Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado: Sail, Caves & Caribbean Beach Day from Las Terrenas
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Light to moderate mobility required—able to board boats, walk short cave paths, and swim/stand on a beach for extended periods.
Overview
Sail through Los Haitises’ mangrove channels and explore Taíno‑marked caves before trading limestone cliffs for the turquoise calm of Cayo Levantado. This full‑day boat trip from Las Terrenas blends natural history, easy hiking, and a long beach swim.
Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado: Sail, Caves & Caribbean Beach Day from Las Terrenas
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The engine thumps once and the bay opens—mangrove roots thread the water like fingers, limestone islands rise with vertical faces and shadows, and the boat slips into a channel where pelicans perch like sentries. On this full-day outing from Las Terrenas you move between two very different faces of Samaná province: the low, karst labyrinth of Los Haitises National Park and the sun-bleached hush of Cayo Levantado’s crescent beach. The day reads like a short atlas: a boat ride through mangrove canals, a walk into caves carved by water and human hands, then an afternoon of salt and sand.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef‑safe sunscreen
The boat and beach offer little shade; use reef‑safe sunscreen to protect your skin and the marine environment.
Wear water shoes
Rocky shorelines and mangrove roots mean better traction and protection when entering or exiting the water.
Protect against seasickness
The channel can be choppy—take motion‑sickness meds before boarding if you’re prone to nausea.
Carry a dry bag and ID
Store phone, passport photocopy and wallet in a small dry bag; the tour includes a beach lunch but valuables should stay dry.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Brown pelican
- Magnificent frigatebird
History
Los Haitises preserves abundant Taíno rock art and was later a strategic anchorage during colonial trade and sugar transport—rusted rail remnants in the bay recall that era.
Conservation
The park’s mangroves and reefs are fragile; choose operators that follow park rules, avoid anchoring on reefs, and encourage reef‑safe sunscreen and waste‑free lunches.
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Adventure Hotspots in Las Terrenas
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin in intense sun and minimizes harm to coral and marine life.
summer specific
Water shoes
Useful for rocky shorelines, mangrove landings and slippery steps in caves.
summer specific
Light rain shell
Quick protection during sudden tropical showers, especially in hurricane season.
fall specific
Dry bag (small)
Keeps phone, documents and spare clothing dry while on the boat.