Samaná, in full Santa Bárbara de Samaná, is a city and municipality in northeastern Dominican Republic and is the capital of Samaná Province. It is located on the northern coast of Samaná Bay. The city is an important tourism destination and is the main center for whale-watching tours.
The main economic activities of the municipality are tourism, agriculture and fishing.
The largest boost to local economy takes place in Jan-March with the annual migration of thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales that come to the Samaná Bay to give birth. Samaná is the center of the country's tourism during these months.
Since 2006, cruise ships have been visiting Samaná. Over 100 ships have visited during recent years with close to 100 ships visiting during the cruise ship season of October 2010- August 2011. The season 2011 to 2012 will take a dip and only see around 50 cruise ships scheduled but will increase sharply back up to close to 80 ships scheduled during the season for 2012 to 2013.