Samaná, Dominican Republic

Wanderlust had spent 79 days of our 90 day cruising permit in the Dominican Republic, and we were beginning to feel like it was our second home. We loved this great country, the food, beer, and people, but sadly we knew it couldn’t be forever. We needed to make our way east, towards a safer harbor to post up for hurricane season, and chose Samaná as exit port for the long journey to Puerto Rico.

We arrived in Samaná after several long nights of jittery motoring into the easterly winds from Luperon, along the DR’s choppy northern coast. Along the journey we’d had several issues with bad fuel in the engine, and really uncomfortable conditions trying to motor into the trade winds. We pulled into our slip at the lovely Puerto Bahia Marina mid-day, ready for some calm, quiet, sleep, and anything that didn’t involve the sailboat engine.

Ben was keeping a close watch on the weather, looking for our window to start the notoriously thorny Mona Passage to Puerto Rico. But the weather for the next several days was high winds and choppy seas, a “no go” sailing scenario for Wanderlust. While we waited for the weather to calm, we took our time at the luxurious marina in Samaná, and enjoyed a little vacation from our sailing sabbatical.

Our slip at the marina cost roughly $40 per night, which is extremely high by our typical cruiser standards. Remember, we had just come from Luperon, which charged $2 per day for a mooring. The marina cost was a splurge for us, but nothing in comparison to the million dollar villas and lavish hotel rooms lining the marina’s attached hotel complex. Fortunately, as guests of the marina, we got access to all the hotel’s lush amenities. That meant an air conditioned gym, showers, laundry room, trash disposal, free Wi-Fi, a billiards room with television, and two gorgeous infinity pools. Sweet!

We hit up the freshwater pool every single day with a few cold Presidentes. We hadn’t seen a swiming pool one of these on our entire 10 month cruise, and couldn’t get enough!

We enjoyed the air conditioned gym... once... and ate a few delish lunches out at the posh cafes onsite.

Although marina life was great for Ben and me, Ruca sadly wasn't invited to the pools or the fine restaurants. With no beach on the grounds, we were banished to the one grassy knoll to play frisbee, or the boat ramp at the back of the marina to let Ruca cool off and get some excersice in the water. The good news is that Ruca's not picky. She has just as much fun at the slippery boat ramp as she does romping on a white sand beach.

Before we knew it, a week or so had passed, and we were up to day 86 of our 90 day Dominican cruising permit. In order to avoid paying a slew of fees, and dealing with the crazy bureaucracy of the customs and immigration office to renew our permit, we needed to get on our way out of the country. Thankfully, the weather report was on our side, with winds under 15 knots and seas 1-3 feet for the next 3 days - a definite Mona Passage green light.

Exactly on week after arriving to Samaná, we readied Wanderlust, gave ourselves a pep talk, and set out on the most dangerous passage of all of the Caribbean, the Mona Passage.

Thanks for Reading,

Ben, Quinn and Ruca

#destinations #DominicanRepublic