Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado Day Trip with Limón Waterfall — Samaná

Samaná•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6 hours

Fitness Level

Light to moderate fitness; must be able to board a boat and manage short, uneven hikes to the waterfall and around the island.

Overview

Spend a day chasing humpbacks, sunbathing on Cayo Levantado and cooling off beneath Limón Waterfall. This full-day Samaná tour blends marine spectacle, island beaches and a rainforest swim with breakfast, lunch and hotel pickup included.

Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado Day Trip with Limón Waterfall — Samaná

Bus Tour

Wildlife

Boat Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The catamaran slips away from the pier before sunrise and the bay widens into a sheet of polished blue. Salt spray picks out the edges of the hull; crew members set out binoculars while a small breakfast is served at the starting point. Minutes later the engines slow and a shadow rolls through the water — a humpback finishes a lazy breach, water clinging to its back like a dark cloak. On this full-day Samaná itinerary, the sea commands the morning, Cayo Levantado invites midday calm, and Limón Waterfall finishes the day with a cool, forested plunge.

Adventure Photos

Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado Day Trip with Limón Waterfall — Samaná photo 1

Adventure Tips

Book during whale season

For the best chance to see humpbacks, schedule this trip between January and March; February is typically the most active month.

Wear water shoes

The path to Limón Waterfall and the rocky shorelines of Cayo Levantado are slippery—sturdy water shoes improve traction and protect toes.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen

You’ll be exposed on deck and on the beach; use reef-safe sunscreen and a hat to avoid sunburn and protect marine life.

Prepare for seasickness

If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication or use acupressure bands before boarding—whale chases can include rolling swells.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Humpback whales
Tropical seabirds like frigatebirds and pelicans

History

Samaná’s whale season has long connected the region to international naturalists and fishermen; the bay’s sheltered waters made it a traditional calving site for humpbacks.

Conservation

Local guides emphasize respectful viewing distances and no-chase policies; visitors should use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid entering sensitive reef areas.