11 To 13 Hour Day

Overview

This is a long day out from Puerto Plata that combines whale watching on Samana Bay with beach time on Cayo Levantado, running 11 to 13 hours door to door. Eric Tours International handles the whole chain: hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast on the way, a boat out onto the bay, a Dominican-style lunch, and roughly two hours on the island beach before the return drive.

The core of the day is the nine hours allocated to Samana Bay, most of which covers travel, the boat ride and the whale watching itself. Reviewers regularly report sightings, some quite close to the boat, and one described seeing a family of humpbacks. The trip then continues to Cayo Levantado, where the water is clear and there is shade under the trees, though drinks and beach chairs there cost extra.

It suits travellers who want the full excursion experience without organising anything themselves, and who can tolerate a lot of sitting on a bus. The group is capped at 15 travellers, though a few reviewers describe crowded boats. It is not a good fit for anyone with back problems, given the long transfers, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in Puerto PlataPickup and drop-off at your hotel are included. Contact the operator after booking for the exact departure time.
2. Stops in Sosua and CabareteThe itinerary lists a 10-minute stop in Sosua and a 10-minute stop in Cabarete, both free of charge.
3. Samana Bay, 9 hoursAdmission is included. The block covers the drive to the bay, the whale watching by boat, and lunch. Reviewers mention a swimming stop after lunch as well.
4. Cayo Levantado Beach, 2 hoursAdmission is included. Two hours on the island beach. Drinks and chair rentals here are paid separately. One reviewer described a beach stop on this tour with no shower, which kept them out of the water.
5. Return and hotel drop-offThe bus heads back along the coast and drops everyone at their hotels, closing out the 11 to 13 hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

• It is long. Reviewers repeatedly warn that this is an all day event with lots of driving. One described an early start and a late return to the hotel. Pack for stamina as much as for the beach.
• Bring snacks. Breakfast and a Dominican-style lunch are included, but two reviewers called the food low quality, with one calling it the worst lunch of any excursion they had taken. Extra snacks and water for the bus are a sensible backup.
• Budget on the island. Drinks are not included with lunch, and on Cayo Levantado you pay for beverages, chair rentals and any vendor shopping. One reviewer listed island prices in pesos, so expect to spend extra there.
• Crowds are possible. Some reviewers said the whale watching boat was packed, with people standing and limited room to move, which made it harder to see the whales. The tour is capped at 15 travellers.
• Pack swimwear. There is swimming after lunch and time on the island beach, and one reviewer specifically advised bringing a swimsuit. Reviewers mention clear water and shade under the trees on Cayo Levantado.
• Confirm your start time. Contact the operator for the exact departure time. Do this before the day to avoid a bad surprise.

Common issues. The main complaints are the long bus transfers each way, disappointing food, and crowded whale watching boats, the last raised by several reviewers who felt the boat was overbooked and that this made sightings harder to enjoy. One reviewer also mentioned a beach stop with no shower, and another had a confusing moment finding the right boat for the return from the island. The tour is not recommended for travellers with back problems and is not wheelchair accessible. Drinks with lunch and gratuities are not included.

Common Questions