The megapterae novaengliae whales are the most spectacular oceanic giants that can be observed in Dominican waters. These mammals, which can weigh up to 40 tons, choose these waters to mate and reproduce. During this time they will not eat and will live off their grease reserves accumulated during their stay in the north.

The Dominican Republic regulates the observation of whales, protects the marine mammals against the hunt and, at the same time, encourages whale watching as economic alternative. The humpback whales are not the only ones that travel through the coasts of the country, orcas, Bryde, Minke, Uvier, Sei, pilot and pygmy sperm whales also visit us. The marine bank situated in the north of the country and located between Samaná and Puerto Plata is very important, not only for the mating rituals, but also for the birth of the whale calves. In this area many banks of coral are found, that create a natural barrier against the wind and ideal conditions for the reproduction of the whales and the growth of the whale calves.

The particularly favorable conditions of the waters that are between these two Dominican locations allow the largest concentration of humpbacks whales in the world. For this reason, in 1986, the Samaná Bay, was decreed a Sanctuary of Marine Mammals.

An excursion to see the whales in love and singing usually lasts half a day. A short trip will be sufficient to reach the first groups and admire how the males court the females, by showing-off with prodigious leaps that lift their entire bodies out of the water.

The season for observation is from January 15 to March 15.

Entrevista con Kim Beddall
Kim Beddall is one of the most prominent humpback whales experts and undoubtedly the person with the most knowledge of the humpback whales of Samaná. She has been living here since 1983 and it was due to her that the rest of the world realized that these marine mammals came each winter to this bay. To see more