Water Sports in Samaná

A day at the beach isn’t always about R&R. If your perfect beach day is action-packed, check out the sun-soaked northern coast of Dominican Republic.

Stretching from Cabarete to the Samaná Peninsula, the northern coast kisses the Atlantic Ocean, where choppy waves create the ideal playground for surfers, kiteboarders, snorkelers and other water adventurers. Whether you’re a novice or a pro athlete, try one of these seven activities to make the most of your time in the water sports capital of the Caribbean.

1. Kiteboarding

Las Terrenas is a kiteboarding mecca. Head to Punta Popy, the area’s social and water sports hub, or find the perfect beach for your group at Playa Bonita, which is calm, pool-like water on the west side but offers waves for thrill-seekers on the east side.

2. Surfing

Searching for the best surf spot near Samaná? Enjoy the soft-sand beach at Playa Cosón after you get your fill of the waves.

3. Scuba diving

Head east to Samaná to dive to the remains of the Dolphin Wreck at a formidable depth of 28 meters (92 feet). Off the coast of Las Galeras, you can explore the underwater remains of an 80-meter (262-foot) long cargo ship that’s bustling with barracuda, pufferfish, stingrays and schooling fish.

4. Snorkeling

Pack your goggles and head to Portillo to explore a Samaná dive site that boasts an enormous coral reef where you can swim among angelfish, trumpet fish, crabs, sea urchins and other colorful sea creatures. Beginner divers and snorkelers alike are also smitten with Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas, where you can swim among large schools of fish and colorful corals.

5. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)

Challenge your core strength and coordination with a session on a stand-up paddleboard. Many outfitters along the north coast rent out paddleboards, or you can take a one-of-a-kind SUP fitness class. By incorporating yoga and other moves, class instructors help SUP enthusiasts take their on-water adventuring to the next level. Everyone from Sports Illustrated to Brides magazine has raved about SUP on Dominican Republic’s north coast.

6. Sailing

Las Terrenas is a popular destination for laser sailing. These small sailboats are designed to zip through the water. You can try the sport by renting a sailboat or taking a class through a local laser sailing school.

7. Whale watching

Every year between January and March, thousands of humpback whales flock to the Samaná Bay for their mating season. This yearly spectacle draws visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the majestic water mammals, which weigh 25 to 30 tons each.

Book an excursion by boat for a guided whale encounter, or swim out to sea with an experienced local outfitter for an immersive experience right alongside the whales.