whale watching

We will be in Playa Dorda Feb.8 for one week and my wife is really looking forward to whale watching. I would like to know if there is a lot of whales or is this a tourist come on and is it worth the $70 us they want to go out in the boat.

The whale watching adventure is one of the best excursions in the DR. To check on excursion prices, contact Kim Beddall at kim.beddall@usa.net

I've been searching for 2 mos on the best way to get to Samana Bay from Punta Cana-Catalonia Bavaro. Bus,taxi,rent a car, limo? Is it a difficult ride? How long a ride? Please help me find the answer.

Does this help you at all?:

http://www.caribbeansupersite.com/domrep/samtrans.htm

(link below)

Although it is certainly possible to get to Samana from Punta Cana by bus via Santo Domingo, renting a car will give you a great deal more freedom when you get there. There are a lot of worthwhile things to see in Samana besides the whales. The trip by car is not particularly difficult but I strongly recommend a that you get a tourist map.

Dear Al, I read you posting on this message board and wonder if you have any information on the resort Casa Marina Las Galeras. It is on Playa Blanca. Any advice on things not to miss? Good snorkling sites? Many thanks Leslie

Hi Leslie- Al can tell you more, but during my own travel research (I am going to stay at a house on the same beach as Casa Marina Bay resort in late February), I came across some great photos of that hotel and surrounding area:

http://shimaron.furry.de/GraphicsArchive/HTML/DominicanRepublic5.html and http://shimaron.furry.de/GraphicsArchive/HTML/DominicanRepublic2.html

The resort was formerly called Cala Blanca, named after the beach it lies on. Now that its size has increased from 50 rooms to 250, the name has changed. I haven't been able to find the resort on the net, but they are spotlighted in the new Dominican Republic Vacation Planner (p.37) put out by the tourism council. (In US call 1-888-374-6361 or email sectur@codetel.net.do or dominicantourism@globalserve.net for a free brochure.) It sounds very nice.

I wish I had more info about snorkel sites -- I am trying to find out that information myself!

Good luck and have a great trip - JD