Day trips

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.

From $89 · per person

The signature trip

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.

As seen in

Off the water

More ideas
for a time well spent.

From the saddle to playing a round of golf — 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.

Beach side dining

The reason why we don't arrange more dinners at Swell is because you'd miss out on the fabulous beachside dinning under the palm trees in Cabarete bay. A variety of internal cuisines is offered in various price ranges. Dining between 6pm and 11pm. After that, if you are looking for it, there's a fun beach party, most nights (although the biggest party nights are on Fridays and Saturdays.)

various, from $ to $$$ Cabarete Bay · 5 min walk

ii.

Horse riding

Cross rivers, valleys and mountain tracks: Tommy is truly an expert horseman and guides every step — no experience is required.

From $45 Sabaneta · 30 min taxi

iii.

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.

Lessons & hire Cabarete Bay · 5 min walk

iv.

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.

From $45 Sosúa · 15 min taxi

Shopping in Cabarete

Cabarete's charming main street is just a short walk from Swell — perfect for browsing new bikinis or boardshorts, picking up local rum and cigars, or hunting for tourist gifts in the small, character-filled shops.

Free (or very expensive) Cabarete, short walk

vi.

Go diving

Just fifteen minutes from Cabarete, Sosúa is the North Coast's diving hub, with warm, clear water and easy access to reefs, walls and a couple of wrecks. Boats head out from the bay to sites teeming with tropical fish, coral formations and the occasional turtle or ray, suiting both first-timers and experienced divers. Beginners can try a discovery dive with an instructor, while those without certification can complete a full PADI course during their stay. It's an easy half-day trip that pairs well with a morning in the water back at Swell.

Sosua ( pickup from Swell)

vii.

Play golf

The Dominican Republic's North Coast is home to some of the Caribbean's most scenic golf, with courses set along dramatic cliffs and ocean views within easy reach of Cabarete. Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata offers a classic layout with tropical fairways, while further along the coast, Playa Grande is often ranked among the world's most beautiful courses, its holes carved right into oceanfront cliffs. Both welcome visiting players and can arrange clubs and carts for the day. It's a relaxed way to spend a morning or afternoon off the water, with stunning Atlantic views at every turn.

Various

viii.

Mountain biking

Explore the lush hills and trails surrounding Cabarete on a guided mountain bike excursion with Swell. Ride through the Dominican Republic's countryside, past local farms, jungle paths, and scenic viewpoints, with a route suited to your group's fitness level and experience.

Cabarete area

ix.

Visit the Blue lagoon

A day trip to the Blue Lagoon takes you inland to one of the Dominican Republic's most striking natural swimming holes, its crystal-clear turquoise waters set deep in a lush jungle setting. Cool off with a swim or jump from the rope swing.

Laguna Dudú - 1 hour

Road trip to stunning beaches

Playa Caletón, Playa Grande, and several other stunning white-sand beaches lined with palm trees can be combined with the Blue Lagoon trip — swim in crystal-clear water and enjoy lunch on the beach with a fresh coconut (or piña colada) in hand.

xi.

Culture & History in Puerto Plata

Visit the 16th century Fortaleza San Felipe, wander the colonial streets and Parque Central, then explore the island's other passions: a cigar workshop rooted in centuries-old rolling traditions, a rum tasting tracing its sugarcane heritage, and if timing allows, a local baseball game where the national obsession comes alive.

Puerto Plata, 1 hour taxi

xii.

Jungle zip lining and monkey jungle

Just a short drive from Cabarete, Monkey Jungle combines an adrenaline-pumping zip-line circuit through the rainforest canopy with an up-close visit to rescued squirrel monkeys roaming a protected reserve. Soar between platforms high above the treetops on a series of cables, then wander the jungle paths where the monkeys often climb right onto your shoulders for photos. It's a fun half-day mix of thrill and wildlife, easy to combine with lunch or another nearby stop.

$100 Sosua, 25 minutes

Help is on hand Our Surfing Beach

All arranged for you

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.

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.

From our guests

Don’t take our word for it.
Take theirs

4.9 300+ Reviews

Megan S

Age: 43
From: San Diego
Level: Beginner
Travelled: Travelled solo

If I could give Swell 10 stars I would!! My partner and I visited Swell at the end of March 2026. We had an absolutely amazing trip. The rooms are clean and spaceship. The A/C works great and had warm water to shower. The WiFi is spotty in the upstairs rooms but works perfectly in the downstairs communal room. The staff is above & beyond!! The meals were some of the best I’ve had. The surf instructors are phenomenal.. they work with your experience and levels of surfing and join you for breakfast & dinner nights. The yoga is great mostly long holds and stretches which are great after 2 sessions of surfing. Haudy is the best. She runs the place and without her Swell wouldn’t be Swell. I highly recommend doing the canyon tour with Helmut. And last but not least the people that I stayed there with honestly became my family for the week. I honestly want to come back!

Tripadvisor April 2026

Aerial view of the cove at Swell, Cabarete

Plan a trip join us at Swell

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SWELL

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300+ REVIEWS

5 nights Minimum stay

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Vacations
well spent.

The Dominican Republic is mountainous, very green, and laced with fast rivers and deep canyons.

There is far more here than the ocean.

Canyoning,
the magic mushroom.