About the Port
Cayo Levantado is a small island just off the Samaná Peninsula on the Dominican Republic's northeast coast, prized for its clear, warm water and stretches of soft sand shaded by coconut palms. Long a favorite retreat for regional visitors, the island has appeared in vintage advertising that earned it the nickname "Bacardi Island," though today it draws travelers simply for its relaxed, low-key beach setting.
Most calls here are tender visits, with launches ferrying passengers from ship to shore in a short crossing. Once on the island, the pace is unhurried: swimming, wading in shallow lagoons, and short walks along the shoreline make up the bulk of the day. The surrounding Samaná Bay is also known for humpback whale migrations at certain times of year, making the area a gateway to broader excursions beyond the island itself.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Cayo Levantado.
Swim the Main Beach
Calm, warm water and soft sand make this the island's main draw; settle in early since loungers and shade fill up as tender groups arrive.
Walk the Island's Perimeter
A short shoreline path loops past quieter coves and palm groves in about 30-40 minutes, offering a look at the island beyond the main beach.
Take a Whale-Watching Excursion
Samaná Bay is one of the world's prime humpback whale nurseries; a separate boat trip from the mainland can be combined with island time when migration timing allows.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Cayo Levantado
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 16 | $8,960 | |
| Jan 11, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 9 | $5,325 | |
| Jan 11, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 18 | $10,400 | |
| Feb 12, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 16 | $10,240 | |
| Feb 19, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 16 | $9,960 | |
| Feb 19, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 9 | $5,435 | |
| Nov 27, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora IV | 7 | $4,200 | |
| Dec 30, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora IV | 7 | $5,505 | |
| Jan 12, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $6,400 | |
| Jan 19, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $6,050 | |
| Jan 22, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora IV | 7 | $4,020 | |
| Jan 26, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $6,050 | |
| Feb 2, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $6,050 | |
| Mar 4, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora IV | 7 | $4,020 | |
| Mar 20, 2028 | Regent | Seven Seas Grandeur | 27 | $15,149 | |
| Mar 20, 2028 | Regent | Seven Seas Grandeur | 12 | $7,599 | |
| Apr 1, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora IV | 7 | $4,200 |