The Dominican Republic is one of the world's most famous destinations for whale watching, as every January whales make their journey to the southern latitudes, arriving in Samana Bay, where they remain until the end of March to calve and form new mating pairs.
According to the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Tourism, although the official humpback whale watching season begins in January, whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) flock to the Banco de la Plata and Banco de la Navidad shoals from various points across the North Atlantic as early as the end of December.
Thousands of tourists flock to the Samana Peninsula to hear whales sing melodic "serenades" to their females, which can repeat for hours or even days. These enormous animals, reaching up to 18 meters in length, meticulously court each other, frolicking and releasing fountains of water up to three meters high, and take the matter of starting a family very seriously. It is here that newborn whales prepare with their pod for the return journey north.
Tourists are taken to the whales by boat. It's a good idea to bring sunscreen, water, comfortable clothing, and motion sickness pills, as you can be out at sea for quite a while.
There's an easier way to see whales: from the free land-based observatory in Punta Balandra. Besides whale watching, tourists can visit the marine sanctuary and whale museum.
The safety and well-being of whales are protected by the state, so only certified companies are allowed to conduct water excursions. Special inspectors ensure that boats carrying tourists do not approach whales closer than permitted for their type of vessel, and whale diving in the Dominican Republic is completely prohibited because the animals are frightened by the sound of divers' exhaled breath.
Source: travel.ru