Kitesurfing Camp

Learn kitesurfing on your holiday

Kitesurfing Cabarete

The kiteboard capital of the world!

Learn to kitesurf holiday

Cabarete is widely regarded as one of the top places in the world for kitesurfing. Why? Because Cabarete is unique in that it combines steady & side-onshore wind (so you can’t get dragged out to sea), warm water and wide open sandy beaches. Cabarete is ideal for kitesurfers of all levels, from complete beginners to experts (Dominican kite surfers are amongst the best in the world!)

Swell Surf Camp
Swell Surf Camp Kitebeach

Kitesurfing

conditions

There are several different kitesurfing spots in Cabarete. Cabarete beach  is just a few minutes from Swell Kitesurf Camp and Kite Beach is just a short moto ride from Swell. Both spots are favoured by kitesurfers of all levels. There's flat water for learning in summer and both beaches provide wide-open areas for freestyle riders to practise their tricks or big airs. Wave riders will love the offshore reefs that have waves year-round.

Worldclass
Swell Surf Camp Lessons

Kiteboarding

Learn to kitesurf with the top kitesurf school

Our Swell partner kitesurfing school is a short walk from our place and is renowned for using only high quality, up-to-date equipment and international IKO instructors who speak a variety of languages, including French, German, Dutch, Spanish and English.

Kiteboarding

Learning curve

Kitesurfing (also known as kiteboarding) looks like an incredibly difficult sport, when in reality it has a relatively short learning curve. It can be however a dangerous sport if you don’t take lessons from a real pro, using quality equipment, who can teach you the essential safety procedures. Owned by a world-renowned international kiteboarding champion, our partner kiteschool is housed in state-of-the-art facilities right on Cabarete main beach, just a few minutes walk from Swell Surf Camp

Their IKO course will guide you through the basics of how the wind works, wind direction and flying a trainer kite safely on the beach, before hopefully moving you up to a larger kite with the power to drag you through the water; the very thing that makes kitesurfing such an adrenaline rush!

More info on learning to Kitesurf with Swell Kite camp can be found on this page

Kitesurfing lessons start at $79 per hour / per person with 1 on 1 instruction.

Package pricing is available , see this page for more detail


SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

CAN I TAKE A KITE-LESSONS COURSE AS WELL AS THE LEARN TO SURF COURSE?

Surfing and taking kiteboarding lessons are an ideal mix as the wind required for kiting generally arrives in the afternoon, leaving the less windy mornings perfect for your surf lessons.

We can custom tailor you a kitesurfing holiday package, for beginners who want to do a learn to kitesurf package , or for experts who are just looking for a real cool place to stay and hang out with fellow kitesurfers on their kitesurfing holiday in Cabarete.
Just contact us, and we’ll create the perfect kitesurfing package.

I DON’T WANT TO TAKE SURF LESSONS, CAN I JUST TAKE KITEBOARDING LESSONS?

Yes, you can, just click on the pricing page and select the kite lessons tab to check what your price will be. Even though we are called Swell Surf Camp, maybe we should have called it Swell Surf & kite Camp. People that want to dedicate their whole stay to kitesurfing make up a large group at Swell.
Have a look at the learn to kitesurf page for more info

WHAT MAKES CABARETE SO IDEAL FOR KITING?

As kitesurfers ourselves, we have visited many kitesurfing destinations around the world to see what the kitesurfing conditions are like at other kiteboarding spots. After many visits, we realise that Cabarete really is one of the best spots in the world for kitesurfers of all levels. And that is why the Swell Kitesurfing camp are very popular amongst our clients
Why? For people who want to learn kitesurfing, Cabarete offers:

  • Steady / stable winds
  • Ideal wind strenght: between 14 and 20 knots
  • Ideal direction: Side onshore for safety
  • No motorised watercrafts in the area
  • Predictable wind patterns
  • No dangerous water life (sharks)
  • Large beaches

For intermediate and advanced kitesurfers, Cabarete is also a true kiters dream:

  • Steady wind
  • Flat water spots
  • Waves for kite wave riding
  • Great downwinders
  • Active social local kite scene
  • Cheap kitesurf equipment on sale
  • Expertise from local kite pro’s

There’s a reason why a lot of the world’s best kitesurfers spend many months of the year, training and enjoying all that the Cabarete region has to offer for kiteboarders.
So if you are interested in a kitesurf holiday destination or want to Join a Swell Kiteboarding camp, choose Cabarete, you will not be disappointed!! For more information on Kitesurfing Dominican Republic have a look at this page

WHERE ARE THE KITESURF SPOTS?

The Dominican Republic has many different kitesurfing spots.

KiteSurfing in Punta Cana is done close to some of the all inclusive resorts, but the wind is generally a lot lighter than in Cabarete

Las Terennas , about 2,5 hours drive east of Cabarete is one of the nicer kitesurfing spots in the Dominican Republic. Not many waves and the wind is generally 5 knots lighter than in Cabarete

The Cabarete area is the center for kitesurfing Dominican Republic with several different kiteboarding spots, all within a short radius.

cabarete kitesurf spot map

Large map here

Want to learn kitesurfing in the Dominican Republic? See this page.

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.

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY ABOUT SWELL

Swell has been open since 2009 & on several external websites such as Google reviews, TripAdvisor and Facebook you can read what our clients say about us.

Here’s a sample review from Vanessa on tripadvisor
Swell guest reviews

 

 

 

 

“I had an amazing trip to Cabarete thanks to Swell! I was extremely nervous doing my first solo trip internationally as a female – especially during the pandemic.

Clare, the owner of Swell, took the time to answer all of my questions leading up to my trip, and provided me with very informative and helpful information for planning my trip logistics.

Once I arrived in Cabarete, I felt so safe and taken care of by Swell! Haudy, the manager on-site, is amazing and she is available to you with any questions or logistics planning you may need during your trip. The surfing instructors I had that week – Neno, Henry, and Daniele – were very professional, experienced, and friendly instructors.

Safety was their top priority. They were very patient, taking the time with each person to make sure they were excelling at their own pace all week. I progressed my beginner surfing capabilities so much thanks to them! They were truly a pleasure to hang out with and made everyone feel welcome and included. I also did kiteboarding lessons with LEK kiteboarding while at Swell which was another great experience.

The food and accommodations at the surf retreat were great. I stayed in one of the private rooms – it was spacious, cleaned daily, and the beds were very comfortable which was important for how much physical activity I was doing each day. The breakfasts and dinners are beautifully prepared healthy, tasty, and all local dishes.

The cooks were so friendly and would make adjustments for your needs. Being a directionally challenged person, Swell’s location made it easy to access everything you needed within walking distance – from Cabarete beach, restaurants, bars, shops, etc. Thank you to everyone at Swell that made this an incredible experience!

I look forward to going back someday soon!”

 

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME FOR KITESURFING?

Cabarete, On the North Coast of the Dominican Republic ( where we are) is widely considered one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world. Year-round you can find ideal wind for learning to kitesurf, although some months have better statistics than other.
Mid September to Mid October is hit or miss, since that is hurricane season. Meaning hurricanes travel well north or well south of the DR, but this can change the wind pattern for a while.
More info on the best seasons for surfing and kitesurfing can be found on this page >>


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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]

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