CABARETE IN SURFING PICTURES

Sunrise Playa Encuentro

CABARETE IN SURFING PICTURES

We have a lot of text describing what a surf vacation on the north coast of the Dominican Republic is all about, but instead of writing about how pretty the scenery is here, we thought we’d show you the scenery , landscapes and action you can expect when you visit us.

All Surfing pics and scenery pics are taken by Swell staff in and around Cabarete.

( sorry there’s a fair few sunrise and sunset shots, because we never get tired of them)

25 VISUAL REASONS FOR A (SURF) HOLIDAY TO CABARETE

 

#1

La Boca at Sunset
La Boca at Sunset

Taken at La Boca, a few minutes east of Cabarete. They have a nice restaurant in a local ambience here. Enjoy the Seafood and Dominican food

#2

Presidente Beer
Presidente Beer

Presidente, the local beer of the Dominican Republic. Available everywhere and very tasty.

#3

Sky over the mountains behind Cabarete
Sky over the mountains behind Cabarete

Pretty skies over the mountains just back of Cabarete. Photo is taken from Swell, and most nights the sky will turn some incredible colour.

#4

Fishing boat Las Terennas
Fishing boat in Las Terrenas

Ok so technically this is not Cabarete, however if you are doing an adventure holiday on the north coast then Las Terrenas should be a place to stop for a night. No waves here but a very pretty Caribbean town, some nice restaurants too.

#5

Sunrise Playa Encuentro
Sunrise Playa Encuentro

Playa Encuentro is just a few miles west of Cabarete. This is where we take our guests surfing every day, and since we are pretty much always the first ones at the surf beach, we love taking pics of the sunrise. Palm trees, no development, chill vibes; we are blessed to call this our local surf spot. Want to see more surfing pictures of Cabarete? See our surf pictures gallery

#6

View of Cabarete Bay
View of Cabarete Bay

The stunning bay of Cabarete captured with a drone flying over Swell. Windsurfing, kite surfing and sunbathing is all done at Cabarete Bay. It’s a few minutes walk to the beach where you can also find tons of good restaurants and bars

#7

Swell surf road trip
Swell surf road trip

This surf spot is also not in Cabarete, but it’s only 45 minute drive away. It’s stunning white sand beach, lined with Palm trees. With the right Swell direction it’s also a world class surfing spot.

#8

Playa Encuentro
Playa Encuentro

This is the scenery at Playa Encuentro where we surf. No high-rise condos or McDonald’s signs here, just palms trees and good waves.

#9

Cabarete sunset
Cabarete sunset

The Sky over Cabarete bay at Sunset. This photo is taken on the west side of the bay, looking over Cabarete and kitebeach

#10

Snorkelling in the Dominican Republic
Snorkelling in the Dominican Republic

Just a 10 minute drive west of us is Sosua bay.  No surfing in Sosua but there are some very nice snorkelling spots with plenty of fish to see. At Swell we can organise this snorkelling trip for our guests ( diving and diving courses can be organised too)

#11

La Boca
La Boca

When there is no wind (kitesurfers love kiting at La Boca Lagoon where there is wind), it’s very quiet and peaceful at La Boca. Stroll along the lagoon, sunbathe on the beach or have  lunch at the local restaurants.

#12

Waves at Encuentro
Waves at Encuentro

Playa Encuentro is one of the most consistent surfing spots in the Caribbean. Warm water so leave your wetsuit at home. Have a look at the surf seasons page to see when is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic

#13

North coast scenery
North coast scenery

Drive an hour east of Cabarete and you will come across this stunning viewpoint.

#14

Playa Grande
Playa Grande

Swell regularly organises day trip to Playa Grande and Laguna dudu, See #15

#15

Laguna Dudu
Laguna Dudu

Swim in the amazing deep blue water of Laguna Dudu. There’s a zipline that can launch you into the refreshing deep water.

#16

Kitesurfing in Cabarete
Kitesurfing in Cabarete

Cabarete is considered one of the best spots in the world for kitesurfing, as a result, the local Dominicans are amongst the worlds best. Take a kite lesson in Cabarete or just watch the locals do their incredible moves a few meters from the shoreline. Cabarete beach and Kitebeach are the best places for kite surfing.

#17

Bonfire at la Boca
Bonfire at la Boca

Swell can organise a trip to La Boca, where there will be local food, cold beers and a bonfire. What more could you ask for?

#18

want a coconut?
Want a coconut?

Want a refreshing coconut? ask a local and you’ll have a refreshing drink and bite a few minutes later.

#19

Kitebeach Cabarete sunset
Kitebeach Cabarete sunset

Watch the sunset over kitebeach after a day of surfing or kitesurfing as a great way to end the day.

#20

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) at Cabarete Bay
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) at Cabarete Bay

Flat water inside Cabarete Bay make it an ideal place to take a SUP lessons at one of the SUP Schools in Cabarete. Want some waves. Cabarete reef also has some perfect mellow waves.

#21

Sunset at Cabarete Bay
Sunset at Cabarete Bay

Wander out of Swell and within minutes you are at Cabarete Beach. Stroll along the bars and restaurants where there’s always 1 place that has a happy hour with some good Mojito’s or cold  Presidente on offer.

#22

Pretty beaches
Pretty beaches

The north coast has too many pretty beaches & coves to name them all here. You are never far away from the next spot that is ideal for your instagram shot.

#23

Dinner under palmtrees in Cabarete
Dinner under palmtrees in Cabarete

At Swell we cook dinner 4 times per week for our clients, the other evenings all our clients usually go for a short walk to Cabarete beach to choose one of the many restaurants located right on the beach, so you can enjoy fish or a fine steak ( or pizza) with a cold beer under the palm trees.

#24

Enjoy the tropical plants and animals
Enjoy the tropical plants and animals

The Dominican Republic has very fertile soil, plenty of sun and refreshing rains, as a result there are some stunning plants & trees to be admired. This is a pic taken in the gardens at Swell.

#25

Catch good waves on the north coast
Catch good waves on the north coast

There are many different surf spots to choose from. From easy and mellow spots for a  learn to surf  vacation to reef breaks that are great for advanced and experts surfers looking to get barreled. To see more surfing pictures in and around Cabarete, Dominican Republic go to this page

 

I hope this “Cabarete in surfing pictures” post got you excited for a vacation to the north coast of the DR. There’s a good reason the saying here is

“The Dominican Republic has it all!”

 

We hope to see you soon in Cabarete

See what Swell Surf Camp is all about

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  • WHERE IS SWELL LOCATED?

    Swell Surf camp is located on the North coast of the Dominican Republic, right in the center of the cool surfer town of Cabarete. With 3 international airports to choose from it's also one of the easiest places to get to for a quick surf getaway. Puerto Plata Airport is only 25 minutes away from Swell. On the' getting here' page you'll find the different options of getting to us.

  • ABOUT SWELL SURF CAMP

    Founded in the winter of 2009, Swell Surf Camp emerged from Jeroen and Clare Mutsaars vision. They lived in the Dominican Republic for eight years and spotted a gap in the surf camp market for higher quality accommodations combined with an engaging social atmosphere. Their extensive travel and stay experiences across different countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Hawaii, Indonesia and various European nations fueled their passion to elevate the surfing retreat experience.

    Swell Surf Camp is renowned as the world’s first luxury surf camp tailored specifically for beginners. The founders collaborated with a notable Swiss architect to design facilities that blend comfort with style. This innovative approach ensures every guest enjoys superior lodging and amenities. Since its inception, Swell has taught over 9,000 people how to surf with an emphasis on safety, fun, and structure.

    Our achievements speak volumes. Swell has collected numerous accolades and maintains hundreds of stellar reviews from guests globally. Recognized repeatedly as the leading destination for luxury surf vacations, our commitment to excellence keeps us at the forefront of the industry.

    Beyond surfing, Swell offers a diverse range of activities including kitesurfing, wingfoiling, and yoga classes. Guests can also enjoy horse riding both on scenic beaches and mountain trails—plus exciting adventure-filled excursions like canyoning.

    A crucial element of any vacation is food, and here at Swell we excel. We provide delicious home-cooked meals daily. For evenings out, guests find themselves just minutes away from an array of dining options that promise satisfying culinary adventures.

    For those who prioritize upscale amenities and wellness in a unique setting built around learning surf skills amid profound natural beauty, Swell should be on the top of your surf destination list

     

  • WHAT SPORTS DOES SWELL OFFER?

    It's not only surfing that's on offer at Swell, we also offer learn to wingfoil and learn to kitesurf packages.

  • WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A 1 WEEK LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY

    Dreaming of catching your first wave but wondering if surf lessons are really for you? At Swell Surf Camp, our lessons are designed specifically for beginners, and we mean absolute beginners, particularly those between 40 and 55 from cities like New York, Boston, or Toronto. You’ll never feel rushed, lost, or out of place. Our expert instructors genuinely love teaching, and their approach is as much about encouragement as it is about skill-building. Every instructor carefully tunes each lesson to fit one person, you, so you always get personalized support, whether you’re working on basic paddling, learning to pop up, or building confidence in the water.

    The journey at Swell Surf Camp is about progression, not perfection. You’ll start with the very basics, practicing on the sand before moving into gentle ocean waves with your instructor right beside you. Throughout every lesson, our focus is on clear communication, safety, and keeping things fun. As you progress, our instructors give you feedback in real-time, helping you celebrate small wins and guiding your next steps. You’ll learn solid surfing foundations, water safety, and even the unwritten rules of surf culture. By the end of your stay, you’ll be amazed at your own growth and how natural surfing feels. Don’t wait to discover how transformative a single lesson can be, book your surf adventure at Swell Surf Camp and let your surfing journey begin!

About the author of this article

Jeroen Mutsaars

Co-Owner @ Swell Surf Camp

40+ Years of experience in watersports; from windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing and sailing, to recent foil related sports like wing foiling and foil surfing.
25+ years experience in the surf travel industry, founder of one of the first online surf travel agencies.
Moved to the Dominican Republic in 2004 and co-founded Swell Surf Camp with his wife Clare in 2009.

About
Jeroen Mutsaars
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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. 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]

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    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’. 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]

     

  • PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE

     

    “Our small retreat size guarantees focused coaching, real community, and the perfect experience!”