Your surf camp looks great, I am interested in booking, how do I proceed?
We are glad you like our place, and we would love to welcome you here in sunny Cabarete. To make a reservation, contact us first to see if there's availability at the time that you want to come. We promise to reply within a day! If we have space for you we require a deposit which can either be made by wire transfer or via PayPal. Once you have your flight arrival information, send us an email with airline, origin, flight number and arrival time and we'll be at the airport to pick you up.
I think I found a cheaper place to stay in Cabarete, for something that 'looks or 'sounds'' similar?!?
Sure, there are a few places that are cheaper, if price is your only criteria when you choose a place for your holiday, then maybe Swell isn't for you. However if you want to stay in a new & quality place, at a superb location with the best vibe, then we are 100% sure there's no other place that compares to Swell.
Still going to stay somewhere else? That's fine with us too, maybe come and have a quick look at our place whilst you are in Cabarete, and you'll realize that Swell is one-of-a-kind, and that you are missing out on good times. Guaranteed!
What does the 'camp' thing mean? Is it for kids? Are we camping in tents? Basic?
Noooo,we are not camping in tents. We called it a camp because the social aspect is important for us. However that doesn't mean that it's basic hostel accommodation, in fact we'd go as far as saying that not many hotels in this town provide more comfortable rooms then we do.
Average age from clients , between 18 and 50 years, (if your 68 year old grandma wants to learn to surf; bring her along if you want, she might have some surf talent, make sure she has a good sports insurance though ;-)
Where is your surf camp located?
See this map of Cabarete to see where Swell is located
When is the best time to come?
Depends on what sports you are after, check this page for more info on the weather / wind / waves here in Cabarete
I want to bring my kid along, is that ok?
Swell surf camp is not really suitable / set up for children under 10 years old, since we do not provide supervision , nor do we have specific safety measures in place for young children.
Questions regarding kids? Send us an email
I want to cook my own meals, is there a kitchen?
Yes there is a kitchen, however for sanitary reasons we do not allow the clients to self cater in our kitchen. We serve an excellent healthy breakfast and within 5 minute walk there are at least 5 good restaurants that serve a very afforable good meal.
What is the town of Cabarete like?
The town itself consists of one main street which runs parallel to the beach, with a few other minor roads leading off. The beach itself is a huge bay of water sports heaven, about 4km in length and along 1km, this is lined with a great choice of tasteful restaurants, bars and clubs. The bay is very beautiful both in the day and at night – you’ll be dancing under the palm trees.
How do I get to the Dominican republic?
Best is to fly into Puerto Plata ( airport code POP) since it's only 20 minutes away, alternatively Santiago (Airport code STI) which is 1.5 hours away, or last resort is Santo Domingo (airport code SDQ). Here's a list of which airlines flies where.
Do I have to bring my surf board with me?
No, you don’t. We have a large selection of good boards that you can rent for the duration of your trip. When you think about how much the airlines charge for carrying boards now, around $80 to $100 each way, + the damage that can be done to your board, it’s not really worth bringing your own. Check this page for our selection.
What’s in the communal areas?
We have a large dining area and games area, complete with a great pool table, table tennis table, fussball and a variety of board games. In our pretty garden, you will find a lovely swimming pool with LED and fibre optic lighting and chairs and hammocks and oversized bean bags to lie around on.
Where is Swell located?
We located Swell in the best position in town; walking distance to the best bars, restaurants and shops, but far enough away from the noise of the main street so we get to sleep very well!. The kitesurf beach is a few minutes walk away,
What about distance to the surf beach?
The main surf beach is a few minutes drive away, there's nothing there but a pretty beach and surf ,and we take our clients there when they want, a few times per day if the surf is good. Swell crew are always the first ones in the water in the morning.
Will I need a car?
Almost certainly not. The camp is in the center of town – the beach, bars and clubs are an easy walk. The camp has its own bus for the daily surf outings and we can organize day trips for you on request if you want to explore this fabulous landscape.
What documents do I need for entry into the Dominican Republic?
You will need valid passport and upon arrival, you must purchase a tourist card costing US$15. A $20 departure tax is also levied at the airport; both must be paid in US currency.
What about holiday Insurance?
We recommend that you take out a normal holiday insurance policy for your trip and make sure that it does not carry exclusions for any sports you will be undertaking.
I am traveling alone and nervous about that?
It is easy to find the spirit of adventure once you get here. Our Camp is just the right size and has a comfort level to feel like a home from home. We have set up the facilities to encourage socializing - you will make new friends easily in our Surf Camp.