Whales And Island, Beach Lunch

Samaná Whale Watching + Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)

★ 4.0 from 17 reviews

8 hours 30 minutes, lunch on the beach, Tour Guide, Catamaran or Boat Trip, fees, Local taxes, Beverages included.

from $65 per person

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

Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Samaná Port and Malecón (boat pier)
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Ballenas

Overview

This Samaná trip pairs a boat or catamaran whale watching run with time on Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island, and a beach lunch. The operator, Ballenas, runs it over roughly 8.5 hours, starting and finishing at the Santorino restaurant in Samaná, where you ask for Jackson on arrival. A tour guide travels with the group and local taxes and fees are covered in the price, along with beverages and the meal on the beach.

The shape of the day is simple. The listing combines whale watching by catamaran or boat with lunch on the beach and island time, and ends back at the same meeting point. The listing caps the group at 39 travellers, so it is a shared, sizeable outing rather than a private charter. Gratuities, car transfers and alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget for those separately.

It suits travellers who want two of Samaná's best known experiences in one day without arranging boats, fees and food themselves. The listing notes the transport and surfaces are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, infants ride on laps, and the meeting point sits near public transport. One reviewer complained that boats chased whales to satisfy tourists, which is worth knowing if you prefer a more cautious watching style.

What's Included

Included

Lunch on the beach, Tour Guide, Catamaran or Boat Trip, fees, Local taxes, beverages

Not Included

Gratuities, Transfer Car, Alcoholic Drinks

Itinerary

Meet at SantorinoMeet at Santorino restaurant in Samaná and ask for Jackson. The tour ends back at this same meeting point.
Board the boatBoard the catamaran or boat with the tour guide for the whale watching leg. Local taxes and fees are included.
Whale watching on the waterSpend time on the water watching whales. The listing does not give a stop-by-stop schedule or timings.
Cayo Levantado island stopThe listing title includes Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island) as part of the trip. The order of stops and time spent at each is not specified in the listing.
Beach lunch and drinksHave lunch on the beach, with beverages included. Alcoholic drinks are extra and not included.
Return to the meeting pointThe tour ends back at the Santorino restaurant meeting point. Car transfer is not included.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before booking, based on the listing and what recent travellers have said.

Getting there. The tour starts and ends at Santorino restaurant in Samaná, where you ask for Jackson. Car transfer is not included, so arrange your own transport. The listing says the spot is near public transportation.
What is included. Lunch on the beach, a tour guide, the catamaran or boat trip, fees and local taxes are all covered. Beverages come with the trip too. Gratuities and alcoholic drinks are paid separately.
Group size. The trip takes a maximum of 39 travellers. Expect a shared boat rather than a small-group outing. The listing says most travellers can participate.
Whale watching style. Sightings moved one reviewer deeply, who described the trip as amazing. However, one traveller said boats pursued whales to please tourists and wanted a respectful distance kept. The listing itself does not describe the boat's approach to the whales.
Family access. The listing states the tour and transport are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Families with young children can join. Most travellers can participate according to the operator.
Weather and pace. The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of travellers. If cancelled for either reason, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking.

Common issues. The trip depends on both good weather and a minimum number of travellers, and cancellations for either reason are redirected to another date or a full refund. One reviewer felt the boat ran after the whales to please tourists and wanted a more respectful distance enforced. Car transfer, gratuities and alcoholic drinks are extra.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Lunch on the beach, a tour guide, the catamaran or boat trip, fees and local taxes are included. Beverages are also covered. Gratuities, car transfer and alcoholic drinks are not.

Is Food Included On The Tour?

Yes, lunch on the beach is included, along with beverages. Alcoholic drinks are the exception and must be paid for separately. Gratuities for the crew are also at your discretion.

Where Does The Tour Meet, And Is Pickup Included?

The meeting point is Santorino restaurant in Samaná, where you ask for Jackson, and the tour ends back at the same spot. Car transfer is listed as not included. The listing does not state hotel pickup, so check the booking page before you travel.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And Wheelchair Users?

The listing says the activity and transport are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and that infants must sit on laps. Most travellers can participate. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A minimum number of travellers also applies, with the same options if it is not met.

What Should I Bring?

The listing does not give a packing list. Beach gear and sun protection make sense for the island stop, and cash for gratuities and any alcoholic drinks. Beverages and beach lunch are already included.