Best Surf Camps for Beginners: What to Look For (2026)
Best surf camps for beginners: what to look for (2026) Not all “surf camps” are the same thing. Some are dorm-style hostels with a surfboard rental desk bolted…
Read more
Best wingfoil spots for beginners: where to actually learn in 2026
The short version The best wingfoil spots for beginners share four things: water deep enough to clear your foil, a sand bottom, side-shore wind, and enough of it…
Read more
Why a Family Surf Holiday to Swell Works So Well
Planning a holiday that genuinely works for everyone in the family is harder than it looks. Parents want adventure and a little relaxation, teenagers want something that doesn’t…
Read more
Learn to Surf in the Caribbean: Best Islands for Beginners
The short answer Yes, you can learn to surf in the Caribbean, but not on most of the islands the “best Caribbean surf” lists send you to. Those…
Read more
Surfing vs Wingfoiling: Which Should You Learn First? (2026)
The short answer Wingfoiling gets you to your first proper thrill fastest: most beginners are flying inside a week. Surfing gets you standing up in the first or…
Read more
Learn to Wingfoil at 40, 50 or 60 — Is It Too Late?
TL;DR: Yes, you can learn to wingfoil in your 40s or 50s. Age is not the barrier most people fear. With good coaching and steady wind, complete beginners…
Read more
Learning to Surf at Swell: Beginner Surf Retreat
There’s a particular kind of magic in catching your first wave. One moment you’re paddling, slightly breathless, slightly unsure; the next you feel the ocean lift you and…
Read more
WHY CABARETE IS THE ULTIMATE WINGFOIL DESTINATION
Cabarete, our home town, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, has rapidly become the ultimate destination for wing foiling enthusiasts. With its reliable trade winds, warm…
Read more
SOLO SURF TRAVEL FOR WOMAN
Solo female surf travel: safety, single rooms and what a week alone really looks like You’ve had the page open before. A sun-bleached beach, a woman mid-wave, arms…
Read more
HOW HARD IS IT TO LEARN SURFING
The short answer About 95% of our adult beginners stand up on a broken wave in their first session. But standing up is not the same as surfing.…
Read more
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS. COSTA RICA FOR A SURF HOLIDAY DESTINATION
By Jeroen Mutsaars, co-owner of Swell · Cabarete, Dominican Republic TL;DR Dominican Republic vs Costa Rica for a surf holiday comes down to who you are. Costa Rica…
Read more
Do world-class waves make good beginner surf spots?
The short answer World-class is a rating written by expert surfers, for expert surfers. It rewards power, shallow reef and consistency, which are the exact three things that…
Read more
SURFING MYTHS FOR BEGINNERS
9 SURFING MYTHS YOU NEED TO DROP BEFORE YOUR FIRST SURF TRIP If you hang around the internet long enough, you’d think surfing is only for shredded twenty-somethings…
Read more
THE WEATHER IN CABARETE: WHEN TO VISIT
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO CABARETE WEATHER AND TEMPERATURES YEAR-ROUND Planning your surf trip to Swell in Cabarete, Dominican Republic? Understanding the weather patterns and temperatures throughout the year…
Read more
LEARNING TO SURF AFTER 40
The short answer No, 40 is not too late. Nor is 50 or 60. Around 95% of the adult first-timers we coach stand up in their opening session,…
Read more
LEARNING TO SURF VS KITESURF VS WINGFOIL – WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
LEARNING TO SURF VS. KITESURF VS. WINGFOIL: WHICH WATERSPORT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? The ocean has never been busier with adventure seekers chasing waves and wind. Whether you are…
Read more
THE 6 BEST SURF CAMPS FOR BEGINNERS
The short answer The thing that decides whether a beginner surf camp works is not the destination, the pool or the photography. It is how many people share…
Read more
WHY NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO LEARN WINGFOILING
WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN TO WINGFOIL AT SWELL SURF CAMP Hey, I’m Jeroen, one of the founders of Swell in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Let me break it down…
Read more
WHAT LEVEL OF SURFER AM I
What Level Of Surfer Am I? “What level of surfer am I?” is one of the most useful questions you can ask before you book a surf trip…
Read more
Surf Camp vs Surf Retreat: What’s the Difference?
TL;DR — A surf camp is usually the budget option: a converted villa or shared rooms, lots of surf, a younger and busier crowd. A surf retreat costs…
Read more
SURFBOARDS FOR BEGINNERS
BEST SURFBOARDS FOR BEGINNERS HOW TO PICK A SUITABLE BEGINNER SURF BOARD Now that you’ve had your first surfing lessons and have decided to continue your surfing career,…
Read more
THE PERFECT WAVES OF WELLNESS
The Perfect Wave of Wellness: Why Surfing and Yoga Create the Ultimate Mind-Body Experience In the quest for perfect balance in fitness and lifestyle, more people are discovering…
Read more
LEARNING TO WINGFOIL
Why You Should Learn Wingfoiling This Summer Looking for your next adventure this summer? Meet wingfoiling—the perfect blend of freedom, thrill, and accessibility. Whether you’re chasing a new…
Read more
SURFING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SURFING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC THE ULTIMATE SURF TRAVEL GUIDE Name: República Dominicana (Dominican Republic) Capital: Santo Domingo Location: Caribbean region Lat / Lon: 19°00′N 70°40′W Currency: Dominican peso Language:…
Read moreDon’t take our word for it. Take theirs
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
Plan a trip
join us at Swell
POP
25 Min
SWELL
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.
Any day
Arrival
Limited
Availability
300+ REVIEWS
5 nights
Minimum stay