Whale Watching in Samana
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale Watching in Samana worth booking?
Whale Watching in Samana is a 11-hour experience in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, from $132 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (13)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $132 per person
It is an amazing sight waiting for you every winter in the Samana Bay, the humpback whales moving from the their arctic home to the warm waters of the protective bay of Samana to give birth and mate. The show is impressi
What you get
About this experience
It is an amazing sight waiting for you every winter in the Samana Bay, the humpback whales moving from the their arctic home to the warm waters of the protective bay of Samana to give birth and mate. The show is impressive, when the 40-ton males jump up the water and fall down a few meters ahead.
What's included
Included
- Whale Watching
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Breakfast
- Dominican-style Lunch
- Boat ride
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks with the lunch not included
What you'll see and do
Puerto Plata
We pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Plata
10 minutes here
Sosua
We pick you up from your hotel in Sosua
10 minutes here
Cabarete
We pick you up from your hotel in Cabarete
10 minutes here
Samana Bay
Every year from the middle of January until the end of March you are able to see Humpback Whales in Samana. Samana is considered one of the best places in the world for humpback whale watching. These beautiful and giant marine mammals, breathe air and come out regularly to the surface, remain in apnea for about 20 minutes, but can remain under water for up to 40 minutes. Whales come to give birth to their little ones because the whalebone, when born, has a very thin layer of fat to withstand the cold waters. At birth it measures between 3.50 and 5 meters, and weighs a ton. After being collected from your hotel in Puerto Plata, Sosua, or Cabarete, make your way to Samana and enjoy the amazing views of the lovely Dominican landscapes. Departing from the dock in the town of Samana, we will transport you in comfortable, fast and secure boats and navigate in search of whales.
540 minutes here · Admission included
Next we will head to Bacardi Island, Cayo Levantado is the local name of the island. On the island a delicious typical Dominican lunch will be served. After lunch and to finalize your wonderful experience you will enjoy turquoise waters and white sand of Cayo Levantado. It is a very long day but really worth to visit.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Eric Tours International
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- contact for the exact tour departure time
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Whale Watching in Samana. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Long long trip. But worth it if you have never seen whales.
The hour spent Whale Watching was awesome. The other 17 hours not so much. Especially departing Puerto Plata at 5 am and returning to hotel at 8 pm. 5 hours each way in a basic tour bus. Breakfast and lunch of very low quality (bring snacks). Two hours at a beach with no shower so we did not go in the water.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Puerto Plata is the first pickup so it’s a long day. Breakfast and lunch is local food. There should be bathrooms on the island with water.
via Viator
I felt like a little kid...
I felt like a little kid in a candy shop! It was amazing experience. Our tour guide was funny and kind.
via Viator
Whales of Samana
We have had a great seeing of the whales. Wish we had more time with them and less people on the boat. It was packed.
via Viator
Over crowded boat
Our tour guide was fabulous and we did get to see the whales. So while I would recommend this type of excursion, I would also recommend choosing a different company to go with. The reason I wouldn't recommend this company is because they overbooked/over crowded the boat we were on. This made for an uncomfortable ride and also made it difficult to actually see the whales that were there. We had so many people on our boat, 4 adults to each bench and then there were maybe 10-15 people that had to stand for the trip. We saw many other boat tours that had room for their groups to move around during the trip to have the best viewing of the whales. I wish I would have chosen a company that allowed more room on the boat.
via Viator
Awesome excursion.
Over all it was a great day. They picked us up as scheduled. We saw several whales and were able to get quite close. The island was beautiful. Crystal clear water. Plenty of shade under the trees. Things we didn't know: the tour stopped to provide us breakfast. It was pretty good. There were many vendors on the island with reasonable prices if interested. The chairs on the island were $200 pesos each to use. You have to purchase drinks on the island. $100 pesos for a soda. $600 pesos for pina colada in a pineapple. The lunch was pretty horrible. Worst lunch I've ever had on an excursion. I wish I brought my snorkeling gear. Over all a wonderful day. Loved the boat ride, the whales, and relaxing on the island. I would recommend.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale Watching in Samana: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Puerto Plata.
How much does Whale Watching in Samana cost?
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Prices start at $132 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Puerto Plata usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Whale Watching in Samana take?
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Plan for about 11 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Puerto Plata is not rushed.
Is Whale Watching in Samana worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Puerto Plata, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Whale Watching in Samana?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Whale Watching in Samana suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Whale Watching in Samana?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Puerto Plata can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Puerto Plata and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Whale Watching in Samana start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Puerto Plata within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Puerto Plata?
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On Outty we rank every Puerto Plata experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata, Monkeyland Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata Highlights City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Plata?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Puerto Plata?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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