Samaná Humpback Whale Season

The humpback whale season is Samaná's defining annual event. Each winter, North Atlantic humpbacks travel thousands of kilometers from feeding grounds in the North Atlantic to the warm, shallow waters of the Banco de la Plata, the Banco de la Navidad and Samaná Bay to mate, give birth and nurse their calves. The Dominican Ministry of Environment opens an official observation season each year, and boats from Santa Bárbara de Samaná take visitors out to see them.

Dates: the season typically runs from January 15 to March 31. That was the window in 2025, and the 2026 season opened in mid-January with a similar close. The ministry had not announced 2027 dates as of late October 2026, so treat January 15 to March 31, 2027 as the expected window and confirm closer to the time. Mid-February is usually the peak.

What happens during the season: the Samaná Malecón (waterfront) fills with tour offices, the bay with permitted whale-watching boats, and the town takes on a festive, busy feel, especially on weekends when Dominican families and visitors from Santo Domingo arrive. In the first three months of 2024, the ministry counted more than 61,000 visitors to the whale season, around two-thirds of them foreign tourists. Hotels in Samaná and nearby book up early for February.

How to take part: book a licensed whale-watching trip from Samaná or with pickup from Las Terrenas or Las Galeras. There is no official price list; each operator sets its own fee, roughly $60 to $160 per adult in 2026 depending on inclusions, and a small sanctuary fee (around $5 to $6) is often collected separately. Ask to see the operator's ministry permit. Many trips add a stop at Cayo Levantado. For a full plan, see our Samaná whale-watching guide.

Protections: boats must keep at least 50 meters from adult whales and 80 meters from mothers with calves, and no more than three boats may watch a group at once. Aircraft observation is not allowed. These rules exist because Samaná is one of the most important humpback breeding areas in the Atlantic.

Best for: wildlife lovers, families, photographers and anyone planning a Samaná trip in late winter. Not ideal for: travelers who want empty roads and cheap rooms; this is high season. If you are staying in Punta Cana, full-day trips to Samaná run during the season, but expect very long drives.