Samana Dominican Republic. A unique place for whale watching
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Samana Province
Samana province is a truly unique place. Its capital is Santa Barbara de Samana [known to many as Samana City]which is located 245
km northeast of Santo Domingo. It has a glorious peninsula
reaching out into the sea and a world renown bay which attracts
thousands of humpback whales every year.
The province is located in north east Dominican Republic on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As well as being known for the whale watching it is
also known for its splendid mountains.
There is no doubt that it is one of the most beautiful areas of the Dominican Republic, yet the tourist industry has
not yet exploited the full potential of its location.
There are tropical forests, coconut groves, hundreds of beaches with turquoise
crystal clear waters,
waterfalls, protected national parks, as well as the protected bay and peninsula.
Samana Bay
Between Jan and March about 5,000 humpback whales migrate to Samana Bay [Bahia de Samana] to congregate, mate and rear their calves.
The humback whales are renoun for breaching [jumping from] the water.
They swim close to the coast and the best way to see them is via a whale watching
cruise from Samana.
I took the photo right on a boat trip in the bay. It was one of numerous sightings. An excellent read
on this great creature is the Phil Clapham book Humpback Whales (World Life Library)
More on Samana humpback whales
Samana harbour
The shallow marine floor of Samana (the greatest depth of the bay is barely 45 meters) represents a
danger for ocean-going vessels with a deep draft; but, on the other hand, conditions are favorable for a largescale fishing industry.
The below video gives a good feel for Samana.
NB:after starting the movie,the `HQ` button will appear in the right hand corner.
If you click on it it will give a higher quality picture but this is dependent
on your internet connection].
History
It was discovered on January 12, 1493 by Christopher Columbus. The
following day the first battle in the New World took place between the
Tainos of Ciguayo and the Spaniards. According to a journal entry in the
admirals own handwriting, he had never seen so many arrows fly over
a ship. Indeed, he dubbed the bay the Golfo de las Flechas (Gulf of Arrows).
It is said that this was the first instance of violent opposition to the Spanish conquistadors in the Americas.
Santa Barbara de Samana was founded in 1756 by the Spanish
brigadier and the governor of the island, Francisco Rubio Penaranda.
Airports
I visited Samana in January 2006 and all the talk was of the opening of the new airport. In November 2006 the Samana El Catey International Airport opened.
The airport is located near the village of El Catey, 8 km (5 miles) west of Sanchez, at the base of the mountainous peninsula Cape Samana. Local travel times
are 30 minutes drive to Las Terrenas[Click here for more info on the lovely village of Las Terrenas Dominican Republic],
40 minutes drive to Samana, and approximately 1 hour drive to Las Galeras.
This airport is providing the opportunity
for tourists and business people to enjoy what will come one of major tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic.
There is another airport named Arroyo Barril, which serves private planes and domestic flights.
The flight to Samana from Las Americas, La Romana or Punta Cana is between 30 to 45 minutes.
La ChurchaI must confess that one of my most moving memories of the Dominican Republic was a visit to La Churcha. I say that even though I am
not a particularly religious person.
La Churcha is an old church building shipped out all the way from England in 1824. Its purpose was to house the freed North American
slave congregation who became the nucleus of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
It had been damaged by the hurricane of 2004 and as British Ambassador, Andy Ashcroft had received a letter asking
for funds to help with repairs. He managed to persuade the authorities to provide a contribution and took the trouble to travel to
the church to present the cheque. As I was visiting Andy on holiday, I went with him to this appointment.
Check the more about our visit and see the video
Los Haitises National Park
Take a boat trip from Samana to Los Haitises National Park. This is the most popular park in Dominican Republic and you will see everything from
Taino paintings to wonderful wildlife.
Click here for more on Los Haitises National Park
Bahia De Rincon [check out this beach!
The Bahia de Rincon is located on the north eastern part of the Samana Peninsula. The bay features some of the most
beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the Caribbean and it also has a beach which Conde Nast magazine rated
as the second finest in the entire world!!!
It is unspoilt and gives you an authentic Dominican experience.
Click here for more on Bahia de Rincon and its fantastic beach
Cayo Lavantado [Isla de Cayo Levantado]
This makes for an excellent day trip:
Known for its fantastic beach and and where the bacardi commercial was filmed, a good day is spent whale watching
and then getting dropped off at the Isla de Cayo Levantado.
This small island in the Bay is the stuff of legends. Apparently linked to bounty hunters and treasure.
The sand is so white and the turquoise waters crystal clear. It is just how you would imagine a caribbean island to be.
It is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Click here for more on Cayo Levantado
Trade
Most of the peninsula is layered with white, pink,green and gray marble. This is quarried and transported for processing to
Santo Domingo.
Samana also produces coconut, fish and shellfish.
Cuisine
There is international cuisine available however whilst in Samana you should try the famous gingerbread,
Yaniqueques [click here for the recipe](Johnny
cakes) and the fabulous pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce).
Some quick links to other pages on this website:
Prison gigs:
In 2006 Andy Ashcroft [British Ambassador to the DR], Roberto Santana [a Dominican TV host] and myself played 2 gigs at the Najayo women`s prison
in Dominican Republic. The second gig was in front of wife of the Dominican President. Check out the story and photo`s below.
Prison gigs-background
Photo`s of prison gig
Prison gig with British Ambassador and Dominican First Lady
Dominican Resorts
Further information about the fantastic resorts in Dominican Republic
Bayahibe
Puerto Plata
Punta Cana
Samana Weather
Samana Viva Wyndham
Santo Domingo
Colonial Zone
The essence of the Dominican Republic
All about the DR, the food, the people, the history etc....
Cuisine
Country facts
Dominican history
Dominican recipes
Dessert recipes!
Johnny Cakes recipe
Flying to the Dominican Republic
Larimar stone
Merengue
National flag
Weather
Hobbies
If you play golf don`t miss this!
Golf
Weddings
Getting married? Look no further!
Weddings
If you were interested in Samana you may want to know more about Cabarete, a lttle further north
More about Dominican festivals
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