{"id":793,"date":"2025-07-30T09:28:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T09:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicana360.ru\/?p=793"},"modified":"2025-07-30T09:28:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T09:28:48","slug":"whales-in-the-dominican-republic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/whales-in-the-dominican-republic\/","title":{"rendered":"Whales in the Dominican Republic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n<p>Everything you need to know before your trip, including a detailed guide about whales in the Dominican Republic and how to see these magnificent creatures. It\u2019s actually not difficult, but since there\u2019s a lack of clear and practical information online (most of it is just generic descriptions), I\u2019ll walk you through everything step-by-step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Table of contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#1\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#1\">Humpback Whales in the Dominican Republic: Key Facts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#2\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#2\">When and Where to Spot Whales<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#3\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#3\">What a Whale Watching Tour Includes and How Much It Costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#4\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#4\">What to Bring with You<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#5\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#5\">Our Personal Experience: A Lesson for All Readers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"1\">Humpback Whales in the Dominican Republic: Key Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s start from the beginning. Every piece of information here is important, so don\u2019t skip anything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Yes, you can really see humpback whales in the Dominican Republic.<\/strong><br>It\u2019s one of the few places in the world where these giants come so close to the shore\u2014or even right up to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can only see them during a specific time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They migrate to Dominican waters to mate and give birth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whales that find a mate here this year will return next year to have calves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Off the Dominican coast, you can witness humpback whale courtship rituals. The ultimate highlight is seeing a male breaching\u2014that is, leaping out of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Fact:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>We managed to see it once. It lasted no more than 1\u20132 seconds, and sadly we didn\u2019t catch it on camera. It\u2019s the kind of moment you can never be truly ready for.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/kit-prizok.jpg\" alt=\"Whales in the Dominican Republic jump\" class=\"wp-image-796\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This is exactly what it looks like. The photo isn\u2019t ours, but if you&#8217;re quicker than we were, you might be lucky enough to capture a shot like this.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Humpback whales are not fish\u2014they&#8217;re mammals.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In fact, they\u2019re among the largest mammals on Earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These whales grow to around 14\u201315 meters (45\u201350 feet) long and can weigh up to 30 tons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"2\">When and Where to See Whales in the Dominican Republic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s go in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a link to a large article about <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/top-25-attractions-in-the-dominican-republic\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1379\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the top attractions in the Dominican Republic<\/a>\u2014including descriptions, prices, operating hours, maps, and personal ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Whale Watching Season in the Dominican Republic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, between <strong>mid-January and the end of March<\/strong>, around 200 to 400 humpback whales arrive off the Dominican coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Good to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>The ideal time to see the whales is <strong>February<\/strong>. The chances are about 95\u201399%.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes the first whales arrive as early as early January, but that\u2019s rare. Typically, they show up after January 15.<br>By March, they begin leaving Dominican waters. Occasionally, they stay until the end of the month.<br>So the closer it gets to April, the slimmer your chances. Same goes for early January.<br><strong>February is hands down the best month<\/strong> for whale watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/kity-v-dominikane-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"encounter with whales\" class=\"wp-image-812\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This is the view from a boat.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Whale Watching Location in the Dominican Republic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On the <strong>north coast<\/strong> of the country lies the <strong>Saman\u00e1 Peninsula<\/strong> (stress on the last syllable).<br>It\u2019s one of the best destinations for tourists in the Dominican Republic\u2014beautiful beaches, great ocean views, and lush greenery with palm trees, unlike the southern coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find a detailed article about <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/the-samana-peninsula\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"971\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Saman\u00e1 Peninsula and all its attractions<\/a> at the link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Interesting to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>The best tourist hubs on the Saman\u00e1 Peninsula are <strong>Las Terrenas<\/strong> and <strong>Las Galeras<\/strong>.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The capital of the peninsula is also called <strong>Saman\u00e1<\/strong>.<br>The whales come to <strong>Saman\u00e1 Bay<\/strong>, which is where they mate and give birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might spot whales along the outer coast of the peninsula, such as in Las Galeras, but the chances are very slim. Those would be whales on their way into the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"993\" height=\"845\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/samana-map.jpg\" alt=\"whales on the samana map\" class=\"wp-image-7198\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/samana-map.jpg 993w, https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/samana-map-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/samana-map-768x654.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Here\u2019s a map to help you understand where whales are typically found in the Dominican Republic.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn\u2019t matter where you book your tour\u2014whether with a travel agent, your hotel, or directly on-site.<br><strong>All tours start from one of three locations on the northern coast.<\/strong><br>The map below shows all the key points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1G6-5kGVnCAjAxXI0x0NRl1xmAvw68-vD&amp;hl=en&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"100%\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>95% of all tours depart from the city of Saman\u00e1.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Occasionally, boats leave from <strong>Sabana de la Mar<\/strong> (marked as Pier #4 on the map). This pier has been renovated, and sometimes tourists from B\u00e1varo and Punta Cana are brought here.<br>But <strong>most tours still depart from Saman\u00e1 city<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Be prepared:<\/strong><br>The drive from Punta Cana to Saman\u00e1 takes <strong>4\u20135 hours one way<\/strong>.<br>The whole excursion will take the <strong>entire day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a car, you can easily get to <strong>Saman\u00e1\u2019s main pier (Pier #1)<\/strong> by 9:00 AM\u2014ideally a bit earlier\u2014and book a tour <strong>on the spot for less money<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a car, your best option is to book a <strong>ready-made excursion<\/strong>.<br>Some full-day tours include not only whales but also the <strong>El Lim\u00f3n waterfall<\/strong>, the famous <strong>Bacardi Island<\/strong>, and possibly even a <strong>horseback ride<\/strong> (though that part may vary).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Link to <a href=\"https:\/\/getyourguide.tp.st\/D5GXi61o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the largest selection of tours where you can see whales<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"3\"><strong>How the Whale Watching Tour Works: What\u2019s Included and What It Costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve already booked a tour through your hotel with transfer and meals included \u2014 relax and enjoy. But this section is still worth reading; there\u2019s helpful info here for you too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you <strong>buy the tour directly at the Saman\u00e1 pier<\/strong>, expect to pay around <strong>$70 per person<\/strong>.<br>You\u2019re unlikely to bargain it down to less than $60 \u2014 but hey, it doesn\u2019t hurt to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Link to a full article on <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/prices-in-the-dominican-republic\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"665\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prices in the Dominican Republic<\/a> \u2014 covering everything from groceries to car rentals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/lodki-whales-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"timetable for whale watching tours\" class=\"wp-image-814\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Here\u2019s what the boats look like.<\/strong> In the background, you\u2019ll usually see smaller boats that hold around 25\u201330 people. Most of the boats used for tours are twice that size.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Step-by-Step Guide for Independent Travelers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To be among the first to board, <strong>arrive at Saman\u00e1\u2019s main pier (Pier #1) by 8:45 AM<\/strong>. There\u2019s a <strong>free parking lot<\/strong> nearby in case you\u2019re driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More info on <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/time-in-dominicana\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"421\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">time zones and practical travel tips<\/a> in this linked article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as you arrive, you\u2019ll be surrounded by enthusiastic locals selling the whale tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prices are fairly standard<\/strong> \u2014 they might start at $80\u201390, but within seconds, you can usually <strong>negotiate it down to $70<\/strong>, or maybe even a little less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boats start heading out <strong>from 9 AM until about 2\u20133 PM<\/strong>, depending on demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s said that <strong>your chances of spotting whales are higher in the morning<\/strong>. That may or may not be true, but we personally saw whales at various times of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve picked a vendor you feel comfortable with, start asking these <strong>important questions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ask them to <strong>show you the boat<\/strong>. It should be just 20 meters away on the pier.<br>If the boat isn\u2019t docked yet, you might have to wait 1\u20132 hours for departure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the boat <strong>is already tied to the pier<\/strong>, that\u2019s a good sign \u2014 and if tourists are already seated, departure is imminent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask <strong>how soon the boat will leave<\/strong>. If they say &#8220;five minutes,&#8221; remember \u2014 <strong>\u201cDominican five minutes\u201d often means 20\u201330 real minutes.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask what\u2019s <strong>included in the tour<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>It is important to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>Most $70 tours <strong>include whale watching, a visit to Cayo Levantado (aka Bacardi Island)<\/strong>, and <strong>lunch<\/strong> (typically rice with chicken and salad).<br>Fun trivia: 30\u201340 years ago, <strong>a Bacardi rum commercial was filmed<\/strong> on the beach of this very island.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/bacardi-ytrom-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Bacardi beach from a distance\" class=\"wp-image-809\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Bacardi Island early in the morning, before the crowds.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>More about <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/bacardi-island\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1817\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bacardi Island<\/a> in a separate article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once everything\u2019s settled, you pay, get a <strong>wristband<\/strong>, board the boat, and wait until it fills up before heading out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a fun article about other <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/what-movies-and-commercials-were-filmed-in-the-dominicana\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3380\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">movies and commercials filmed in the Dominican Republic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Tour Timeline and Whale Watching Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Each boat holds around 50 people.<\/strong><br>Everyone gets a <strong>life vest<\/strong>. Boats are usually <strong>not filled to capacity<\/strong>, because once whales appear, chaos breaks out \u2014 everyone runs from one side of the boat to the other to get the best view.<br>Typically, they load up to about <strong>30 people per boat<\/strong> for comfort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It takes <strong>30\u201340 minutes<\/strong> to reach the center of Saman\u00e1 Bay from Pier #1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Every boat has two spotters<\/strong> with walkie-talkies, perched high up, scanning the sea for whales.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you spot whales right away, the trip isn\u2019t over.<br>The actual whale-watching part usually lasts about <strong>an hour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whales usually swim in pairs.<br>During our trip, we saw <strong>5\u20136 pairs<\/strong> in total.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>captain rotates the boat<\/strong> so both sides get a good view \u2014 but people still rush back and forth like mad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/whales-samana-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"humpback whale in samana bay dominican republic\" class=\"wp-image-817\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>When a <strong>15-meter whale is only 15 meters away<\/strong>, you can\u2019t help but run for a better look \u2014 and so does everyone else.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Then \u2014 Bacardi Island<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>After whale watching, the boat takes everyone to <strong>Bacardi Island<\/strong>, a tiny tropical island less than 1 km\u00b2 in size, with a picture-perfect beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>ride from Saman\u00e1 port to Bacardi Island<\/strong> takes about <strong>2 to 2.5 hours<\/strong>, including the whale-watching portion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you land on the island, they\u2019ll tell you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When and where lunch<\/strong> will be served (it\u2019s included)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What time the boat departs<\/strong> back to the Saman\u00e1 pier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll get around <strong>3 hours of free time<\/strong> on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What to do on Bacardi Island:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Swim<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunbathe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore souvenir stalls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grab drinks at local caf\u00e9s (for an extra charge)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Tour Timing Summary<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>For us, the full excursion ran <strong>from 9 AM to 3 PM<\/strong>.<br>By 3 PM, we were back at Saman\u00e1 port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just <strong>20 km from Saman\u00e1<\/strong>, deep in the jungle, lies the spectacular <strong>El Lim\u00f3n waterfall<\/strong>.<br>If you\u2019re visiting the peninsula from far away, try to <strong>fit it into your day<\/strong> \u2014 it\u2019s worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re staying in Saman\u00e1 for a couple of days, visit El Lim\u00f3n <strong>the next morning<\/strong>.<br>There\u2019s a full guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/waterfall-el-limon-dominicana\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"919\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">El Lim\u00f3n waterfall<\/a> in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some tours <strong>combine whale watching and the waterfall<\/strong> in one day. Those are ideal if you\u2019re short on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"4\">What to Bring on a Whale Watching Tour in the Dominican Republic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Swimsuits<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Towels<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motion sickness pills<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A light snack<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Barf bags<\/strong> \u2013 though these are usually provided onboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the sea is rough and it\u2019s windy, <strong>a waterproof case for your phone and documents<\/strong> is highly recommended. Expect a lot of splashing throughout the ride!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cash<\/strong> for any extra expenses (more on that below).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mask and snorkel<\/strong> for swimming at Bacardi Island.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And most importantly \u2013 <strong>good luck!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/whales-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"whales in the dominican republic tour\" class=\"wp-image-818\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>You\u2019ll come back with plenty of shots like this!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"5\">Our Personal Whale Watching Experience in the Dominican Republic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ll try to be brief\u2014though that\u2019s never easy for me\u2014so bear with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as we left the Saman\u00e1 port, the waves started hitting hard, and it became very clear why the <strong>ocean is not the same as the sea<\/strong>.<br>Even though the boat was fairly large, it was tossed around like a matchbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the two hours we spent searching for whales, every 8\u201310 seconds a big wave would lift the boat a few meters and drop it back down.<br>Out of the 30 people on board, about 7 asked for barf bags within the first 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, <strong>about half the passengers were seasick<\/strong>, sitting green-faced and nauseous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helpful tip:<\/strong><br>Besides motion sickness pills, here are two essential things that can help prevent you from, well&#8230; throwing up (sorry, but it\u2019s the truth):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sit at the back of the boat (the stern)<\/strong> \u2013 it\u2019s the most stable area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t sit facing backward.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try to <strong>keep your head still<\/strong>, pick a spot on the horizon and focus on it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t look at your phone or read<\/strong>, or you\u2019ll be seasick in under 30 seconds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t eat anything for 2 hours before the trip<\/strong>, and don\u2019t eat during the ride.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>About 30\u201340 minutes in, we spotted our first pair of whales. Here\u2019s how it typically happens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lookout on the upper deck yells \u201cWHALES!\u201d and points in a direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then all 30 people <strong>rush to that side of the boat<\/strong> in unison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A minute later someone spots whales in the other direction\u2014and everyone rushes over there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this happens amid waves, rocking, and seasick passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hold on tight<\/strong>, and <strong>keep a firm grip on your phone<\/strong>\u2014dropping it overboard is way too easy in this chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/capitan-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"humpback whales in the dominican republic\" class=\"wp-image-811\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This is what our whale spotter looked like. He also happened to be the captain.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Interesting to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>In the end, we saw <strong>lots of whales<\/strong>, some swimming as close as 5 meters (16 feet) from the boat. One male even breached right out of the water\u2014it\u2019s part of their mating ritual.<br>Unfortunately, I didn\u2019t get it on video.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Be aware: <strong>Children under 12 are not allowed<\/strong> on these tours due to the rough seas. Even adults get thrown around the deck. A child would probably be tossed overboard by the second wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Bacardi Island in Saman\u00e1 Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two hours later, our semi-dazed \u201cdream team\u201d was dropped off at <strong>Bacardi Island<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what to expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lunch is free<\/strong>, usually served about two hours after arrival.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Everything else costs extra<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Beach loungers<\/strong> require payment, but you can lie on your towel for free.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drinks<\/strong>, alcoholic or not, are <strong>not included<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There\u2019s a <strong>decent public restroom<\/strong>, which <strong>is free<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Bacardi Beach only looks like paradise in the ads.<br>In reality, when you arrive, <strong>there\u2019ll be about 500 people<\/strong> from all the different boats. So it\u2019s more like <strong>Miami Beach or Barcelona in high season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/themes\/maktub\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/baccrdi-dnem-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"all about whales in the Dominican Republic\" class=\"wp-image-810\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Bacardi Beach.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our boat came <strong>about 30 minutes later than scheduled<\/strong> to pick us up, but that\u2019s normal here. <strong>Tranquilo, amigo<\/strong> \u2013 relax and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Another tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>Originally, we wanted <strong>just the whale watching<\/strong>, without stopping at Bacardi Island. We weren\u2019t interested in a crowded beach, and we\u2019d already seen plenty of stunning beaches elsewhere in the Dominican Republic.<br>The tour seller promised us that <strong>our boat would take us back to Saman\u00e1<\/strong> right after the whale part was done.<br>Yeah, right. Everyone went to Bacardi Island\u2014including us.<br>We were na\u00efve, but this is typical in the Dominican Republic.<br>That\u2019s why it\u2019s often better to <strong>book through a reputable tour service<\/strong>\u2014they\u2019re more reliable.<br>We linked the best options earlier.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read more about other <a href=\"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/tours-in-the-dominican-republic\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3033\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dominican tours<\/a> in the full review article here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, <strong>humpback whales are definitely in Saman\u00e1 during February<\/strong>, off the coast of the Saman\u00e1 Peninsula, in Saman\u00e1 Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you <strong>buy a tour at the pier<\/strong>, it\u2019ll cost around <strong>$70 per person<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you book through an <strong>agency with transfer<\/strong>, prices range from <strong>$100\u2013130<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From Punta Cana or B\u00e1varo, it can be as much as <strong>$200<\/strong>, due to the long distance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you <strong>don\u2019t have a rental car<\/strong>, arranging everything yourself might actually be <strong>more expensive<\/strong> and complicated.<br>In that case, a <strong>ready-made excursion with transport and meals included<\/strong> is the better\u2014and easier\u2014option, especially if you&#8217;re staying far from Saman\u00e1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case\u2014<strong>where else can you see wild humpback whales in their natural habitat?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wishing you an unforgettable adventure and the thrill of seeing whales leap out of the ocean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Dominican Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#f9f9fe\" class=\"wp-block-list has-background\">\n<li>Cheap <a href=\"https:\/\/wayaway.tp.st\/SqsrSAWR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flights <\/a>and best deals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Car rental<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/discovercars.tp.st\/lBCEzBgK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DiscoverCars <\/a>&#8211; a largest international resource<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hotels and apartments<\/strong>: \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tp.st\/OIDVoxwH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tripadvisor<\/a> &#8211;  compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trip.tp.st\/QtVoKJPw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trip.com<\/a> &#8211; large online booking platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vacation packages:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/cheapoair.tp.st\/WDlbNsCp\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cheapoair.tp.st\/WDlbNsCp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CheapOair <\/a>&#8211; cheap packages from all US cities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tours, excursions and extreme activities<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/getyourguide.tp.st\/fWjwGLkY\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/getyourguide.tp.st\/fWjwGLkY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GetYourGuide<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; more than 800+ tours and water activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/viator.tp.st\/jyhmEFoJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Viator <\/a>&#8211; 3500+ tours and excursions in Dominican.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comprehensive travel insurance<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ektatraveling.tp.st\/QQjOEEzh\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ektatraveling.tp.st\/QQjOEEzh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EKTA<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internet and Calls<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/airalo.tp.st\/NJNYnJTZ\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/airalo.tp.st\/NJNYnJTZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Airalo &#8211; eSIM<\/a><\/strong> with internet package.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drimsim.tp.st\/V4snAwKS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drimsim<\/a> &#8211; universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Taxis and airport transfers<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/intui.tp.st\/CpsMuhaB\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/intui.tp.st\/CpsMuhaB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Intui.Travel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everything you need to know before your trip, including a detailed guide about whales in the Dominican Republic and how to see these magnificent creatures&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=793"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8347,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793\/revisions\/8347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel-4-fun.com\/dominicana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}