From Boca Chica, 8 Hours

Overview

This day trip from Boca Chica puts you on a boat in Samana Bay to watch humpback whales, with round trip transportation from your starting point already arranged. Shelting Tours runs it as a private activity, so only your own group takes part. The day is built around two main stops: the Santuario de Ballenas Jorobadas, where you spend time watching for whales in the sanctuary waters, and Cayo Levantado island.

The full tour runs 8 hours. At the whale sanctuary you get a 2 hour window on the water, and admission is free, so there is no entry fee to worry about at either stop. Cayo Levantado also gets 2 hours on the island itself before the boat heads back. Along the way the guide points out the panoramic views across Samana Bay, and the trip includes lunch plus snacks, so you do not need to pack a full meal.

A professional guide travels with the group throughout. Because transport, food, and guiding are all bundled in, the day suits travellers who want a whale watching outing without arranging boats, tickets, and meals separately. It works for most people, though it is not wheelchair accessible and infants must sit on laps.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup from Boca ChicaRound trip transportation is included. The day starts with pickup from your location in Boca Chica and the drive toward Samana.
2. Santuario de Ballenas JorobadasYou spend 2 hours at the humpback whale sanctuary, on the water watching for whales. Admission is free.
3. Cayo Levantado islandAnother 2 hours on Cayo Levantado, with free admission, gives you time on the island itself.
4. Panoramic bay viewsA panoramic view of Samana Bay is included as one of the tour's highlights.
5. Return transferThe transport brings the group back to Boca Chica at the end of the 8 hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan for a full day on the water and an island stop.

• Food and drink. Lunch and snacks are both included in the price, so you do not need to carry a meal for the day.
• Only your group. This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That means the pace on the boat and at the island follows your party rather than a large mixed crowd.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and the operator cancels for poor conditions. If that happens you are offered a different date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.
• Bring a camera. The itinerary includes humpback whale viewing and panoramic looks at Samana Bay.
• Getting on and off. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Wear shoes you can move around in comfortably for the day.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps for the duration. Because the experience requires good weather, the operator may cancel, in which case you get a different date or a full refund rather than a guaranteed same day trip. Cancellations on your side must be made at least 24 hours before the start time to get your money back; anything later is not refunded and changes inside that window are not accepted. No reviews of this exact tour were available to flag further issues.

Common Questions