Port Information for Samana, Dominican Republic

Eastern Caribbean Cruises to Samana and Cayo Levantado

Apr 3, 2009
Renee Ruggero

Cayo Levantado - Dominican Republic Tourism

Cruise ships visiting Samana, Dominican Republic and Cayo Levantado in the Eastern Caribbean offer convenient access to the best beaches and whale watching.

The Samana peninsula in the Eastern Caribbean offers unspoiled, white sand beaches with clear, turquoise waters. But this part of the Dominican Republic is also covered in dense tropical vegetation, making arriving by cruise ship a convenient vacation choice. Here’s what to expect when visiting Samana, Dominican Republic on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Pier in Samana, Dominican Republic

Geographic Location of Cruise Port – The Samana Peninsula is located in the eastern Caribbean on the north eastern part of the Dominican Republic. The town of Samana lies on the northern coast of Samana Bay and the island of Cayo Levantado is located just ten minutes from the ship’s anchorage.

Getting From the Cruise Ship to the Pier – The Royal Caribbean cruise ship anchors about 1.5 nautical miles from the pier in Samana, and it takes about a ten-minute tender ride to get there. Alternatively, it is also a ten-minute tender ride to get to Cayo Levantado from the ship's anchorage.

Passenger Facilities at Cruise Ship Pier – About a ten-minute walk from the pier, there are banks, ATMs, shops, a market, internet and restaurants. In addition, visitors can hire a taxi or rent a car from the cruise ship dock at Samana.

Beaches and Tours in Samana and Cayo Levantado

Best Beaches in Samana, Dominican Republic – Royal Caribbean cruises to Samana feature a tour call the Cayo Levantado Beach Escape. Take a ten-minute boat ride from the ship to Cayo Levantado. At the island’s pier, guests are met and are led down a pathway towards the beach. Snorkel equipment and sun floats are available for rent, and for an extra cost there is a beach BBQ.

Salto El Limon Waterfall – Ride horseback through the countryside passing isolated villages and vegetation that includes coffee, cacao and tropical fruits. Arrive at a 120-foot tall waterfall and have the opportunity to swim in the natural pool.

Whale Watching in Samana, Dominican Republic – Samana is a top breeding spot for Humpback whales from mid-January to the end of March. Three to five thousand humpback whales visit Samana Bay to give birth and mate during this period. Boat tours depart daily from Samana or from Cayo Levantado.

Los Haitises National Park – A short boat ride from the coast of Samana brings nature lovers to a sanctuary with underground rivers and caves that feature drawings dating back to the Taino Indians that inhabited the area in pre-Columbus days.

The regular cruise season for Samana, Dominican Republic is October to March, with the most popular time to visit coinciding with the whale watching months. Many cruise lines offer this port of call during the winter, but Royal Caribbean cruises to Samana, Dominican Republic throughout the summer months as well.