Swell Surf Camp

SURF, YOGA & ADVENTURE

 

Unique Surf Holidays

IN THE CARIBBEAN

Swell provides a luxury surf camp experience with high-quality boutique accommodation, tasty & healthy food, and a unique friendly social vibe between staff and guests, located in the cool tropical surf town of Cabarete, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.

PROFESSIONAL SURF INSTRUCTION

Our in-house surf instructors have years of experience teaching beginners and intermediate surfers how to progress quickly in a fun, safe and quick manner.

The Dominican Republic is blessed with year-round surf, so anytime is a good time to join us.

SOCIAL

For solo travellers , friends or couples, Swell is an ideal place to stay and meet new & like-minded people from all over the globe.

We have a tropical garden, comfortable rooms but what sets Swell apart is the large communal area.

We eat together, surf together and go on adventure trips together.

Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend!

SOCIAL  




SURFING

Surf instruction & surf coaching in the safe and warm waters of the Caribbean.

Our local surf spot is one of the best and most consistent surf spots for beginners to learn surfing in a safe, quick and fun way using our proven & structured approach to surfing lessons.

SURFING




 Surf & Yoga Holidays

Swell Surf Retreat

Watersport

Paradise

If you are looking for an active watersport holiday in warm water, a Swell luxury surf camp holiday should be on the top of your to-do list.

Warm water, white sandy beaches, 1000's of palm trees and fun, mellow waves that are ideal for learning to surf are what the North Coast of the Dominican Republic has to offer. We offer a learn to surf course for people who have never surfed before and want to learn to surf in a safe, quick and fun manner using our structured approach.

It's not just surfing that is on offer at our surf camp, you can also combine your surf holiday with kitesurfing or the new sport of Wingfoiling (wingsurfing). Waves in the morning, windsports in the afternoon.

We can create a customized holiday package for you, with different sports, activities and length of stay. Arrival can be any day of the week.

So send us a message today with your activities and dates.

Watersport

Comfort

We built our surf retreat from scratch with the help of some of the best architects, to be a purpose-built boutique surf retreat, made for comfort and socializing.

At the heart of Swell is a large communal-style open living space where we all get together for surf theory, meals, drinks, and socializing. For solo travelers; there is no easier way to meet like-minded people on your holiday!

All our rooms have an ensuite bathroom, are fitted with AC and fans and crispy clean sheets, so you'll sleep (S)Well.

We hope to welcome you at Swell soon.

STYLE
Caribbean Surf camps

SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

I AM NEW TO SURFING, IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?

Teaching people how to surf is what we specialize in here at Swell.When we started in 2009 we set out to be the best surf camp for beginners. We have qualified surf coaching instructors that can teach the sport of surfing in a safe, fun and quick manner.

The surf spot where we teach is an ideal place for beginner surfers. The waves on the inside are mellow and the water is about chest deep. There are no dangerous rips, currents or sea creatures here.

There are many places around the world that are great for advanced and expert surfers, but not all great surfing spots are ideal for learning to surf. Where we teach at Playa Encuentro, just a few miles west of Cabarete truly is an amazing spot for learning how to surf. For more information on our surf coaching program, have a look at this page.

To see what our purpose built surf coaching resort looks like, go to this page. Swell has been voted the world’s best beginner surf camp for adults for many years in a row.

I AM TRAVELLING SOLO, IS THAT OK?

About 70% of the clients who come to Swell Surfcamp for a surf yoga retreat & active surf holiday, travel solo. As a result, it’s real easy to meet like-minded travellers from all over the world. We surf together, we have breakfasts and dinners together, so if you are looking for a social surf holiday then a stay at Swell will definitely be a great option for you.
Have a look at reviews on external sites like Tripadvisor, and you will see the social aspect at Swell as the no.1 recurring theme. And it’s not just the single and solo travellers who enjoy the company of new friends. For couples or groups, it’s also a great way to make new friends from all over the globe.

Here is a screenshot of the last bookings at Swell to give you an idea of the age and the solo travelers versus groups.

ON WHICH DAY SHOULD I ARRIVE?

At Swell we don’t have a fixed arrival day. We realise flight prices can change day by day, so you are free to arrive any day of the week at Swell.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Swell Surf camp is located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, in the centre of the cool Caribbean surf town of Cabarete. We chose this location of Swell because it’s right in the centre of Cabarete, so the beach, restaurants, shops and bars are all within walking distance from Swell. There’s no need for a car rental during your surf vacation at Swell. More info about Cabarete can be found here.

I’M A BEGINNER SURFER, WHEN IS BEST FOR ME TO COME?

If you are a complete beginner surfer, you have the best choice; here in the Dominican Republic, where we teach our surf lessons, there are very few days of the year where you wouldn’t be able to surf as a beginner. This means that the whole year is open for you to take lessons as our surfing lessons are undertaken on the ‘inside’ of the reef (so you are protected from larger waves whenever there is a swell running).

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY ABOUT SWELL

Have a look on Google or Tripadvisor where you can see a list of over 300 reviews from genuine Swell clients who went on a surf vacation with us.
Below is an aggregate of the latest reviews on Swell Surf Camp.

Google filterGoogleTripAdvisor filterTripAdvisor
Tatiana Perlroth Avatar
Tatiana P.
27 Sep 2023 - Google
Loved the camp and people working there. Everyone was very friendly and genuinely cared for you having a great time. The accommodations are smartly designed and well run so you have everything you need and more. Clean, thoughtful and beautiful. The food was always fresh and delicious. The camp manager Haudy was so welcoming that I've got a feeling as... read more
Kaye Mao Avatar
Kaye M.
17 Jul 2023 - Google
We had a great time learning to surf with Neno and the gang as total beginners. The rooms look like the photos and the food they cook is phenomenal. 10/10 would come again!
Swell
Coraline1985 Avatar
Coraline1985
New York
5 star rating
10 Jul 2023 - TripAdvisor
I spent 6 days at Swell Surf camp. I highly recommend this boutique style accommodation and outstanding quality surf lessons. Each day I partook in two surf lessons. In between we all gathered for an AMAZING breakfast. I am already missing the food and I have been home just 2 days. Words cannot describe how nutritious and delicious... read more
Swell
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ABOUT SWELL

ABOUT SWELL :

After living in the Dominican Republic for 9 years and loving the great outdoor watersport lifestyle, Jeroen (from the Netherlands) and Clare (for the UK) decided it was time to share their knowledge of the Dominican Republic all that this stunning country has to offer with visitors from around the world.

Clare and Jeroen were already familiar with surf retreats, surf resorts and surf camps in many different countries and had to stay in some very ordinary surf accommodations in their quest for great surfing waves, they knew that there was something missing in the market of surf camps; a place which was still social, but offering better quality boutique surf retreat accommodation, great food, nicer beds, cleaner rooms: A stylish, luxury surf retreat with surf lessons and surf coaching.

They set about designing the kind of place they would want to stay in themselves:  the best luxury surf camp for adults.

THE WORLD’S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT LUXURY SURF CAMP!

So they hired a renowned Swiss architect for one purpose: to come up with the world’s first purpose-built, luxury surf coaching retreat/  resort.

Since opening in the winter 2009/2010 Swell surf instructors have taught 1000’s of people how to surf in a safe, fun and structured manner. Swell has won multiple awards and has 100’s of excellent reviews from happy guests. Swell continues to be one of the top surfing destinations for couples, groups and solo travellers to go to as the best surf camp holiday.surf camp reviewsIt’s not just surfing on offer at Swell; You can learn to kitesurf, learn wingfoiling, take yoga classes, go horse riding on the beach or in the mountains and enjoy some truly spectacular outdoor adventure trips like canyoning for example.

Swell offers package surf holidays that take all the hassle out of the planning, transport to the beach and much more, so all Swell guests can enjoy a stress-free luxury surf retreat experience. You just have to book your flights, and they will take care of the rest!

With great food being such an important part of anyone’s surf vacation, Swell delivers there too; with superb home-cooked food at the camp and on the evenings when guests go out to dinner, a large choice of restaurants offering a comprehensive choice of dining are all within a few minutes walk.

So if you are looking for the best surf camp experience, we are confident that you will have a great time at Swell Surf Camp.

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  • Think of Swell as the anti-surf camp. There’s plenty of surfing, of course, but the similarities to other surf camps end there. For starters, the rooms are stylish — more boutique surf retreat than reggae-loving surfer digs. Then there are the legendary breakfasts (omelets, pancakes and crepes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and fruit bowls). Structured surf lessons take place each morning, with an instructor alongside you and the head surf coach watching from shallow water, ready to offer learn to surf tips between riding waves. If you are serious about learning to surf, then Swell should be on top of your destination list. Highly recommended!

    Reference Source:
    [Frommer’s Travel Guides]

    Designed with the discerning surfer in mind, Swell is far from a crash pad. The spare clean lines, plush bedding, modern photographs and funky furniture say ‘boutique surf retreat’ but the pool, ping-pong and foosball tables and social vibe suggest otherwise. A huge wood communal table is the center of the hanging-out action, after all the surfing is done. Highly recommended!

    Reference Source:
    [Lonely Planet]

  • SWELL

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    4.94 Stars - From 333 Reviews