Hi Redberry,
If you walk 10ft, after getting off the Caribe bus from Santo Domingo, without being ask 10 times to go for a whale watching tour, it's a miracle at this time of the year. Every one will try to sell you a tour, or know a place where you could whale watch "Land Base", be inform in advance(do a search on Google for Samana Whales) and follow Ken's advice on contacting Kim Bedall(they are not cheap).
For decent accommodations at reasonable prices try any of Casa de Huespedes in town, majority are located on a street in front of Bomberos. See
www.samana.net accommodations section for more details. If you speak Spanish will have no problem finding a goood deal on accommodations and book a tour at a decent price.
2 weeks ago, we stay in town for 3 days, at a terific place, on a hill, with a panoramic view of the bay, PM me for Tel number of this place(owner speak Spanish only).
Have a great time in Samana
WebDev