Dominican Republic · WHALE WATCHING TOURS IN PUNTA CANA
This is the shortlist you would send a friend flying out next month: 6 whale watching tours in Punta Cana worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the thing to know before you commit.
Leave Punta Cana early for Samaná’s seasonal whale watching, Limón Waterfall, a Dominican lunch, and 90 minutes at Cayo Levantado. You may walk or ride a horse to the falls. Guides speak English and Spanish, with multilingual guides such as Andrii sometimes available.
“Rapporto qualità-prezzo ottimo, posto paradisiaco e personale cordiale e preparato. Ci ritornerei volentieri.”
From Punta Cana, sail across Samaná Bay to look for humpback whales, then ride a horse for about 30 minutes through tropical farmland to El Limón Waterfall. Plan on a very long day, about 13 hours, with roughly 10 hours spent in transport. Pickup is included.
“Watching the whales was worth the trip. It was amazing to watch them so close! If I had to do this again, I would choose one excursion without the Lemon Cascade. The Lemon Cascade is beautiful too, but you have to walk up and down 280 steps each way, and for me it would have been better to stop in a beach instead.”
Spend about 12 hours traveling from Punta Cana, Bávaro, or Uvero Alto to Samaná for humpback whale watching, Cayo Levantado, and El Limón waterfall. The day includes breakfast, lunch, drinks, boat transport, a horseback ride, and guides in five languages, but expect long transfers and a wet, busy schedule.
“Pickup from my hotel at 6:30am was smooth, but we spent long stretches waiting and driving between stops before reaching the boat dock. We arrived at the dock at 915am. Breakfast was a ham sandwich and fruit. Whale watching was rough due to choppy water, and we saw very few whales. We spent an hour on Saona Island with pushy photographers. Expect to pay $40–50 USD for photos. Lunch is a mainland buffet with great food, but it’s the last meal. You’re shuttled to the waterfall/“horseback” ride, where attendants repeatedly ask for tips, including $50 for the volunteer and animal. You spend ~30 minutes at the waterfall, then ride back.…”
Travel from Punta Cana to Samaná by bus and boat, ride through jungle to El Limón Waterfall, eat a Dominican lunch, and cruise to Cayo Levantado. Whale watching is seasonal, mainly January through March. Guides speak English, French, and Spanish.
“El anuncio dice que veras ballenas, pero el guia nos indico que solo es de Enero a Marzo. Aún asi, la excursión es increible, mismo si fuimos con publicidad engañosa. La recomiendo en cualquier epoca del año, mejor que punta cana o isla Saona. Verdaderamente increible!!”
Travel from Punta Cana to Miches for a catamaran whale-watching cruise, then ride a safari truck up Montaña Redonda. You’ll have breakfast at the pier, lunch with an Atlantic view, and time to use the mountain swings. Guides speak English, French, and Spanish.
“I really liked the excursión. The transportation, organising and everything was excellent!”
Leave Punta Cana early for Samaná Bay, where a 2.5-hour boat trip offers a chance to see humpback whales from January through March. Then enjoy a Dominican buffet at Bacardí Island, with an option for horseback riding to Salto El Limón or a safari truck ride to Playa Rincón.
“The guide Christelle was very professional! I have never seen someone be able to navigate through languages so seamlessly! She knew her information very well and was great at handling things and keeping us all in check and order. She explained things correctly and multiple times to ensure all participants understood. Very impressed by her. The pick up from the hotel was done very well and punctual as well. The boat however was very rocky (the weather conditions weren’t ideal) and so be warned and prepared before going on! It gets wet too so plan accordingly. We were able to see a couple of whales and it was wonderful. The…”
Pick a coast, a cave or a boat.
