Excursions to see the humpback whales will begin in Samana Bay the week of January 14. Excursions can be booked with one of the boat companies in Samana for approximately US$39, or through one of the tour companies that offices in all tourist areas. The largest, best known of these tour companies are Turinter, Coco Tours, Ultramar, Iberdom and Hola Tours. They charge more because they include transportation and at least one meal.
Getting to Samana on your own is not difficult. Renting a car is one option. Taking a modern, air-conditioned bus is another. Both Metro and Caribe Tours have regular bus service between Santo Domingo and Samana, and Caribe Tour has one bus a day from Puerto Plata/Sosua. The buses are very comfortable and the cost is far less than renting a car.
A variety of hotels of different sizes and degrees of luxury are available in the Samana area: in the city, at Las Galeras Beach, inbetween the two at Hotel Gran Bahia, and at Las Terrenas. There is no central booking office, but a call to Victoria Marine/Whale Samana (809-538-2494) will give you hotel names and phone numbers.
Keeping in mind that though the inner bay looks calm from the city pier, the outer bay--where the whales are--is often rough in the winter, the best boats for the excursion are provided by Victoria Marine/Whale Samana (809) 538-2494; Transporte Maritimo Minadiel (809) 538-2556; and Moto Marina (809) 538-2302. Also, the captains of the boats owned by these companies are best as far observing the regulations for observing the whales in the Samana Bay Marine Sanctuary.
Getting to Samana on your own is not difficult. Renting a car is one option. Taking a modern, air-conditioned bus is another. Both Metro and Caribe Tours have regular bus service between Santo Domingo and Samana, and Caribe Tour has one bus a day from Puerto Plata/Sosua. The buses are very comfortable and the cost is far less than renting a car.
A variety of hotels of different sizes and degrees of luxury are available in the Samana area: in the city, at Las Galeras Beach, inbetween the two at Hotel Gran Bahia, and at Las Terrenas. There is no central booking office, but a call to Victoria Marine/Whale Samana (809-538-2494) will give you hotel names and phone numbers.
Keeping in mind that though the inner bay looks calm from the city pier, the outer bay--where the whales are--is often rough in the winter, the best boats for the excursion are provided by Victoria Marine/Whale Samana (809) 538-2494; Transporte Maritimo Minadiel (809) 538-2556; and Moto Marina (809) 538-2302. Also, the captains of the boats owned by these companies are best as far observing the regulations for observing the whales in the Samana Bay Marine Sanctuary.