The Dominican Republic's water experiences match the country's coastal geography — a long northern Atlantic coast, a southern Caribbean shore, and a run of offshore islands that reward boat-based exploration. Catamaran excursions from Punta Cana to the offshore reef snorkelling sites, boat tours to the Samaná Peninsula to watch humpback whales from January to March, and river launches through the Los Haitises mangrove national park are each different registers of what on-the-water Dominican travel looks like. Sunset sailing from Puerto Plata, kayaking the Chavón River near La Romana, and glass-bottom boat tours above the Catalina Island reef add further options for visitors who want to be on or in the water.