Private Kayak Tour of Los Haitises National Park — Mangroves, Taino Caves & Sabana de la Mar Lunch
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
12 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—comfortable with prolonged, steady paddling and short hikes on uneven rock.
Overview
Spend a full day paddling through Los Haitises’ mangrove mazes, exploring Taíno-painted caves, and finishing with a Dominican lunch in Sabana de la Mar. This private kayak tour mixes geology, wildlife, and culture with local guides and door-to-door transport from Santo Domingo.
Private Kayak Tour of Los Haitises National Park — Mangroves, Taino Caves & Sabana de la Mar Lunch
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You push off from a narrow wooden dock while gulls argue overhead and the water lays itself out like a slow ribbon. The kayak answers with an easy, familiar rhythm and the mangroves close in—roots arching like the ribs of a forgotten ship, leaves whispering secrets as your paddle parts the surface. For the next several hours the coast redefines itself: limestone cliffs rise in sculpted columns, mangrove labyrinths funnel you into silent estuaries, and dark caves open like pages in a history book written on stone.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start early for calm water
Morning departures usually have lighter winds and smoother channels, making cave entries and mangrove passages easier.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
The sun reflects strongly off the water and limestone—choose reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin and the marine environment.
Wear secure footwear
Expect short walks on slippery limestone and muddy mangrove banks—water shoes with a good grip protect feet and ankles.
Protect indigenous art
Do not touch or attempt to enter restricted cave areas with pictographs—respect guide instructions to preserve Taíno paintings.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Magnificent frigatebird
- Mangrove crab
History
Los Haitises hosts Taíno pictographs and petroglyphs in its caves; Spanish chronicles also note the area as a refuge for indigenous communities during early contact.
Conservation
Mangroves here are vital coastal buffers and nursery habitat; follow guide instructions, avoid disinfectants that harm flora/fauna, and pack out all trash to minimize impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sabana de la Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Water shoes
Grip and toe protection for rocky cave entries and mangrove mud.
Dry bag (10–20L)
Keep phone, camera, and extra layers dry during crossings and in caves.
Wide-brim sun hat
Shields face and neck from strong equatorial sun off the water.
summer specific
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin while minimizing harm to marine life and mangrove ecosystems.
summer specific