3-Hour Short Bay Cruise

Overview

This three-hour cruise with Moto Marina Tours leaves from a private dock in Samaná and heads out into the Bay of Samaná in search of humpback whales. The bay is a winter gathering place for the whales during mating season, and the boat travels as far as the Marine Mammal Sanctuary before turning back. A specialized guide is on board throughout, and drinks plus coconut slices are handed out during the trip.

The schedule is simple. You meet at the tour office on Av. La Marina 3, walk to the dock with the rest of the group and the staff, and depart at 9:30 am. The return to the dock is around 1:30 pm. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers need to make their own way to the meeting point.

The tour runs for 3 hours, which makes it a shorter option for time on the water. Reviewers of this exact trip have described whales jumping several times and a crew that made sure not to disturb the animals. Note that lunch is not part of the package, so plan to eat afterwards.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the tour officeGather at Av. La Marina 3, Samaná 32000, and join the group and staff at the dock.
2. Board the speedboatDepart from the private dock in Samaná at 9:30 am.
3. Cruise the Bay of SamanáTravel through the bay in search of humpback whales, with a guide on board and snacks and drinks served during the ride.
4. Samaná Marine Mammal SanctuaryContinue to the sanctuary, where the whales and other aquatic wildlife can be observed.
5. Return by speedboatCruise back across the bay, arriving at the dock around 1:30 pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of the morning.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included. The meeting point is the tour office on Av. La Marina 3 in Samaná, so allow time to arrive before the 9:30 am departure.
• Food and drink. Coconut slices, water and soft drinks are provided on board. A buffet lunch is not included, so plan for your own meal.
• Guide languages. The tour runs in English, Spanish, French and German. One reviewer specifically praised a guide who explained things in both German and English, and several others described the guides as informative.
• Weather. Rain can happen, and one reviewer noted a partly rainy trip. The operator cannot control conditions, so conditions on the day may vary.
• Whale behaviour. Multiple travellers described whales very close to the boat, and some saw whales jumping several times. Sightings are wild animals in their own habitat, so displays vary.
• Cameras. Reviews mention whales appearing near the boat and breaching, so many travellers will want a camera or phone at hand on the boat.

Common issues. The tour depends on the whales showing up, and while many travellers reported close sightings, nature offers no guarantees. Weather is another variable, and one reviewer had a rainy trip. One reviewer also raised a wider concern about whale watching in the area, saying boats from other companies raced at full speed toward the whales, though the same reviewer found this crew respectful. Finally, there is no buffet lunch and no hotel pickup, so both meals and transport to the dock are on you.

Common Questions