Samaná: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado tour with lunch

Summary

Whale watching in Samaná and a day on Cayo Levantado with local lunch

You’ll drift across Samaná Bay by boat with a local guide, catch glimpses of humpback whales (if you’re lucky), then spend hours relaxing on Cayo Levantado’s soft sand. With Dominican lunch included and stories shared along the way, it’s one of those days you’ll remember long after your feet are dry.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — we almost missed the boat because I got distracted by a guy selling fresh coconut bread at the Samaná port. The smell was unreal, all yeasty and sweet, and our guide Rosa just grinned like she’d seen it happen a hundred times. She waved us over, “Vamos, or you’ll see the whales from here!” So we hustled onto the little boat, still laughing, and I could already feel that sticky sea breeze on my arms.

The ride out into Samaná Bay was choppy but kind of thrilling — salt spray everywhere, people clutching hats and phones. Rosa pointed out where the humpback whales come every year (January to March), and suddenly everyone went quiet, scanning the water. We did see them — not for long, just a tail flick and a spout — but it felt weirdly intimate. Like you’re intruding on something ancient. I didn’t expect to get goosebumps from that.

Afterwards we landed at Cayo Levantado (some folks call it Bacardi Island — apparently there’s an old commercial?), which is just this tiny patch of white sand with palm trees leaning in all directions. Lunch was simple but perfect: fried fish, rice with beans, and this tangy salad that tasted like lime and sunshine. There was music drifting from somewhere behind the beach shacks; I tried to ask for the name of the song but probably butchered my Spanish because everyone laughed kindly.

I spent most of that afternoon just floating in warm water, watching clouds drift over the bay. At one point Rosa brought us bottled water and told us about her childhood here — how she used to sneak mangoes from her neighbor’s tree after school. That stuck with me more than any postcard view. The sunburn I got is fading now but I still think about that quiet moment bobbing in the bay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Samaná Whale Watching and Beach

• See Samaná town
• Whale watching boat tour
• Relax at Cayo Levantado beach

Top questions

How do you get to Cayo Levantado from Samaná?

You take a boat taxi from Samaná port on Avenida Marina; it’s about 5 kilometers across the bay.

Is whale watching guaranteed during this tour?

No, whale sightings can’t be guaranteed since they are wild animals; best chances are January to March.

What’s included in this Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado tour?

The tour includes private transportation, bottled water, lunch at Cayo Levantado, an air-conditioned vehicle, and lifebelts for boat use.

Is lunch provided on Cayo Levantado?

Yes, a Dominican lunch is included during your time on Cayo Levantado island.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

Can I use public transportation to reach the starting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby the departure point in Samaná.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Samaná with an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water throughout the trip, lifebelts for safety during the boat ride across Samaná Bay to Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island), plus a traditional Dominican lunch served right on the island before heading back in comfort.