Description of the
Sanctuary of Humpback Whales
in Samana or (jubartas -yubartas)
Humpback Whales Watching in
Samana
One of the most beautiful tour in Dominican Republic is the
Visit to the Sanctuary of Humpback Whales in Samana, Dominican Republic. Samana's
whales are well known. Each year 3 to 5 thousand humpback whales return to Bahia de Samana
and adjacent waters to give birth and mate for the following year. From January until
March, frolicsome males can be observed vying for the attentions of demure females.
Sky-rocketing, standing on their tails (and heads, too!), flippering, tailing; all sorts
of antics may be observed under carefully controlled conditions aboard excursion boats
staffed by knowledgeable personnel. Excursions leave from Samana Harbor and several other
points along the north shore of the bay. Samana's whales are truly an international
treasure and are fully protected by the Dominican government.
Thousands of humpback whales migrate to Samana
Bay every year for the breeding season, which runs from
January through March. Their journey is a long and slow
trek spanning from the polar regions of the North
Atlantic to the warm and clear waters of the Caribbean.
Regrettably, over the centuries, whale hunters have
decimated the population of these magnificent creatures
to the point of near extinction. But, thanks to the
efforts of organizations such as the International
Whaling Commission (IWC), humpback whales along with
other species, have received world protection since
1966. However, there is still a long way to go for full
recovery. The world population of humpbacks has reached
approximately 40,000 or about 30-35% of its original
levels.
Humpbacks can be easily observed, either at their
feeding or breeding grounds. Whale watching has become
an increasingly popular worldwide activity, and the
Dominican Republic is fortunate to have one of the
largest and best humpback breeding sanctuaries in the
world.
The
Dominican government enforces strict whale protection
laws and guidelines to ensure the safety and
conservation of these wonderful animals. Whale watching
can be a thrilling experience for anyone interested in
nature and the preservation of our natural resources.
We must
continue to respect and protect these incredibly gentle
giants so we can enjoy them for a long time to come. The
following photos are images of what one would see on a
typical whale-watching tour in Samana Bay, Dominican
Republic.
Colonial Tour and Travel offer you
this beautiful excursion leaving from your hotel by comfortable and secures boats from
the typical port of Samana, including lunches and beverages and assisted by an official
guide in English language.
Hotels in Samana? /
Special
Offer
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