I wanted to take the kids whale watching in Samana at the end of January but I'm concerned about the length of the trip and if there are other things to do also in addition to the whale watching.
One thing that concerns me regarding the whale watching tour is that it says that it is 3-4 hours....this cannot possibly mean that we will sit there and look at whales for 3-4 hours right? There has to be something else that they are doing because my kids would not go for that. Maybe 45 minutes, an hour tops, but 3-4 hours? Looking at whales?
Has anyone ever taken one of these tours?
Second, where can we stay that is like an AI resort that is clean and decent? Preferably on the beach.
Third, driving from Santiago, approximately how long is the drive? Is the drive considered through fairly safe areas?
Thanks for any insight.
SHALENA
Having been out 3 times whale watching from Samana.......my answer is a resounding yes. But what you see depends on pure luck. On all three occasions we saw whales but the first visit was the most memorable with whales leaping out of the water just lie those classic shots you see posted by photographers. The other times you saw whales rolling around nearby.
Your trip time depends on the boat or perhaps package you choose. On my three trips I drove to Samana from LT and parked my car on the Malecon and you get approached immediately by touts offering you this or that trip. I started my trips late...mid morning.....but it was easy to negotiate a boat trip. You pay the park fee separately from the boat trip at the pier.
My first trip was in a slow boat and that took for ever to get to the far end of the peninsula in the middle of the bay, but we hung around for maybe half hour and saw plenty before returning to Cayo Levantado for a stop over on the public beach and I strongly recommend against this unless you like the company of tourists. Too long in a slow boat.
The second trip was a tour boat with about twenty seats and once full they set off and it takes perhaps half an hour to where there should be whales. The boats are all in contact and if whales are spotted all the boats head in that location. Getting close to the whales is well organized between boats and each boat is allowed close one at a time whilst the others circle. The whales pop up all around you, so you may be looking ahead and they appear behind. again you get about 20 minutes watching and then they go back to the Cayo but we declined and went back to port and off to Playa La Valle for lunch and afternoon chill on Samana's secret best beach.
The third trip was in a private hire boat which was the size of a Boston Whaler and offered best value imo since the aim was to go see whales and get back. Hope this all helps.
As for hotels you can check out portals and decide. The AI in Samana which overlooks the town is expensive I believe.....Bahia Principe Samana.......the one on the Cayo is adults only.
There is a thread on the drive from STI to Las Terrenas. Basically you drive on Duarte to Santo Domingo and about 10km after La Vega you turn to at El Pino to SFM and then pick up route 132 to Castillo and to Nagua and there take route 5 to Samana. You can shorten the journey by turning off 132 in El Abanico to Villa Riva and turn there to Arenoso and onto the Samana highway. To Samana allow 4.5 hours. Typical Cibao roads and DR driving!
As always I will encourage anyone visiting Samana to find time for a daytrip to Parque Los Haitises.
