hours are 9-11 AM and 2-5 PM daily.

Written by G. Abdullah.

Published September 2020

(Updated April 2022)

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INTERNATIONAL Reservations Trips available from January 15, 2024

All International reservations are handled by Jan, feel free to ask any questions pertinent to your trip planning. If seats are available for your requested dates we will send you a PayPal Invoice for a deposit of $15 USD per adult. When your deposit is confirmed by PayPal you will receive an email boarding pass.

National & dominican republic residents reservations.

For last minute reservations, resident discounts, group rates and bookings call directly Judy in the Whale Samana office 809-538-2494 or whatsapp 829-470-3671.

Meet our Humpbacks with Kim Beddall, founder of Whale Watching here in Samana Bay.

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 with 38 years of experience, narrating and answering questions. An Experience of a Lifetime, not to be missed!

Dates/time january 15th to february 02 one trip daily at 10:00 am. february 03 to march 16 twice daily at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. march 17 to 31st one trip daily at 10:00am departure samana main town dock, across the street from the whale samana office. on board pura mia our 55’ custom built whale watch vessel with 360 degree visibility comfortable capacity: 60 persons with lots of space to move around. safety and security vhf radio, fire extinguishers and first aid on board. approved life jackets and rain gear on board. crew will wear masks, join us if you would like. services two modern bathrooms with running water, soap and hand sanitizer. sound system with underwater hydrophone, souvenirs and educational material. marine mammal specialists and scientific data collection on every trip. narration in two languages and interpreters available. we comply with the samaná bay whale watch regulations. includes soft drinks, water, crackers and mixed candies. dramamine tablets and acu-pressure sea bands, to help with seasickness, are available. prices whale watch only: $65.00 usd per person children 12 years of age and under: $35.00 usd note trips are 3-4 hours long depending on whale sightings. not recommended for children under 2 years of age price does not include $5.00 usd marine mammal sanctuary entrance fee paid directly to the ministry of the environment. optional visit to cayo levantado: return ticket is an extra $5.00 usd "safe, sensitive whale watching with kim beddall". for reservations: whatsapp 829-470-3671 or judy direct 809-538-2494. via email: [email protected] see you on board, national & dominican republic residents reservations from january 15th to march 31st, 2024.

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Hoyo Azul Excursions

Your best option for things to do in punta cana, discover our tours, all-inclusive santo domingo sightseeing tour from punta cana, dream sail catamaran tour from punta cana, full-day private tour in miches and la jarda waterfall experience, group punta cana deep-sea fishing charter, horseback riding adventure at limon beach, montaña redonda and 4x4 atv tour on the beach, playa limon 4x4 atv near miches, private catamaran tour in punta cana, private punta cana booze cruise, private punta cana deep-sea fishing charter, private yacht cruise to saona island, punta cana 4x4 atv tour to macao beach with cave swim, punta cana buggy adventure to macao beach, punta cana buggy adventure to macao beach with cave swim, punta cana catamaran and speedboat cruise to saona island, punta cana ecological tour to los haitises national park, punta cana half-day catamaran cruise with snorkeling, punta cana helicopter tour, punta cana horseback riding on the beach, punta cana parasailing adventure, samaná whale watching excursion and cayo levantado adventure from punta cana.

Based in Punta Cana, we have been offering tours and private airport transfers since 2013. With our team of connoisseurs, who will help you turn amazing adventures into once-in-a-lifetime memories so that you can relive each experience one memory, photograph or conversation at a time. We can't wait for our hands to stretch yours as we take you into the heart and every interesting cormers of the island, where an adventure awaits, so you can enjoy the authentical Dominican Republic. You will be our honoured guest.

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Contact info, 1 (877) 778-4758, [email protected], avenida españa, punta cana, 23000, do, useful links.

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Private Samana Whale Tour from Punta Cana – Exclusive Humpback Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado

Book it from:

-15% $2518 $ 2,140

Chat with our Consultants!

Do you know that late January to March is one of the most favorable period for a vacation in the Dominican Republic? Besides the pleasant weather, you can have the most incredible experience of your life – witnessing humpback whales with your own eyes!

Make your journey to the whales even more fascinating and exclusive with our private tour for groups of up to 10 people. Here, you can see whales that come for breeding and unwind on the renowned island of Cayo Levantado, relaxing on its pristine white beach.

Key Features of a Private Whale Watching Tour in Samana Peninsula

Private Comfortable Transportation Starting with a comfortable transportation from the Bavaro - Punta Cana area, we will head to Las Canitas, where a light breakfast awaits you. After getting energized for an exciting day, the most thrilling part starts – the journey to the whales on a spacious catamaran!

Unique Whale Watching Experience Depending on weather conditions and the whales' mood, the journey can last from 1 to 2.5 hours. It is a unique opportunity to observe humpback whales in their natural calving and mating grounds here in Samana Bay. Listen to the male humpback's song as it courts, and witness impressive displays like flipping, tail movements, and jumping by the most active whale species in the Atlantic.

Knowledgeable & Multilingual Guide Our experienced guides provide valuable insights into the behavior and biology of these majestic creatures, offering an educational and awe-inspiring experience.

Lunch with Breathtaking View After this exhilarating adventure, it will be the perfect time for a buffet lunch. It will take place on the shores of the Samana Peninsula, with breathtaking views of the bay. Enjoy the beauty of Samana while savoring delicious food!

Relaxation on the famous Cayo Levantado Afterward, you will have time to relax on the pristine sands of the famous Cayo Levantado Island. Your experience comes with beach loungers, and you can pick one drink from the choices (cola, sprite, rum, rum and coke, rum and sprite, or water). Take a dip in the crystal-clear water, sunbathe, enjoy the views, and capture memories with photos.

This is an individual tour, so the beach stay duration will be arranged according to your preferences.

Please be aware that we will do everything possible to find the whales. We almost guarantee that you will see the backs or tails of the whales, but we cannot guarantee that they will breach out of the water!

Whales in Samana Excursion Program

Transportation

7:30 AM - We provide pick-up/drop-off from any hotel or area of Bavaro/Punta Cana and transportation in modern buses with expert drivers, accompanied by a professional multilingual guide.

Breakfast in Las Cañitas

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM - Upon arrival in the Las Cañitas area, a delicious breakfast awaits you with coffee, milk, juice, sandwiches, and fruits – everything to energize you before the thrilling adventures!

Humpback Whale Watching

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Get on the spacious catamaran for an exciting 1-2.5 hour whale-watching tour in Samana Bay. Watch the amazing mating dance of humpback whales and maybe see a baby whale. Our guides share valuable insights into their behavior. Samaná Bay has great views, making it an awesome adventure.

Dominican Lunch

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Treat yourself to a traditional Dominican buffet lunch with a wide selection of dishes and enjoy an open bar (coffee, water, sprite, coke, rum). And all of this comes with a splendid view of Samana Bay.

Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Discover one of the most renowned Caribbean islands. Kick back on the stunning beach of Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island. Soak in the easygoing island atmosphere, relax on free sun loungers, and pick a drink of your choice.

The Return Journey

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM - After enjoying positive and delightful moments, we glide back on the catamaran to Las Canitas. Then, a private transfer takes us to your hotel in the Bavaro - Punta Cana area, offering beautiful views.

Pick-up and drop-off is included in the price for most hotels and residences in Bavaro-Punta Cana area. Additional charge may be applied for pick-ups from Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, Miches, Veron, Bayahibe and La Romana.

Private Whale Watching Tour Details

• The tour price: $2140 per group of up to 10 people.
• Available on: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
• Approximate pick up time from your hotel or pick-up point: 7.30 a.m.
• Duration:  12 hours.
• Tour languages: English, Spanish, Russian.
• What to bring: comfortable clothing, swimming suit, photo camera, sun protection cream, small change for tips, good mood.
• It is strictly prohibited: to feed, touch, swim with, or throw anything at the whales. These actions may be subject to legal consequences under the laws of the Dominican Republic.

The price is quoted for a group of up to 10 people, but if you have a larger group, please contact us for a customized tour cost calculation.

We kindly request guests to prepare gratuities in the range of USD 2-5 for the catamaran captain and USD 2-3 for the driver in advance. Thank you for being kind to our staff – it really means a lot to them!

What’s Included in Samana Whale Tour?

• Private comfortable transportation (modern shuttles with AC, two way)
• Accompanied by an experienced guide
• Private catamaran tour to the Samana Bay with whale watching
• Visit to Cayo Levantado (Bacardi island)
• Chaise lounge and one beverage of your choice (cola, sprite, rum, rum and coke, rum and sprite, or water) at Cayo Levantado Beach
• Breakfast: coffee, milk, juice, sandwich, fruits
• Traditional Dominican lunch with open bar: salad, rice, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, Dominican bean sauce, local coconut sauce with ‘Samaná’ eggplants, fruits; coffee, water, sprite, coke, rum.

Additional options for lunch: shrimp at $35 or lobster at $45 per person, with advance booking.

March to June is lobster breeding season. It’s prohibited to fish and sell spiny lobsters during this time. This also means that restaurants can’t serve lobster during these months.

Pros and Cons of Samana Whale Tour

• Watch humpback whales
• Explore the diversity of famous Bacardi island and Samana bay
• Breakfast and Dominican lunch included
• The excursion is very long, so make sure you sleep well the night before
• The excursion is not recommended for people with heart or back problems
• Pregnant women and individuals with physical disabilities should not participate in this excursion

Note that you are able to see the Humpback Whales in Samana only from the middle of January until the end of March! If you’re vacationing during a different time, we offer you this alternative program Cayo Levantado & El Limon Waterfall Samana Excursion

Reserve your whale-watching adventure in Samana today!

Related Tours

Private Whale Watching Tour from Punta Cana – Samaná Humpback Whales Sanctuary, Bacardi Island, El Limon Waterfall

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People Also Ask

When is the best time to go on this tour?

You can watch fantastic whale mating games in Samana bay in February and March. In our view, mid February is a great time for going on this watching tour to observe mothers and calves.

Can children go on Samana whale watching tour?

Yes, children can participate in this private Samana whale-watching tour.

How long does this Samana whale excursion last?

This tour is one of the best excursion in Punta Cana. It is a full day tour which lasts about 12 hours.

How to book this watching tour for a certain day?

You can book it online indicating the day you prefer on our website. Do not forget that you can watch whales only in February and March. In other months you will be impressed with picturesque Bacardi island, Samana Bay and El Limon waterfall.

How long does it take to go from Punta Cana to Samana?

The distance between Punta Cana and Samana Bay is about 300 km, The road takes about 3 hours. As you can see, Samana whale watching excursion is very long, but it is worth seing, so make sure you sleep well the night before.

What distance will we be watching whales in Samana far?

Mostly it depends on whales. But generally you can watch whales in Samana from a distance of 10 meters. You can also watch them passing right next to the boat. Book this excursion and enjoy this amazing experience.

Is Samana whale watching excursion dangerous?

No. This whale excursion is not dangerous.

Is it allowed to take pictures during this tour?

Of course, you are free to take pictures during it! Make your memories of amazing whales remained in your memory and in photos for a long time.

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• Whale Watching

Whale Watching Tours in Punta Cana

Humpback whales in punta cana.

Humpback whales are also frequent tourists in the Dominican Republic, enjoying the warm Bay of Samana, where they mate and give birth every year from mid-January until mid-April. Most excursions to see them leave from the village Samana; if you want to join one of these excursions from Punta Cana there is a transfer by small plane, or by bus for tours that leave from Miches.

Whale Watching from Miches

However there are companies that depart from Miches, at the south side of the Bay of Samana. Transfers are done by bus and take at the moment +- 2 hours. From 2015 the highway from Punta Cana to Miches will be finished and this will reduce the transfer time significantly. SeavisTours is one of the companies that offers Whale Watching Tours that depart from Miches. Pick ups will be organized on all resorts in Punta Cana and Bavaro.

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