Budget Boat Trip, No Meal

Samana: Cayo Levantado Day Trip by Boat

★ 4.7 39 verified reviews

7 hours, free cancellation.

from $28 per person

Check Price & Availability →

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: Moto Marina Tours

Overview

This is the bare-bones version of the Cayo Levantado day trip: a boat transfer there and back, with the whole day on the island left to you. Moto Marina Tours runs the service from a private dock in Samana, with check-in first at their main office on Av. La Marina 3, where tickets are validated before boarding. Departure is at about 9:30 AM and the crossing to the island, also called Bacardi Island, takes roughly 15 minutes by speedboat.

What follows is about 6.5 hours of free time on a white-sand beach with turquoise water. Swim, sunbathe, walk the shoreline, or settle in at one of the beachside restaurants, which sell food and drinks since lunch is not part of this ticket. The boat picks everyone up again in the late afternoon and returns to the dock around 4:30 PM, making for a 7-hour day overall.

It suits travellers who want the island without a packaged schedule, and reviewers describe exactly that: a day spent on their own terms. A live guide travels with the group. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the Samana office, and the boat is not accessible to wheelchair users.

What's Included

Included

Boat ride
Live guide

Not Included

Lunch and drinks (available to buy at the beachside restaurants)

Itinerary

Check in at officeArrive at the main office at Av. La Marina 3, Samana, to validate your ticket before boarding.
Depart Samana dockThe boat leaves from the private dock at about 9:30 AM.
Speedboat to the islandAbout 15 minutes by speedboat from Samana to Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island.
Free time on Cayo LevantadoAbout 6.5 hours to swim, relax on the beach and explore. Beachside bars and restaurants are available at your own expense.
Return crossingAbout 15 minutes by speedboat back to the dock, arriving around 4:30 PM.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what matters in practice before booking this boat-only version of the trip.

Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. You check in and validate your ticket at the office on Av. La Marina 3 in Samana, then board at the private dock nearby. One reviewer noted the operator name, Moto Marina Tours, is not obvious on the reservation, so allow time to find the office.
What to bring. The listing recommends swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes and comfortable shoes and clothing. You will be on the beach for most of the day, so pack accordingly for sun and swimming.
Food and drink. Lunch and drinks are not included in this ticket. Beachside restaurants on the island sell food and cocktails.
Pace of the day. The crossing is short and the rest of the day is yours. Reviewers describe it as ideal for spending the day independently on the island, with the guide giving clear instructions on where and when to meet for the return.
The boat ride. The listing describes a leisurely, comfortable ride to and from the island. One reviewer found the boat prompt on departure and on time for the return.
Language and guide. Tours run in Spanish and English with a live guide on board. Total duration is 7 hours, from the 9:30 AM departure to the roughly 4:30 PM return.

Common issues. The main limitations are straightforward: no lunch or drinks are included, no hotel pickup is provided, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. One reviewer said the operator name was not evident on the reservation, which made the meeting point harder to find, so it helps to know the office is at Av. La Marina 3 in Samana.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The ticket covers the boat ride to Cayo Levantado and back, plus a live guide. It is a transport-focused product, not a full-day guided excursion with extras.

Is Lunch Included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included in this version, but there are beachside restaurants and bars on the island where you can buy food and cocktails.

Where Do I Meet The Boat?

Check in at the Moto Marina Tours office at Av. La Marina 3, Samana, to validate your ticket, then board at the private dock. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

How Long Is The Day?

The tour lasts 7 hours in total. The boat departs around 9:30 AM, takes about 15 minutes to reach the island, gives you roughly 6.5 hours there, and returns to the dock around 4:30 PM.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the listing does not state a refund, so cancel early if needed.

Is It Suitable For Wheelchair Users Or Kids?

The listing states the tour is not allowed for wheelchair users. It does not state age restrictions, so families should check the booking page for child pricing and any age rules before booking.