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Samana: when your ship stops here

A bay in the north east of the Dominican Republic: the island beach of Cayo Levantado, humpback whales from January to March, and a national park across the water.

Facts checked Nov 3, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Santa Bárbara de Samaná, Samana for short, is the main town of the Samaná peninsula in the north east of the Dominican Republic, founded in 1756 by families from the Canary Islands and named after the Spanish queen Bárbara de Braganza. The tourism board says cruise ships come in the winter season, to the bay near Cayo Levantado. Ask on board where your ship lands you and when the last boat goes back.

Sources: Wikipedia: Samaná, Dominican Republic; Go Dominican Republic (Ministry of Tourism): Samaná

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Cayo Levantado

    A small island in Samaná Bay, known from rum advertising as Bacardi Island, with a five star Grand Bahia Principe hotel and the beach that makes a Samana call a beach day.

    Tip: It is reached by boat. On a short call, pick the island or the town, not both.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Cayo Levantado; Go Dominican Republic (Ministry of Tourism): Samaná

  2. 2. Humpback whales, January to March

    Thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales come into Samaná Bay from January to March to give birth, and the town is the centre of whale watching in the Caribbean; the tourism board lists whale watching boats on the bay in those months.

    Tip: Outside January to March there are no whales: do not book a whale boat for an April call.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Samaná, Dominican Republic; Go Dominican Republic (Ministry of Tourism): Samaná

  3. 3. Los Haitises National Park by boat

    A park of 826 square km (319 square miles) on the far side of Samaná Bay, straight across from the town: caves cut by water and painted by the island's first peoples, the biggest stretch of mangrove in the Caribbean, and a rock where frigatebirds and pelicans wheel overhead. Most visitors arrive by boat, from Samaná among other places.

    Tip: It is a boat trip across the bay and back: ask how long before you go, and keep the all aboard time in mind.

    Source: Wikipedia: Los Haitises National Park

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Samana

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Samana, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 3, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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