Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado Day Trip from Samaná — Mangroves, Caves & Beach

Samaná•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness—short walks on uneven, sometimes muddy ground and time standing on boats; not a strenuous hike.

Overview

Spend a day moving from mangrove channels and Taino-marked caves in Los Haitises National Park to the powder-white sands of Cayo Levantado. This full-day boat trip blends wildlife watching, short guided walks and an afternoon on the beach—ideal for travelers based in Samaná.

Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado Day Trip from Samaná — Mangroves, Caves & Beach

Bus Tour

Wildlife

Hiking

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The morning smell off Samaná Bay has salt in it and motion: fishermen tending nets, tour skiffs yawing at docks, a long wooden boat idling with engines idling like patient beasts. By 9 a.m. the hull cuts into open water and the coastline slips away. A low line of mangrove is the first actor—a green wall that reaches and grips the shallow sea—then a scatter of limestone islets rising like small, forested knuckles. This is Los Haitises National Park, and for the next eight hours the park and nearby Cayo Levantado will trade scenes: bird-filled coves, Taino-marked caves, and a sun-dappled beach that once starred in a Bacardi commercial.

Adventure Photos

Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado Day Trip from Samaná — Mangroves, Caves & Beach photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring a waterproof bag

Boats and splashy mangrove channels mean your phone and camera are at risk—pack a small dry bag or zippered case.

Wear water-friendly footwear

Boardwalks and cave approaches are wet and rocky; quick-dry shoes or sandals with grip keep you steady.

Protect against sun and bugs

Open boat decks and beach time require reef-safe sunscreen and a light insect repellent for shaded mangrove walks.

Expect some motion

If you get seasick, take medication before departure—the bay can be choppy on windy days.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Brown pelican
Mangrove heron (or green heron)

History

Los Haitises contains caves with Taíno pictographs and was historically a refuge and resource area for indigenous and later coastal communities.

Conservation

The park is protected to preserve mangrove systems and seabird colonies; visitors should avoid disturbing nesting sites and use reef-safe sunscreen to limit chemical runoff.