The Sanctuary Committee has established a set of rules or regulations designed to protect this endangered species and to guarantee the security of the people interested in observing them.

The humpback whale season extends every winter from December to April.

Boat captains and crew will continue to be trained. Environmental education programs directed towards the whale watching tourists will also be developed.

Whale Watching Regulations

-The vessels visiting the Sanctuary must obey the following regulations:
-The vessel and/or their occupants must not come any clos- er than 50m from where the whales are found, and less than 80m when in the presence of mothers with their calves.
-In the whale watching area, only one vessel may be ob serving the whales.
-The presence of various vessels together, be they small or large, confuse the whales.
-Each vessel must not stay longer than thirty minutes with any given group of whales.
-Each vessel must not make any sudden changes in direction and/or speed when near the whales.
-No objects may be thrown into the water, and no unnecessary noise may be made when near the whales.
-If the whales come closer than 100m from the vessel, the motor must be put in neutral until the whales are seen receding from the vessel.
-The vessel cannot interfere with the swimming direction or the natural behavior of the whales. (Whales can leave their natural habitat if harassed).

Whale Watching Measures

-Only 3 boats are allowed to whale watch at the same time, the same group of whales. Other boats must stay 250 meters away waiting for their turn to whale watch making groups of 3.
-Distances between boats and whales are: for mother and calf, 80 meters, for groups of adult whales 50 meters.
-When approaching the whale watch zone, at a distance of 250 meters, all engines must be in neutral until is their turn to whale watch.
-Boats are allowed to watch a group of whale for 30 minutes, if they want to continue whale watching they have to find another group. At the end of the
season the whale watch time could be half depending on the amount of whales and visitors.
-No boat is allowed to let their passengers swim or dive with the whales on Samaná Bay.
-All passengers on a boat less than 30 feet must have a lifevest on at all time.
-Flying over the animals is prohibited at less than 1000 meters of altitude.