The Environment Ministry will inaugurate today the Dominican Republic’s first land whale observation point at the southeastern Punta Balandra where the Samana peninsula curves to the north. The observatory, which is easily accessible from Samana city, is opening to coincide with the start of the 2011 humpback whale watching season.

Every year hundreds of humpback whales come to Samana Bay from Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the north coast of the United States to mate and give birth in the protected area known as the Marine Mammals Sanctuary. For years, Samana has been well-known for whale-watching.

For full article, see http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2011/1/15/38289/Environment-authorities-inaugurate-land-whale-observatory

Also see http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/dominican-republic/samana-peninsula/photos:16721.html