Los Haitises National Park Boat Tour

Los Haitises National Park covers a remote stretch of the south shore of Samaná Bay, and it is the most striking natural landscape you can reach from the peninsula. Created in 1976 and expanded in 1996 to roughly 826 square kilometers, the park protects a limestone karst platform of dense, rounded hills 200 to 300 meters high, rainforest, the country's most extensive mangroves and a coastline of rocky islets. Most of it lies in Hato Mayor province, but the classic way in for visitors is by boat across the bay from Santa Bárbara de Samaná.

A typical tour leaves the Samaná waterfront or the Cayo Vigía pier in the morning and crosses the bay to the park, a ride of roughly 30 minutes to an hour depending on the boat and the sea. From there, itineraries vary but usually include several of these: boating past small islands where frigatebirds and brown pelicans nest (Cayo de los Pájaros and similar islets), gliding or kayaking through channels of red and white mangroves, and short walks into caves. Cueva de la Arena and Cueva de la Línea are the best known, with pictographs and petroglyphs left by the island's Indigenous peoples. Cueva de la Línea takes its name from an old railway line that once ran nearby. Guides explain the karst geology and wildlife; the park holds most of the Dominican Republic's endemic bird species.

Prices and inclusions: in 2026, tours from Samaná were listed from roughly $55 to $100 per adult on the main booking platforms, for about six hours including the boat, a guide and the park entrance. Combined Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado days with a buffet lunch started at around $70. Some cheaper listings charge the park fee separately, so check what is included. Pickups from Las Terrenas and Las Galeras add time and cost. Trips also leave from Sabana de la Mar, home to the park's visitor center, on the south side of the bay.

What to know: the bay crossing can be choppy, especially on windy afternoons, so take seasickness precautions if needed and keep your phone in a dry bag. Wear shoes with grip for the wet cave paths, and bring insect repellent and a light rain jacket, since this is one of the wettest parts of the country. Visits must be authorized by the Ministry of Environment, which is why reputable operators handle permits and guides.

Best for: nature lovers, birders, photographers, families with kids who enjoy boats and caves, and anyone wanting a break from the beach. Not ideal for: travelers prone to seasickness, or those who want a beach-heavy day (choose the Cayo Levantado combo instead).