Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado Boat Tour: Mangroves, Taino Caves & Beach Lunch
Sail through Los Haitises’ karst cliffs and mangrove channels, explore caves with Taíno pictographs, then relax on the white sands of Cayo Levantado with a classic beach lunch. This full-day boat tour blends wildlife, history and Caribbean swimming.
The Experience
Before You Go
Morning departure
Choose an early departure for smoother seas, quieter wildlife viewing and cooler conditions during cave visits.
Protect the reef
Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid stepping on shallow reef to protect corals near Cayo Levantado.
Footwear for limestone
Wear water shoes or grippy sandals for scrambling on wet limestone and in cave approaches.
Pack a dry bag
Keep phones, passports and sunscreen in a small dry bag — boats can be wet and lunch is beachfront.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Quiet mangrove channels that attract nesting birds away from main viewpoints
- •A tucked cove on Cayo Levantado with shallower, calm water ideal for kids
Wildlife
- •frigatebird
- •brown pelican
Conservation Note
The park is protected but sensitive: stay in marked channels, avoid touching rock art, use reef-safe products and follow guide instructions to limit impact.
Los Haitises preserves Taíno pictographs and archaeological sites; Spanish colonial activity later shaped settlement patterns around Samaná Bay.
What to Bring
Reef‑safe sunscreenEssential
Protects skin and local coral reefs during extended sun exposure on the boat and beach.
Water shoesEssential
Provide traction on wet limestone, in caves and when entering shallow reefs.
Light wind/rain layer
Useful for early-morning breezes or sudden tropical showers while on the boat.
Small dry bagEssential
Keeps electronics, documents and spare clothes dry during transfers and beach time.
Common Questions
How long is the tour?
The full excursion runs about 7 hours, including the boat transfer, roughly three hours of park exploration and beach time at Cayo Levantado.
Is the trip suitable for children or older travelers?
Yes — the tour is rated easy with short walks; however infants must sit on laps and the tour isn’t recommended for travelers with serious spinal or heart conditions.
Will I have time to swim and snorkel?
Yes — there is a beach stop at Cayo Levantado for swimming; snorkeling availability depends on conditions and gear may not be provided.
Are cave pictographs visible and can we enter caves?
Guides take small groups to accessible caves where Taíno pictographs can be seen — touching is prohibited to preserve these sites.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
7 hours
Location
Samaná, Samaná Province
Difficulty
easy
Fitness Level
Light fitness sufficient; involves short guided walks and swimming but no sustained hiking
Ready to Explore Samaná?
Book your guided walking tour and discover the hidden stories of this historic mountain city.
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