Uncommon Caribbean escaped to the Dominican Republic earlier this year, and while merengue, mojitos and mingling with locals were all part of the fun, the highlight of the trip was definitely our first-ever whale-watching excursion. Being out on a boat is always great, but having the chance to get up-close and personal with some of the world’s largest creatures is simply amazing.
Though still endangered, humpback whales like the ones we saw are making a serious comeback, thanks in large part to conservationist organizations like the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Currently, there are about 40,000 humpbacks roaming the seas (30-35% below original population estimates), and Samana Bay, located along the north coast of the D.R., is one of the best places to see them.