Samaná Whale Watching Tour from Punta Cana: Whales & Waterfall

Humpback whales breach and sing in the same bay where you'll swim and ride to a 45-meter waterfall.

A private full-day tour from Punta Cana to Samaná combines whale watching in the bay, beach time at Cayo Levantado, and a horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and other languages. Private transportation, lunch, snacks and an open bar are included. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the day runs 8 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cayo Levantado2h
2. El Limón Waterfall2h

Whale watching, island visit, waterfall safari

• Watch humpback whales in Samaná Bay
• Relax on Cayo Levantado beach
• Enjoy safari to El Limón Waterfall
• Have Dominican lunch at ranch
• Horseback ride to Limón Waterfall

The experience

Humpback whales migrate to Samaná Bay each winter, and this tour puts you on the water to watch them breach, tail-slap and sing. The males produce low-frequency songs that carry across the bay. Mothers and calves drift in the warm Caribbean water nearby. You'll see these moments from a boat with a private guide, not in a crowd, and the guide translates what's happening in your language: English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two others.

After whale watching, the tour moves to Cayo Levantado, the island known as Bacardi Island for the palms that appeared in rum ads decades ago. The beach has powder-white sand and clear turquoise water. You swim, rest and eat snacks while the boat waits. Then comes the ride inland: a safari-style drive through Samaná's plantations, a stop at a typical Dominican ranch where lunch is a buffet, and a 30-minute horseback ride through the landscape to El Limón Waterfall. The waterfall drops 45 meters into a pool where you can swim. The whole sequence (whales, island, ranch, waterfall) takes 8 hours door to door, with private transportation and your guide the entire time.

Hotel pickup from Punta Cana is included, so you don't arrange transport to the departure point. The open bar and lunch mean you're not hunting for a restaurant or paying separately for drinks. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the horseback ride and waterfall swim are part of the day's plan.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Punta Cana hotel.
• a private guide fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French or other languages.
• whale-watching boat access in Samaná Bay.
• beach time at Cayo Levantado.
• a Dominican buffet lunch at the ranch.
• the 30-minute horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall.
• snacks and an open bar throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Jan 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shelting Tours

Is this one for you?The day starts early and moves through five distinct stops (boat, beach, ranch, horseback, waterfall), so you're active and traveling most of the 8 hours. If you want to see whales, swim, ride and hike without arranging separate bookings or transport, the private guide and included lunch mean everything is coordinated for you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do you actually see when you watch the humpback whales in Samaná Bay?

Humpback whales breach, jumping clear out of the water, tail-slap, and flap their pectoral fins. The males sing low-frequency songs that travel underwater. Mothers and calves rest in the warm water. You watch from a boat, and your private guide explains the behavior in your language.

Is there time to swim at Cayo Levantado, or is it just a quick stop?

Cayo Levantado is a full beach stop where you swim in the turquoise water and rest on the powder-white sand. Snacks are provided while you're there. The boat waits for your group.

How does the horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall work?

You ride for approximately 30 minutes through plantations toward the waterfall. The ride ends at El Limón Waterfall, which drops 45 meters into a pool where you can swim. A typical Dominican ranch with lunch comes before the ride, so you eat first.

What's included in the lunch at the ranch?

Lunch is a Dominican buffet served at the ranch. The open bar, included throughout the day, means drinks are covered, and snacks are provided at Cayo Levantado as well.

Does the tour pick me up from my Punta Cana hotel?

Yes, private transportation and hotel pickup from Punta Cana are included. Your guide meets you and handles all transport for the full 8 hours.