12-Hour Santo Domingo Day

Overview

This is a long day out of Santo Domingo built around one big draw: whale watching in Samana Bay. An air-conditioned coach collects you at your hotel early in the morning and covers the roughly 2-hour transfer to Samana. After a photo stop at the sign by the bay, you board a boat with a specialized guide and head out on the water, with water and a light snack served on board.

The sea portion ends at Bacardi Island, also called Cayo Levantado, where the group gets a beach club, a typical lunch, and free time to swim among colorful fish. In the early afternoon the boat returns to the Samana pier and the coach takes everyone back to their hotels in Santo Domingo. The full experience runs about 12 hours, so it suits travellers who are happy with an early start and a full day away from the capital.

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, the guided whale watching, and lunch on the island are all part of the package. Tips and gratuities are not. Guiding is available in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupEarly morning pickup at your hotel in Santo Domingo from one of two pickup location options, in air-conditioned transport.
2. Coach to SamanaA journey of about 2 hours by bus or coach from Santo Domingo to the Samana peninsula.
3. Samaná BoardwalkA photo stop at the sign located in the bay before boarding the boat.
4. Whale watchingA boat trip through Samana Bay with a specialized guide, with water and a light snack served on board.
5. Bacardi IslandTime at the island beach club with a typical lunch and free time to swim. The island is also listed as Cayo Levantado.
6. Return and drop-offThe boat returns to the Samana pier in the early afternoon, where transport waits for the ride back to two drop-off locations.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan for a smooth day, since this tour packs a coach ride, a boat trip, and an island stop into one outing.

• Early start. Pickup happens early in the morning and the whole tour runs about 12 hours. Plan for a full day away from your hotel and an early alarm.
• Long transfers. The drive from Santo Domingo to Samana takes about 2 hours each way, in air-conditioned transport. Bring something to pass the time on the coach.
• Food and drink. A light snack and water are provided on the boat, and a typical lunch is served at the beach club on Bacardi Island. Tips and gratuities are not included, so carry some cash if you want to tip staff.
• Swimming and sun. Pack swimwear, a towel, and sun protection.
• Language. The tour is offered in English, Spanish, Italian, and French. If you need a specific language, check availability on the booking page before reserving.
• On the boat. A light layer can help with wind and spray on the crossing.

Common issues. The day is long, roughly 12 hours door to door, with two coach legs of about 2 hours each, which will not suit everyone. Tips and gratuities are excluded.

Common Questions