North VS. NE Coast?

[LoriK]

Our family will visit the DR (1st time) this April. From all my research on the regions, I have narrowed it down between the North or the NE Coast for our location. Can anyone offer me any input after reading the following:
We are a very active family that LOVES nature. We are interested in being located on the beach for all the great water sports. (kayaking and snorkling especially), BUT, we absolutely love to explore and hike and even mountain bike. I have read a lot about some great waterfall and canyon hiking ect. We do not want to have to travel very far to get to some good hiking and great nature spots to explore. We do NOT care about night life, golf, or casinos. We look for less-touristy, less-crowded, not as built up, areas.
Any comments or recommendations?

[A&J]

We fell in love w/ Samana about 6 years ago and have been going back whenever we can. Santa Barbara de Samana is the main town. The road through the penisula passes through numerous hamlets until it ends at the beach in Las Galeras. Las Terrenas is another main destination. Las Galeras is the less developed and touristy (for now).

The beach at Playa Rincon is magnificent and can be reached by car (although many will tell you that you must take a boat). There are several other small remote beaches in the area with various levels of accesability. The waterfalls at Limon are also a 'must see/do'.

Its not my thing but there is plenty of hiking and biking terrain. Snorkling is so-so, and I don't know about fishing. April might still offer some whale watching opportunities - out of Samana.

We have been to some places on the North coast - Puerto Plata, Caberete, Sosua etc - but we keep ending up in Las Galeras. (TMI ?)

[Berzin]

Check out Iguana Mama - Mountain Biking, Hiking & Ecological Adventures

They offer some nice adventure activities, including mountain biking. Good group of people who run it.