In the language of the Taíno Indians, the primitive settlers of the island, the word Haití meant high or mountainous land. It is probable that this is the meaning of this succession of mounds, small hills or heaps, to which many compare with a container or box of eggs. These mounds extend from the south of the Valley of the Cibao Oriental to Savana del Mar, through all the southern coast of the Samaná Bay, and they have an average height of 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters).

Its 286 square miles (740 km_) are fundamental for the generation of water for most of the cities of the region. The whole park is a peculiar and curious formation of carsica rock, of coral origin, emerged from the sea millions of years ago.

The fauna of the Haitises is very rich and varied due to the great diversity of its environments. The mammals are basically represented by three species that are under the threat extinction: the Manatee, herbivorous that lives in the estuary of the rivers, the Jutía and the Solenodonte, small insectivorous mammals, both species indigenous of Dominican Republic. Among the reptiles one must emphasize the presence of Boas, and several species of sea turtles. By being a coastal-marine park, the birds are the most numerous group, containing 110 species of the 270 found in the country, the majority of them indigenous to the area. Pelicans, Tendrils, Parrots, Owls, the Owl Orejita... populate abundantly its numerous keys, being Los Pájaros key the best known of all.

The National Park The Haitises contains very impressive landscape elements such as the San Lorenzo Bay, the most extensive population of mangrove swamps of the country and the different keys. In the small islands there are some very interesting caves, some with pictographs and petroglyphs (prehistoric rock art) of the natives of the island. The most famous one is, without doubt, San Gabriel, where a drop of water carved a stalagmite in the shape of a figure that resembles a statue of the Archangel. This cave was inhabited until the late 70s and was a refuge for fishermen. Currently, it is constantly full of television crews of various countries where they film famous survival programs, hence visiting is not always allowed. Also accessible to the public are the caves of La Arena (the sand) and La Línea (the line).

The excursions usually depart from the city of Samaná and from Sánchez. Both require approximately 45 minute of navigation to cross the bay.