Humpback whales Watching + Samana Eco-Tour

We got soaking wet riding out to see the whales. Many people were sea sick on the boat. We only saw 1 whale. Nice lunch though

IF you enjoy crazy - this is for you. From Punta Cana you will ride a bus to a road side stop and then you will discover that you must change buses. This second bus now drives to the boat - approximate drive time is 3 hours. Then you board the boat for about 1 hour to where the whales "should be". Then, while sitting on the boat, you sit in line to compete for a view of any whales - duration is about 90 minutes. Then you boat over to the island - another 25 minutes. Here you compete for a lunch and within 90 minutes of arrival you will be back on the boat to head to your next stop. Much not time to enjoy "the Island". At your next stop of the "tour" you will jump from the pier to the back of a diesel truck where you are packed in sucking up diesel fumes as your journey to the "horse back ride" of our life. NOW, IF the driver can find the "waterfalls" the next part begins. You jump out of the truck bed into finding yourself a set of boots and hard hat. Nothing is really maintained. Then you are directed to set on the back of a emaciated horse or donkey and you head down a trail of slippery wet mud and rocks for about 40 minutes. This terminates in the mud where you then walk/hike down another 20 minutes to the base of the 'waterfall'. At this point you can maneuver around bunches of people all trying to don the same thing - all while realizing that everywhere you look is mud and/or people. You get to hand around here for about 20 minutes before being ushered back up the hill where you now repeat the process. What you don't see in the pictures of these events are all of the garbage that you must step over; all of the slippery slopes; and all of the poorly maintained equipment and underfed animals that you are to use on this 'enjoyable journey'. All of the saddles I saw were held together with prayers and duct tape. And after enduring having my saddle and me come off the donkey on three different occasions, the "guide" starts directing me to provide him with a $20 "tip" for all of his efforts. Clinically interesting! When it all comes down to the good'ol "bang for the buck" --- the "buck" is gone and you are still waiting for the "bang"! We leave the hotel at 6:20 AM and return at 9:00PM. We spent about 90 minutes on the "whale watch"; about 90 minutes competing for our lunch on the "island"; and about 20 minutes enjoying the "waterfall". Just realize that the local "culture" does not expect :CLEANLINESS". Picking up trash is always someone else's job. And don't forget, IF you do not speak Spanish then you are going to be a little frustrated as the level of organization is certainly on the POOR side. I gave it a 2 star only because the people I was with were troopers and tried to find the sunshine behind the clouds! Enjoy!

Awesome experience. Started off bad by not being picked up in the morning, but the guide was extremely accommodating by getting us a private driver to get us to the catamaran on time. Very good lunch at the island. Then headed up to the horses to ride up to the waterfall. The guides with the horses were very nice and helpful. Long day.