Camping and Whale Watching in Las Terrenas, Samana, or Las Galeras

Wow,  I don't think I have ever seen a tent other then in the store on the Conde in Santo Domingo. It is a sporting goods store.  See if you can find a sporting goods store in Santiago, that is likely your best bet if you do not want to come to the capital.

No idea on best beaches but I will let our  Samana specialist know and she can  likely help.

I have never seen anyone camping on the beaches. But like Planner said maybe some of our LT folks will weigh in on this one

Bob K

Camping on the beaches here can be a little precarious ( I know because for the last 4 years we have done this every two months with the Peace Corps Volunteers Scuba Camps) The best option if you don't the aggravation of buying a tent (they are very scarce here) is to contact El Cabito who have a camp area and, I believe, tents.  If they haven't let me know as I have a couple for rent.  Some tourists were out with us yesterday and were thrilled to see 3 young males frolicking (do whales frolic?) just outside Rincon Bay,  El Cabito terrace is a good look out area and people often see them from the balcony there. Let me know lif you need any help or advice.

thank you very much. i tried to contact el cabito and got a response that they were booked up. not sure if that meant for camping. do you know anything about Hacienda? She has tents to rent. would really like to buy one or two though. have any ideas where we should look? we will be passing through samana tomorrow.

I am very excited to hear the whales are frolicking! I've watched them from the shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, and I envy the joy they seem to express when they play. I would love to go out in a boat to see them, but I am afraid it is too expensive for our family of four.

I may know of another place for camping here in La G but I cannot confirm it until tomorrow.  There is nowhere in Samana to buy tents (we got ours in Santo Domingo from Pricesmart) Will get back to you tomorrow.  We may be able to do something about whale watching but will not promise

i hope to hear from you. If we could set something up on a boat for whale watching that we could afford, it would be so wonderful. Watching the humpbacks is a spiritual experience for me. my email is [Moderated]
we are staying at La Hacienda for the next two nights.
if you want to sell any of your tents, we would be interested to use them when we go to our land in Baharona.

I am having your email address removed from this post.  Please do not give that out publicly!  Thanks.

Best to always send that by private message.

ok sorry. wasn't thinking.

No worries honey!

Sorry, we can't sell ours as we use them for the Peace Corps Scuba Camps we run.  I heard some tourists on their ay to Playa Fronton hiking, spotted a small group of whales during the walk

yes, how funny. they are staying here at the hotel we are at tonight and just told us their story. I went walking and saw several spouting in the distance but wasn't close enough to really see them, but I was very happy to know they have arrived.

We may walk to Playa Fonton in hopes of seeing them better.

We did see whales! but not while walking. we took one of the local boats from las Galeras. Very nice person, but as a lady from Nova Scotia said, "They're cowboys."  As soon as we spotted a whale, he gunned the boat in the direction of the whale and called all the other boats looking for whales near Playa Fronton to give its position. Pretty soon we were in a wild sight, chase, and race with other boats to get close to the whales. If I were a whale, I would be scared or at least nervous and definitely not interested in breeching.

Next time, I'll go out on a boat with Kim Bedall who practices correct and safe whale watching.

FYI Karin at Hacienda has a couple of tents and for a reasonable feel lets you camp in her yard with full access to kitchen and a bathroom.

With out a doubt Kim has the best operation going and is active in the "whale" community and research.  She would love to see all of the "cowboys" ride off into the sunset. They really do create a problem for the whales.

Bob K

Thanks for the feedback. It's important for us here.  Yes these cowboys do a lot of damage and need to be shut down!

I think we are going to Samana again in a week and will use Kim this time. She's a bit more expensive, but it will be worth it.

By the way, after 6 months of living in the DR, we have to go back to the USA. Thanks for all your help. I have one more question.

My husband's computer screen has gone white. Can you guys give me the names of some reputable computer repair shops in Cabarete, Sosua, or Santiago or Baharona?

Thanks a million!

Oh no, sorry to hear you are going home!!!!!  Just to be sure - was it something we said??  Just kidding, we will be sorry to see you go. You know if you need anything from us just ask.

Computers - I only know one place in Puerto Plata, I am sure one of the others will step in with ideas for you.