ADVICE for SAMANA whale and Los Haitises Park boat trips

[latitude19]

Hello, My parents are coming and soon will be going to Samana. Looking for advice on, really, a private tour operator for a whale trip and Los Haitises Park with an EXCELLENT GUIDE who speaks English well. Budget is around 1000 per trip, but would like to spend less.

When my dad was here last time we went with a fairly good tour company to see Los Haitises, (with good guide) but then afterwards were taken to the tourist trap Cayo Levantado. Would rather spend an entire day at Los Haitises, and have a private tour if possible for both the park and whales.

Oh- also my mom would like to do a bit of walking, such as to a beach or in a heavily forested area. Anybody done a walking tour that they thought was good in Samana?? thanks!!!! tom

 

[Ken]

Send an email to Kim Beddall. You can tell her that Ken suggested you contact her. Tell her what you want and ask her to make a recommendation. Her email address is kim.beddall@usa.net Kim is Canadian and the founder of whale watching in Samana Bay. But in your message, make clear you don't want to go on the normal tour but want to be able to do the things you described in your post here.

 

[latitude19]

Thanks a lot Ken- I will do just that!!! ..tom

Send an email to Kim Beddall. You can tell her that Ken suggested you contact her. Tell her what you want and ask her to make a recommendation. Her email address is kim.beddall@usa.net Kim is Canadian and the founder of whale watching in Samana Bay. But in your message, make clear you don't want to go on the normal tour but want to be able to do the things you described in your post here.

 

[LaLouve]

A great program! Enjoy! I kept a great memory of the visit to Los Haitises.

 

[jonvelas]

Samana Whale Watching Tour + Los Haitises Boat Trip / Private tour Guide in Samana

I have been living in the small town of Samana for 2 years now. I basically know everybody here in town.

The first person that comes to mind is Gregory Mejia, a licensed private tour guide here in Samana.
He speaks excellent English, perfect Spanish and pretty good French and German languages.
I saw that he charges a flat rate of $20 u.s. per hour for his services for Custom Made Tours.

You can Google him and find him easily on the Web.

Enjoy our Beautiful Region of Samana !

 

[donP]

Boat

I basically know everybody here in town.
The first person that comes to mind is Gregory Mejia, a licensed private tour guide here in Samana.

Does he own a boat?
How many does the boat seat?

donP

 

[jonvelas]

Gregory Mejia - Private Tour Guide in Samana

No, Gregory does not own any boats.

He is a very small Tour Operator with a small overhead, that explains why his Tour Prices are so low.
Depending on the size of your group he will sub-rent an embarcation ( Boats from 18 foot to 35 foot )
and also depending on the weather if there are waves or not in the Bay of Samana that day.

The best is to get in touch with him and create your own Custom Made Tour.
He has some great online REVIEWS from everybody that have used his services.

Just Google his name to see what people are saying about him.

Great guy, friendly and very dependable. :squareeye

 

[JaraChica]

Thanks for the great tips! I'll be using them to plan our first whale watching trip!

 

[vlokje]

los haitisis and the whales

I am a licenced tourguide in Samana,have been for 20 years.There are various possibilities for the whales and Los Haitisis.For instance theree is also a walk through Los Haitisis that not too many people do or know .The costs depends on what you want to do.If you are interested send me a private mail.
Vlokje

 

[agw]

I was out with Kim Beddall today and had a fantastic experience! We saw a lone male first which by itself was awesome, before having opportunity to view the largest surface active group of 1 female and 7 male humpback whales seen yet this season. I am truly awed by how magnificent they were.

Kim's excursion was so professional in two languages - English and French(because of the group on board today) as well as German and Spanish speaking staff on board.

I have been on similar excursions in Europe and this was the best so far in terms of comfort, information, refreshments, takeaway brochures, general professionalism and of course actual sightings and opportunity to see the species up close and with opportunity for all on board to see well. I have some super photos and video from today!

I have no hesitation to recommend this excursion to anyone. I especially liked the way they cared for those less able to move around freely. There were a number of elderly and mobility compromised persons on board and all were safely and professionally assisted.

 

[gotkidswilltravel]

My family of five went with Flora Tours to Los Haitises and liked it very much. The owner is French and attracts many French speaking tourists, but he had a Dominican guide who spoke great English and gave great information for the English speakers (and one German family). The boat captain did not speak English, but was somewhat engaged with the crowd, gave our son and another child the opportunity to sit and "pilot" the boat with him. We went on a motor boat that accomodated about 20 people, got out of the boat at least three times within the park to walk and explore, had one brief opportunity to swim in the park, saw birds, went into several caves. There was one snack break at a small beach area with picnic table and decent latrines. There was a good lunch buffet at the end of the tour, once we'd crossed the bay. We were all quite hungry by then and wondered why lunch wasn't a little earlier, but they said they used to do it in the park but changed it because people sometimes then lost their lunch on the bumpy boat ride back! We took a Flora Tours shuttle from Last Terrenas to Sanchez, and the driver was very careful, friendly, and spoke some English. Left with a very warm feeling about the people we'd met and the places we'd seen.

 

[jonvelas]

Samana Whale Watching and Los Haitises Caves & Mangroves National Park Boat Tours

Right here in the Town of Samana we have a few Tour Operators who have their own BOATS and offers both Excursions - Whale Watching & Los Haitises

1) Marivanna Tours
2) Moto Marina Club
3) Kim Beddall / Whale Watching Only

They are all easy to find, and they all have their own websites - just Google them.

Jon