Family Surf Camps
The ideal active family vacation — learning to surf, kite or wingfoil together in the warm Caribbean. Whether you’re a father and son, mother and daughter, or a large family, you’ll go home with something that lasts.
A real break — for everyone
No shopping, no cooking, no planning excursions. We take care of all of it — so parents genuinely unwind while kids burn energy learning something they’ll carry for life.
“The younger a person starts surfing, the easier it becomes. Every session a child does is the equivalent of 20 sessions for an adult.”
Swell Head Coach
Kids learn faster than adults
Light bodyweight + fearlessness + low centre of gravity. Most kids stand up on their first day. ISA-certified coaches adapt to every age and level.
Purpose-built family rooms
Mezzanine beds accessed by ladder over a California king or twin below. Private ensuite, A/C, daily cleaning. Two rooms side-by-side for groups of 5+.
Boutique, gated and safe
Only 18 guests at a time. The whole property is compact — pool, hammocks, communal table — so younger kids are always in sight.
Adventure beyond the beach
Canyoning, snorkelling, caves, lagoons, fishing — Haudy’s team arranges everything. You barely need to lift a finger. See all day trips →
Incredibly easy to reach
4h direct from New York or Toronto. 1.5h from Miami. 25 minutes from Puerto Plata Airport. Faster than Costa Rica — no internal connections, no long transfers.
The Dominican Republic has it all
We’ve curated the very best of what the DR has to offer — from world-class surf and wind sports to adrenaline-filled mountain trips and lazy boat afternoons. Everything is arranged for you.
Surf Coaching
ISA-certified instructors every morning. From standing up for the first time to working on turns. Kids progress at an extraordinary pace — often faster than the parents.
Kitesurfing & Wingfoil
Cabarete is the action sport capital of the Caribbean. Perfect wind conditions year-round. Mini-courses available so you can combine surfing with a wind sport in one week.
Yoga Sessions
Three Ashtanga-based classes per week — Mon, Wed & Fri afternoons. Designed to stretch exactly what surfing works. Suitable for all ages and experience levels.
Canyoning
Climb and abseil through stunning forest scenery with certified guides. An adrenaline-pumped afternoon the whole family will talk about for years. Best in summer months.
Boat Snorkelling
Trips to pristine nearby beaches with snorkelling in crystal-clear Caribbean water. The perfect mellow afternoon when the family wants to slow down a gear.
Beaches & Lagoons
Secret beaches, stunning lagoons, caves and fishing villages — Haudy knows every one. 15+ years of local knowledge, curated into perfect family afternoons.
When to visit with kids
May to September is ideal for families — smaller waves, safer currents, school holidays and lower rates. Winter (Dec–Apr) is possible but requires children to be 12+ and at least 1.45m tall.
Best
Good
OK / limited
Closed (Sep)
Family packages — fully inclusive
Everything your family needs — no hidden extras
To give you an accurate price, we need to know how many are coming, for how long, and what sports everyone wants to do. You don’t all have to do the same thing — some can surf while others kite or wingfoil.
Popular school holiday weeks fill quickly. We recommend reaching out at least 3 months in advance, especially for July, August and Christmas.
- One quote covers your whole family — all sports, all levels
- Custom packages for mixed skill levels and interests
- Minimum 5 nights, longer stays always welcome
- Saturday arrivals preferred but any day works if available
- We reply the same day with a detailed proposal
“Structured surf lessons take place each morning. If you are serious about learning to surf, Swell should be on top of your destination list. Highly recommended.”
Frommer’s Travel Guides
What families are saying
★★★★★ 4.9 average · 367 reviews · Google & TripAdvisor
Questions families always ask
Everything you need to know before booking. If your question isn’t answered here, send us a message and we’ll get back to you the same day.
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Families are welcome year-round, but school holidays naturally attract more families. For the minimum age we can accommodate, please contact us — it depends on instructor availability and who else is booked that week.
Popular school holiday periods fill up well in advance. If you’re thinking of joining us, send us a message as soon as you know your dates.
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May to September is strongly recommended for families with younger kids. Waves are smaller and more manageable, currents are gentler, swimming is safer, and it’s cheaper. Day trips like canyoning are also easier with lower water levels.
If you want to come in winter (December to April), children must be a minimum of 1.45m (4’5″) and over 12 years old. Adult wave conditions apply and we can’t offer reduced rates for kids during peak season.
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Completely fine — we create custom quotes for the whole family regardless of what each person wants to do. Mix surfing, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, yoga, or just relaxing by the pool. Tell us your wishlist and we’ll build a package around it.
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All instructors are ISA-certified with First Aid and CPR training. Teaching methods are adapted to each person’s age and level. Kids, teens and adults receive coaching suited to where they actually are — not a one-size-fits-all lesson.
In our experience, children often progress so rapidly that by day 3 they’re outpacing the adults in their group — which they absolutely love.
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Longer stays are always welcome — many returning guests stay 2–4 weeks. Ask Clare about long-term rates.
Shorter stays are possible but the minimum is 5 nights. While Saturday is the preferred arrival day, we can accommodate other days if availability allows. Send us your flight dates and we’ll tell you what works.
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Canyoning & waterfall tours, fishing trips, boat snorkelling, stunning beaches, caves and lagoons. Cabarete is also the action sport capital of the Caribbean — kitesurfing and wingfoiling are exceptional here. We arrange all of it.
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Swell is on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, in the centre of Cabarete — a vibrant Caribbean surf and kite town. We are 25 minutes from Puerto Plata (POP) International Airport.
Direct flights from New York (4h), Toronto (3.5h), Miami (1.5h). No internal transfers. From most US East Coast cities you’re at Swell faster than you’d get to Costa Rica or Nicaragua.
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Yes — just tell us about your family’s wishes: who wants to learn what (surfing, yoga, kitesurf, wingfoil), how many people, and your preferred dates. We’ll send you a personalised price and availability quote the same day.