Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Humpback whales in paradise waters
Type
Nature
When
January – March
Duration
10–12 weeks
Location
Samaná
Cost
US$50–75 per boat excursion
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
30,000+ visitors per season
Family Friendly
Yes
First Held
Natural occurrence (annual migration)
Local Name
Temporada de Ballenas
Best Arrival
8:00 AM for morning boats
What to Wear
Layers — it's cool on the water
Every winter, approximately 1,500–2,000 North Atlantic humpback whales make the journey from their feeding grounds near Iceland, Greenland, and the northeastern United States to the warm, shallow waters around the Dominican Republic. Samaná Bay and the Silver Bank provide ideal conditions for mating, giving birth, and nursing calves.
This makes the Dominican Republic one of the best places in the world for whale watching, with sightings virtually guaranteed during peak season (late January through mid-March). The whales' spectacular behaviors — breaching, tail-slapping, fin-waving, and singing — create unforgettable experiences.
Boat excursions depart from the town of Samaná (Malecón area) and typically last 3–4 hours:
To maximize your whale-watching experience:
Samaná is on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic:
When
Mid-January through late March
Duration: 10–12 weeks
Location
Samaná Bay & Silver Bank, Samaná
Samaná Peninsula
Cost
US$50–75 per boat excursion
This event is in
Samaná →