Exploring Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado: Boat Trip to Mangroves, Caves & White-Sand Beaches
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels—short guided walks and periods of standing on the boat; minimal hiking required.
Overview
Navigate mangrove canals, stand before millennia-old cave pictographs, and end the day on the sugar-white sands of Cayo Levantado. This guided boat trip from Samaná is part natural history lesson, part beach escape—perfect for travelers who want wildlife, culture and a no-fuss shore lunch in one day.
Exploring Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado: Boat Trip to Mangroves, Caves & White-Sand Beaches
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The motor hums, and the coastline peels away into a patchwork of mangrove islands and limestone karsts. Salt spray tests your sunglasses while the guide points toward a low, green cay where frigatebirds wheel and mice-like oystercatchers chatter. You move through channels that seem to have been carved for small boats alone — roots and aerial propellers lean over the water as if to whisper directions — and the park presses around you: dense, humid, and unapologetically alive.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
The boat and the island offer little shade during midday; choose reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and coral ecosystems.
Wear quick-dry or water shoes
Cave and mangrove boardwalks are wet and slippery—shoes with grip and quick-dry materials make transitions easier.
Pre-treat for seasickness if needed
Open stretches of Samaná Bay can be choppy; take motion sickness medication before boarding if you’re prone to nausea.
Carry a small waterproof bag
Keep phone, wallet and a spare layer dry and accessible while boarding and during beach time.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Magnificent frigatebird
- West Indian whistling duck
History
Los Haitises preserves Taino rock art and archaeological sites; the park’s caves were ceremonial and practical spaces for pre-Columbian communities.
Conservation
Visitors are encouraged to use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching cave art, and dispose of waste properly to protect nesting birds and fragile mangrove ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Samaná
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Water shoes or sandals with straps
Protects feet on slippery cave floors and rocky shorelines while allowing water to drain.
Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Reduces UV exposure and protects marine life while you’re on the boat and beach.
summer specific
Wide-brim hat and polarized sunglasses
Cut glare from the water and lower sun fatigue during open-bay crossings.
summer specific
Light rain shell or windbreaker
Useful if a brief tropical shower rolls through; keeps you comfortable on exposed decks.
spring specific