Los Haitises National Park is a treasure for the DR and the Samana area. It is rich with mangrove canals (one of our favorite things to do is float inside mangroves), massive rock cliffs jutting out of the water, an abundance of birds of all varieties, fish jumping, and caves for exploring with drawings centuries old from the Taino Indians, the first inhabitants of the DR. Although we didn't stay long, we thoroughly enjoyed our trek over there (about a 2 hour trip motoring the whole way, or about 11 miles). If you are in the area, don't miss it. We were anchored all by ourselves which is another favorite thing to do and while there were tour boats coming in and out in the day time hours, they weren't obtrusive or rude.