From the conditions on land to those in the water, the weather throughout Samana is constantly superb. Never more than three degrees will separate the average air temperature from the average sea temperature in this beautiful resort, which results in an ideal climate for all outdoor activity.
Samana is in the Dominican Republic, which in its turn is part of the island of Hispaniola, one of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Seahe island also comprises one other country, Haiti. The island's majestic territory was described by Christopher Columbus as "the most beautiful land in the world," and to this day the Samana Peninsula is recognised as the gemstone in the crown of the Dominican Republic. It is truly one of the country's greatest destinations.
In Samana, there is generally one season only: summer. The climate on the island is a semi-tropical maritime climate, with a temperature averaging about 26°C for the majority of the year. This makes this location in the Dominican Republic stunningly idyllic and perfect for a beach holidayll-year round.
This specific coastal subtropical climate results in very little seasonal variation. Although the rest of the island has a larger discrepancy in the climate between winter and summer months, with water on both sides of the peninsula, the ocean's power moderates the fluctuations in temperature in the resort.
Summer All-Year Long
The subtropical climate throughout Samana, with its ever-present trade winds and lukewarm water in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean, creates year-round enjoyable weather and only a few degrees' difference in temperatures between what would be classified as winter and summer in colder regions. Weather conditions are gloriously stable throughout the entire yearainfall is the only exception; there are noticeable dry and wet periods.
The climate in the period from December until April is arguably the best of the year. Even for the duration of those irregular winter days, when a "northeaster" gusts in from the North American continent, a light windbreaker is all the extra clothing needednd then only in the eveningss the average temperatures will generally drop to only 24°C at the minimum. January is the coolest month of the year with its 24°C average. Bearing in mind the fact that the warmest months of the year, June through to October, have an average temperature of 27°C, only three degrees more than the annual minimum. In the afternoons, the mercury varies between 29°C and 31°C throughout the year; at night, the average low temperatures range from 19°C to 23°C. There is little variation, indeed.
In the middle of "winter", the sea temperature averages 27°C, which is extremely high by all accounts. In the water temperature, too, there is almost no significant difference between the annual low and high, ranging between 26°C in February and March and 29°C from August through to October.
Sunshine is also reliably consistent throughout the year. The average number of sunshine hours per day ranges between 7 in December to 9 in April and from June through to September. This is due to the resort's tropical location, fairly close to the equator.
December and January are among the driest months of the year, receiving respectively 71mm and 52mm of rainfall. Only February and March are drier with 31mm and 32mm of rainfall. Even though there is no actual "rain season," as found in numerous other tropical climates, there are, in fact, a number of months that receive a higher amount of rainfall, often throughout the period from May through to November. Monthly rainfall totals should never exceed 152mm, which is recorded in September. October is also one of the wettest months, receiving 140mm, while August and November come in third with 104mm. Annual rainfall is quite moderate in Samana, considering that it is a subtropical island destination in the Caribbean.
The annual increase in precipitation begins in late August, which is when a seasonal change in the weather conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean boosts the northeasterly flow of moisture across Central America and into the Caribbean. From January until early March, cold winds moving south from North America could bring in a couple of days of turbulent rain. The effects of fronts like these, however, typically don't last more than a few days. Generally speaking, summer is characterised by some afternoon thundershowers, which are mainly limited to the immediate Samana Bay area and the peninsula's western part.
The Dominican Republic is situated in the centre of the Caribbean's hurricane belt. Even though severe storms and hurricanes are uncommon, August to November are considered the region's hurricane months. With today's advanced warning systems, these large gales pose little threat to the visitors of Samana. Also, the course of most hurricanes results in their bypassing this region. If you happen to visit Samana in the wetter part of the yearhe hurricane seasonust be aware of it and keep an eye on the current weather forecast. Most often, there is nothing to worry about in this particular corner in the Caribbean.
To summarise; Samana, one of the Dominican Republic's greatest destinations, a wonderful place for a sun-sand-and-sea holiday pretty much all-year round. All major weather factors, from sunshine to air and water temperature, are amazingly constant. The only variable, really, is the amount of rainfall. Typically, December through to March is the driest part of the year; August through to October the wettest part of the year. Visitors wanting to go snorkeling and scuba diving are advised to visit in the drier months, as underwater visibility is much then.