Snorkeling And Kayaking Day

Samana Bay: Cayo Levantado Snorkeling and Kayaking Tour

★ 5.0 from 1 review

7 hours, local food included, free cancellation.

from $95 per person

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Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 7 hours
Meeting point: Samaná Port and Malecón (boat pier)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Whale Punta Cana

Overview

This day trip starts in Santa Barbara de Samana and runs about seven hours, taking you across Samana Bay to two islands by speedboat and kayak. After a short boat ride of roughly 15 minutes from Santa Barbara, you arrive at Levantado Island, also called Bacardi Island, where you gear up with a life jacket before continuing on. The next leg, about 30 minutes, carries you to Farola Island through waters where the listing says you can spot starfish and corals where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic.

At Farola, a guide walks you along a trail and points out the island's plants and wildlife, then you snorkel and swim off the shore. The return to Levantado is by kayak or boat, and the rest of the afternoon is yours on the white-sand beach, with local food included as part of the day. Around 4:00 PM the group boards the speedboat back to Santa Barbara de Samana, where the guide helps sort out your return to your accommodation.

It suits travellers who are happy on the water and comfortable with a speedboat ride, since the listing warns the boat will jump a little. Guides work in Spanish and English. Hotel transfers are not part of the package, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point in Samana.

What's Included

Included

Entry tickets to Farola
Local guide
Speedboat
Kayaking
Local food

Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Drinks
Gratuities

Itinerary

Meet in SamanaArrive at the meeting point in Santa Barbara de Samana, at 6M2F+5P La Aguada, and meet your local guide.
Boat to LevantadoA speedboat ride of about 15 minutes crosses Samana Bay to Levantado Island, where you change into swimwear and put on a life jacket.
Crossing to FarolaThe trip from Levantado to Farola Island takes about 30 minutes, with chances to see starfish and corals along the way.
Farola trail and snorkelWalk the island trail with the guide, who explains the local flora and fauna, then snorkel and swim.
Return to LevantadoPaddle back to Levantado Island by kayak or ride back by boat.
Beach and foodEat local food, included in the tour, and relax on the white-sand beach known as Bacardi Island.
Speedboat backMeet at about 4:00 PM for the final ride back to Santa Barbara de Samana, where the guide explains how to get back to your accommodation.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from what to pack to how the boat ride feels.

Getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet the guide in Santa Barbara de Samana, so arrange your own transport to the meeting point and back.
What to bring. The listing recommends swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, cash, a daypack and a waterproof bag. Drinks are not included, so bring your own water for a day in the sun.
On the boat. The tour runs on a speedboat, and the listing notes it will jump a little. Expect a bumpy ride rather than a smooth cruise across the bay.
Food included. Local food is part of the package, served once you return to Levantado Island. Gratuities and drinks are extra, so carry cash if you want either.
Weather. The tour runs rain or shine, according to the listing. There is no stated indoor alternative, so dress for the conditions on the day.
Beach time. A reviewer described the beach stop as one of the best in the Dominican Republic, with white sand and palm trees. The same review mentioned snorkelling at several spots around the island before the beach stop.

Common issues. The main practical limit is transport: hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the meeting point is in Santa Barbara de Samana, which may not suit travellers staying further away. Drinks and gratuities are excluded, and intoxication is not allowed on the tour. The speedboat ride can be bumpy, per the listing, and the tour proceeds rain or shine.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The tour includes entry tickets to Farola, a local guide, the speedboat transport, kayaking, and local food. Drinks, hotel pickup and drop-off, and gratuities are not included.

Is Hotel Pickup Provided?

No. The listing states that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet the guide at the meeting point in Santa Barbara de Samana, at 6M2F+5P La Aguada in the Dominican Republic.

How Long Is The Tour?

The full activity lasts about 7 hours. It starts in Santa Barbara de Samana and ends with a speedboat ride back at around 4:00 PM.

Do I Need To Pay For Food Or Entry Separately?

No, local food and the Farola entry tickets are part of the tour. Budget separately for drinks and any tips you want to give, and bring cash for those.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the listing does not state a refund option, so check the booking page before committing.

What Should I Bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, cash, a daypack and a waterproof bag, as listed on the tour page. Water is a good idea since drinks are not included.