The 15 Best Samana Tours & Boat Trips

1.Zipline Adventure in El Limón

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · from $75Our pick

Ride 10 zipline cables between 20 forest platforms near El Limón, with views toward the Samaná Peninsula, Haitises National Park, and Cayo Levantado. You get hotel pickup, equipment, drinks, and guide supervision. Guides may include Chocolate and his brother.

“We really enjoyed the Zipline Adventure! We were picked up slightly later than planned but I think this was my fault because I left it until the day before to arrange our pick up. It was raining quite heavily but we were able to wait at their hRead more”

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2.Los Haitises National Park & Cayo Levantado Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 214 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $60

Travel by catamaran or boat from Samaná to Los Haitises National Park for mangroves, limestone islands, and Taíno cave art. Visit Cueva de la Arena, toast at the cave, then enjoy a Dominican buffet and beach time at Cayo Levantado. Guides speak English, Spanish, and French.

“Excellent activity and treatment. A 100% recommend to all who are interested!”

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3.Whale Watching and Cayo Levantado Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 159 reviews · 7 hours · from $77

Join Moto Marina Tours for a 7-hour catamaran and speedboat outing from Samaná. Scan the marine sanctuary for humpback whales with English- or Spanish-speaking guides such as Ileana, then enjoy buffet lunch and 2.5 hours on Cayo Levantado, with drinks, coconut, and snacks included.

“Was an amazing experience, we want to particularly thank Alfonso, captain (Nobel), robertico and the whole team that made this possible. Don’t miss this opportunity and join the adventure!!”

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4.Bay of Samana Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 97 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Set out from Moto Marina in Samaná for a guided whale-watching trip through the bay and Marine Mammal Sanctuary. You will spend about two and a half hours searching for humpback whales, with coconut, water, and soft drinks provided. Guides speak English, Spanish, French, and German.

“The trip was great. The guide was informative and helpful. We saw many whales very close to our boat. We all had a great time!”

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5.El Limón: Waterfall Horseriding Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 83 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $49

Ride a horse through Samaná’s tropical forest to El Limón Waterfall, then swim in its freshwater pool and eat lunch with local hosts. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead the route, which suits all levels. Transfers are not included, and private groups are available.

“Quite an adventure. Lots of fun! The horses are the rock stars here. Beautiful landscapes along the way. Lunch was yummy. Be sure to take cash for tips!”

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6.Private Coffee Trail ATV Tour in Samana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 4 hours · from $95

Join guide Vincent for a four-hour private ATV ride from Las Terrenas into Samaná’s countryside. Follow coffee roads, visit a family farm, taste organic coffee, cacao, and honey, then cool off at a mangrove-fringed beach. One ATV seats two people.

“Vincent was an excellent guide. He spoke English which was a plus. He went above and beyond for us. A must when you are here in Las Terrenas!”

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7.Fronton & Madame Beach tour Las Galeras

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 47 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $73

From Playa Grande, you take a 20-minute boat ride to Playa Frontón and Playa Madama, with time to swim and snorkel. The day ends at Playita with fish, rice, tostones, salad, and drinks. Guides speak English and Spanish, and the excursion runs from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

“Sinceramente l'unica cosa positiva è stata playa fronton. Non so per quale motivo viene caricata sul sito l'escursione per vedere due spiagge a 60€ se poi ti caricano in barca con chi ha pagato per vederne 3. Il problema è stato infatti, che subito dopo mangiato, noi siamo stati abbandonati in un punto lontano rispetto a dove il tour ha avuto inizio e quindi, dove la macchina era stata parcheggiata. Gli altri hanno ripreso l'escursione mentre noi abbiamo dovuto percorrere km sotto il sole delle 2. Pagare 60€ è una follia, a maggior ragione visto il servizio. La guida non aveva proprio voglia di essere lì. Imbarcazione minuscola e stretta…”

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8.Cayo Levantado Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 7 hours · from $28

Join Moto Marina Tours at 9:30 AM for a boat ride from Samaná to Cayo Levantado, known as Bacardi Island. You get about six and a half hours on the beach for swimming, photos, walking, shopping, and lunch before returning at 4:30 PM. Guides speak English and Spanish.

“Dans la description, il est mentionné un tour en catamaran afin d’atteindre l’île. Nous ne sommes jamais montés sur le catamaran donc il s’agit simplement d’un transfert jusqu’à l’île. Nous avons aimé le lieu mais pas du tout l’organisation.”

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9.Visit Samana, Los Haitises Park, and Cayo Levantado Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 24 reviews · 7 - 12 hours · from $5

Travel from Samaná to Los Haitises by boat, visit caves marked with Taíno art, then enjoy lunch and free time on Cayo Levantado. An English or Spanish guide leads the day, with French also reported on some departures. Hotel pickup may begin at 6:00 am.

“Visitar el Parque Nacional Los Haitises fue una experiencia mágica, navegando entre formaciones naturales y aprendiendo sobre su riqueza ecológica. Finalizar el día en Cayo Levantado, con su playa tranquila y paisaje caribeño, hizo del tour una vivencia completa y memorable.”

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10.Los Haitises Boat and Walking Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 23 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $69

Cruise Los Haitises’ mangrove islets, walk through caves filled with indigenous pictographs and petroglyphs, then eat a Dominican buffet on Cayo Levantado. Guides speak English, French, and Spanish. Alex has led this trip, though group size and language coverage can vary.

“L'organisation est tres moyenne. Le rdv au point était correct. On nous a emmené à l'embarcadère. De là on a été regroupés avec d'autres. Nous avions 1 guide pour 46 pers. Il a fait la visite en 3 langues. Félicitations à lui ! Mais forcément ça ne peut pas être approfondi. Nous avons visité les grottes qui sont relativement bien aménagées. Il faut prévoir au moins une lampe de téléphone parce que les passages ne sont pas éclairés. On nous a ensuite conduit à Cayo Levantado. Les groupes étaient rassemblés suivant leur organisateur. Notre guide ne savait qui était le nôtre. Nous avons été rajouté au hasard à d'autres. Le…”

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11.Los Haitises Kayaks & Caño Hondo Pools Tour w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 22 reviews · 1 day · from $85

From Samaná Port, take the public ferry to Sabana de la Mar, then ride to Los Haitises for guided kayaking, a Dominican lunch, and a stop at Caño Hondo Pools. Guide Albert has led some departures. Expect lovely scenery, moderate paddling, and a long travel day.

“Siamo partiti con la barca che impiega un’ora e mezza ad arrivare da Samaná al parco, poi c’è stato il trasporto in macchina e l’incontro con la guida. L’attività quindi è iniziata con il kayak intorno alle 11:30. Interessante la parte in acqua tra le mangrovie e le scogliere. Poi c’è stata la visita alla grotta, il pranzo e la visita a Caño Honda che altro non è che una serie di piscine costruite lungo un fiume: niente di naturale! Siamo poi tornati con il bus a prendere la barca e abbiamo aggiunto di tasca nostra la differenza per prendere la barca veloce. A parte la visita in canoa il…”

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12.Samana Bay Private Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 21 reviews · 20 minutes - 10 hours · from $2Best value

Leave your Punta Cana hotel by private transport for a Samana Bay cruise with a captain and guide in English, French, or Spanish. Watch for humpback whales, then eat a Dominican buffet at Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island, and swim before choosing your return time.

“Barbara was so professional organising today as our original trip was cancelled due to adverse weather. We had moved resorts and she put it all together in a short time . It was brilliant and we were so lucky to see the whales . The team was amazing and customer service is spot on”

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13.Whale Watching and Cayo Levantado Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 21 reviews · 1 - 7 hours · from $6

Meet at Samaná’s Malecón at 9:30 AM for a guided boat trip into Samaná Bay, where you watch whales in their natural habitat. Then spend free time on Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island, with beach access, lunch, volleyball, and a return to Samaná around 4:30 PM.

“Really kind guides. We saw two whales and it was unforgettable experience. After watching the whales, we went on Cayo Levantado, where we had good lunch (at extra cost 10$). Then we had free time to spend on the island and beach. After that we came back at 15:30. Really good tour on whole day!”

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14.Whale Watching and Cayo Levantado Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 21 reviews · 1 - 10 hours · from $6

Meet at Samaná’s Malecón at 8:30 AM for a boat trip with whale watching, coastal views, and a typical Dominican lunch on Cayo Levantado. Guides may include Pablo Pima Colada and Captain Mario. Expect a full day, shared-boat conditions, and no swimming with the whales.

“The whale watching tour was well-organized and the boat was fine but I found two parts to be disappointing. The first is that the date scheduled was before most of the whales arrive. There can be up to 300 whales in the bay but at this point there were only three. Does it make sense to schedule a tour when there are so few whales? Second, the majority of the time is spent on Cayo Levantado, which has a nice enough beach but is much less interesting than seeing whales. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. Regardless, the guides were professional, friendly, and helpful.”

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15.El Limón Waterfall Trekking Tour in Samana

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $65

Join Vincent from KITEWORLD for a four-hour trip from Las Terrenas to El Limón Waterfall. Walk shaded jungle paths, cross shallow streams, swim beneath the falls, and try local cacao, coffee, or Mamajuana. The early start helps you enjoy the pool before the crowds.

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