Whale-watching boats are authorized to leave Samana port starting 14 January. The excursions offer wonderful views of the Samana coastline and take tourists out to sea for a chance to spot the enormous mammals. Whale-watching usually continues through the end of March. Thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the waters off the Dominican Republic each winter to mate and give birth and one of their most popular gathering places is Samana Bay.
More than 1,500 humpbacks visit the bay, with as many as 300 present at any given time during mating season. Several companies offer excursions that can be booked from operators in the Samana city center or from excursion desks at most hotels.