🇩🇴 Dominicana
“Humpback whales in a Dominican paradise bay”
Avg. Ships / Day
Avg. Time in Port
Peak Season
Jan – Jan
45 sailings over the next 12 months
Based on cruises available on Cruisello
Samaná Bay sits on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. The surrounding hills are green and steep, and the bay is sheltered enough that humpback whales breed here between January and March. Ships anchor offshore and passengers tender to the waterfront at Santa Bárbara de Samaná, a small town of colourful buildings and a few waterfront restaurants. The main excursion is to Los Haitises National Park, a coastal area of mangroves, caves with Taíno petroglyphs, and thick tropical forest accessible only by boat. El Limón waterfall, a 40-metre drop reached by horseback or hiking trail, is another popular trip. Playa Rincón, about 45 minutes from town, regularly appears on lists of the Caribbean's best beaches, with white sand and coconut palms. Local food tends toward fried fish, tostones, and fresh coconut. The Dominican peso is the currency, though US dollars are accepted at most tourist spots.
Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~9h port call












Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.
Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.
5-Day Forecast
Sail to Samaná for $437pp
Compare 45 upcoming sailings.