There is far more here than the ocean.
Alongside the surf and wingfoiling, the North coast hides canyons, jungle waterfalls, mountain trails and an interesting cultural history — all within a short drive.
Guests always come back from day trips full of stories and adrenaline. Nothing needs booking in advance: tell Haudy what you fancy doing when you arrive, and she’ll arrange extra activities around the week — a free afternoon here, a full day off the water there.
Canyoning,
the magic mushroom.
The headline adventure: hiking, rappelling, sliding, swimming and jumping your way down a living canyon, deep into the green interior of the island. It feels like an adrenaline rush in Jurassic Park.
- The Magic MushroomRappel over a wide cascade, then let go into the deep turquoise pool below — a true geological wonder.
- Ciguapa FallsA short hike through rainforest, then twelve jumps and a string of waterfalls through cool, refreshing water.
Four more ideas
to fill a free day.
From the saddle to the flying on foil — Mix and match across the week; Haudy is your concierge for the week. She has many more ideas to share with you about things to do and places to see whilst you are on this spectacular island.
Learn Wingfoiling
Take an hour's private wingfoiling lesson to see how you like it. Afternoons are windy and it's a shame to waste all those great conditions.
Horse riding
Cross rivers, valleys and mountain tracks: Tommy is truly an expert horseman and guides every step — no experience is required.
Stand-up paddle
Cabarete Bay is a five-minute walk. There you can rent an SUP to paddle around the flat water bay, or take the board out to the reef 200m offshore for a few gentle waves.
Snorkel & dive
A short taxi ride to the beautiful bay at Sosúa, then a boat to a couple of reef spots — crystal water and colourful fish. You can also take a PADI course for full dive certification.
Your host with
great local knowledge
Think of Haudy, Swell's manager, as a personal concierge — a Cabarete local who knows every operator, restaurant and interesting place. Tell her what you’d like to do and she'll handle the booking so you get the absolute maximum out of your vacation. Some local culture or a visit to a historical town? A game of golf or need a tennis court or a gym? Don't worry, the Dominican Republic has it all and Haudy will organise it.
- Nothing to pre-bookArrive first, decide with Haudy once you are at Swell. Our trips tend to be slotted around the surf and the wind.
- Weather & numbersA few adventures are weather-dependent or require a minimum number. Most run every week.
- Half-day or full dayTake a morning, an afternoon, or a whole day off the water to do what you feel like doing.
Other than watersports
your questions answered
How rest days and adventures work around the retreat. Anything we’ve missed? Just use the contact us and Clare will reply within a day.
No — nothing needs booking in advance. Tell Haudy what you fancy doing and she’ll arrange it around the surf, the wind and your energy levels.
No, each additional activity needs to be paid for. Prices are on the Day Trips page of the website and if you want to do something that is not featured there (and there are so many we don’t have space for them all), Haudy will tell you the cost before she arranges the trip.
Often, yes. Plenty of trips are half-day, so you can surf in the morning and ride horses in the afternoon, or take a whole day off entirely. The week works around you.
It’s fully guided, with all the kit and a thorough briefing. You choose your run — the gentler Ciguapa Falls or the headline Magic Mushroom. Of course these are exhilarating adventures and all carry a degree of risk. You’ll be given full safety gear and will be with highly experienced guides. All the canyoning and waterfall trips require very grippy shoes/sneakers that can get wet.
A handful of adventures depend on conditions or a minimum number. We won’t send you on a trip if it’s not safe. If one can’t run, Haudy will suggest an alternative — there’s never a shortage of things to do on the north coast.
Watersport paradise
Tell us your dates, how many people you are thinking about coming with, and we’ll send you a custom price and availability quote; almost instantly. Hasta pronto, see you soon.