Lunch By Locals

Overview

This trip pairs two of Samana's best known draws: whale watching from a boat and time on Cayo Levantado, the island also called Bacardi Island. The Whales Las Ballenas runs the experience. The tour is capped at 20 travellers.

The day follows a simple shape. Travellers meet at the operator's office in Samana town, on C. Mella 4 behind the Santorino Restaurant, then head out on the water to watch whales. The crew gives the group time around the animals and moves the boat to try for better views. Afterwards the boat continues to Cayo Levantado, where white sand beaches and views across the bay are the main event, and the pace is relaxed rather than rushed.

Lunch is a typical Samana meal, cooked by locals, and all fees and taxes are folded into the booking price. Alcoholic drinks and hotel pickup are not included, though a transfer to the meeting point can be arranged for an extra cost paid locally. It suits travellers who want whales, a beach and a proper local lunch in one outing, and who can make their own way to the meeting point. It does not suit wheelchair users.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the officeMeet at the Whale Samana office on C. Mella 4 in Samana, behind the new Santorino Restaurant. A transfer to the meeting point is available for an extra cost if needed.
2. Whale watching boat tripHead out on the water to watch whales. The crew gives the group time around the animals and repositions to try for better views.
3. Cayo Levantado beach timeSail to Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island, for beach time with white sand and views toward Samana. One reviewer described the stop as unhurried, with plenty of time to relax.
4. Typical local lunchSit down to a typical lunch from Samana, prepared by locals. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the booking.
5. Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at the office where it started.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this whale and island day.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included. The meeting point is the operator's office on C. Mella 4 in Samana, behind the Santorino Restaurant, and the tour starts and finishes there. A transfer can be arranged for an extra cost.
• What you eat. Lunch is included and is a typical Samana meal. One reviewer called the food and atmosphere amazing. Alcoholic drinks are extra.
• Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 20 travellers. The reviewer who praised Barbara, Adolfo and their staff highlighted the attention the crew gave the group.
• Pace and mobility. The beach portion is not rushed, with plenty of time to relax according to a reviewer. The trip is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infants can sit on laps, with infant seats available.
• Weather window. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, a different date or a full refund is offered, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
• Seas and comfort. Whale watching means time on open water, so dress for sun and spray and bring whatever you need to be comfortable on a boat. Travellers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions should not join.

Common issues. There are a few limits worth weighing. Hotel pickup is not included, so anyone staying outside Samana town needs to arrange their own way to the office or pay extra for a transfer. The trip is not wheelchair accessible. It also depends on a minimum number of travellers and on good weather; if either condition is not met, the operator offers a different date, a different experience, or a full refund rather than the tour going ahead. Alcoholic drinks cost extra at lunch.

Common Questions