The 4 Best Punta Cana Whale Watching Tours

1.Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $169Our pick

Leave Punta Cana before sunrise for a full-day trip to Samaná Bay and El Limón Waterfall. You’ll sail by catamaran for humpback whale watching, then ride a horse for about 30 minutes through tropical vegetation to a 165-foot waterfall. Expect roughly 10 hours of transport, a maximum group of 45, and a moderate level of fitness.

“The boat crew and whale watch was fun- although short - once we’d seen a few whales! The guide basically said. That’s good enough . The horse back ride was awful - the hoses are in terrible shape and maltreated - yelled at and hit Read more”

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2.Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 87 reviews · 12 hours · from $189

Travel from Punta Cana, Bávaro, Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, or Bayahibe to Samaná for humpback whale watching, a beach stop at Cayo Levantado, and a horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall. The day includes a light breakfast, Dominican buffet lunch, drinks, guides in five languages, and transport, but expect a long day with plenty of road time.

“Pickup from my hotel at 6:30am was smooth, but we spent long stretches waiting and driving between stops before reaching the boat dock. We arrived at the dock at 915am. Breakfast was a ham sandwich and fruit. Whale watching was rough due to choppy water, and we saw very few whales. We spent an hour on Saona Island with pushy photographers. Expect to pay $40–50 USD for photos. Lunch is a mainland buffet with great food, but it’s the last meal. You’re shuttled to the waterfall/“horseback” ride, where attendants repeatedly ask for tips, including $50 for the volunteer and animal. You spend ~30 minutes at the waterfall, then ride back.…”

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3.Samaná Experience Whale – The Lemon Waterfall & Bacardi Island

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 25 reviews · from $140Best value

Travel from Punta Cana to Samaná by coach, boat, safari truck, and horseback. Ride to El Limón waterfall, swim beneath its falls, eat a Dominican lunch, then spend 90 minutes at Bacardi Island. Guides such as Pedro and Luis speak several languages, but expect a long day, basic meals, crowded stops, and rough transport.

“Definitely a to-do adventure! Be prepared for a long day...12 hours! Wear sneakers!!! Not flip flops. Bring lots of cash to tip and purchase items, beer etc... got totally soaked on boat both coming and going... so prepare for anything. Go with a great attitude and you will be rewarded. El Limon has 3 falls... go further past all the tourists to the very bottom falls!”

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4.Whale Watching and Montana Redonda Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 23 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $210Top rated

Leave Punta Cana early for a whale-watching cruise from Miches, then ride a safari truck up Montaña Redonda for swings, lunch, and wide Atlantic views. The 9 to 10-hour day includes hotel pickup, breakfast, a guide, boat fees, and return transport. Bring warm and dry clothing, and consider seasickness medicine.

“I really liked the excursión. The transportation, organising and everything was excellent!”

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