Kitesurfing Cabarete
KITESURFING CABARETE
INFO AND KITE SURF SPOT GUIDE FOR CABARETE
Introduction
Cabarete is known worldwide as one of the kitesurfing meccas in the world. Many of the past and current pros on the world tour call Cabarete their home for 6 or more months of the year. Until 15 years ago, Cabarete was mostly known as the best place in the Caribbean for a windsurf holiday, but when kitesurfing started to take off in popularity around 2000-2001 many windsurfers converted to kitesurfing. Why? because kiteboarding is an exciting healthy watersport, and even though it looks like a difficult and dangerous sport, it is actually a relatively easy and safe sport to learn.Why do so many people choose Cabarete as the place to learn this new sport?
Ideal Conditions!
See the Learn 2 Kitesurf packages that Swell provides
WHAT MAKES IDEAL KITESURF CONDITIONS
For kitesurfing to be enjoyable you need a steady ( not gusty) wind in the 15 to 25 knots range, which is exactly what Cabarete has. For safety a wind that is side onshore is also ideal ( so when something bad happens you float back to the shore safely) , which is what Cabarete has. Because kites used 22 meter ( or longer) lines you need a good amount of large open beaches, which is what Cabarete has.
WHERE TO KITESURF IN CABARETE
Cabarete kitesurfing 2 main and most known kitesurf spots are kitebeach and Cabarete’s main beach ( often called Bozo beach)
Cabarete ( bozo) beach
The upwind half of the bay is more used by windsurfers, so if you are kitesurfing here, try to stay our of their way. Starting at Ocean One ( in the middle of the bay) the kitesurfing starts, since there’s no windshadow from the point. It’s a large open beach, easy to launch your kite. Good for riders of all levels. This is also the beach where most years the Cabarete kitesurf world cup is held. ( although cancelled unfortunately for 2014)
Dangers:Can get a heavy shorebreak in front Of Laurel Eastman kiteboarding school, if this is the case walk upwind and launch in easier conditions. Other dangers include Dominican riders showing off very close to the shore. 99% of them are world class and know what they are doing, just be careful with the odd one that doesn’t have the kite skills yet.
The locals guys showing their kiteboarding skills at Cabarete beach
Kitebeach
is located about 2 km ( 1+ mile) west of Cabarete, it’s a good kite spot since the water on the inside of the reef is pretty flat, which makes learning easy, for more experienced riders the waves on the reef are worldclass for wave riding and outside of the reef there’s tons of space for experienced riders.
Dangers: Inside the reef can get crowded. The reef is pretty shallow with urchins and fire coral which is pretty unpleasant if you touch it.
In summer ( july and August) the beach gets pretty small because of seasonal erosion so be careful with landing your kite.
Plenty of kite schools and places to rent kites from to be found here.
Playa Encuentro
is about 4 km ( 2,5 miles) west of Cabarete. It’s the most consistent surf spot for surfers in the mornings, but for kitesurfers that like waves, it’s also a popular spot to ride in the afternoon. Lots of kitesurfers take downwinders from bozo or kitebeach. There’s a few spots between kitebeach and Encuentro where you want to make sure you do NOT drop your kite, since there’s no beach, just very sharp rocks.
Dangers: Small place to land and launch your kite. Urchins on the reef are unpleasant. When doing a downwinder keep in mind that the wind is always 2-5 knots lighter at Encuentro.
No kite schools or rentals are found at Encuentro.
Martha (ex Swell manager) riding waves at Encuentro)
La Boca River mouth
6 km ( 4 miles) east of cabarete. A flat water rivermouth / lagoon. Ideal for flat water freestyle training. It’s a nice place to kitesurf when there’s only a few people there.
Dangers: lack of space, relatively small so a maximum of 3-4 riders at the same time.
KITESURF EQUIPMENT FOR CABARETE
What is the best equipment for kitesurfing in Cabarete?
When the tradewinds are present, expect the wind to start kicking in at around 1 in the afternoon, reach max strength at around 3. Average wind strength is around 18 knots, so for and average kiter that weighs 80 kilos (175 pounds) a kite size between 8 and 11 m2 will be most used. Type of kiteboard depends on your riding preference . There are a few kiteboards shops in Cabarete to replace something if it gets broken. Starkites and Bic Carib center are your best places to go to. Although the schools also sell kites , boards and accessories.
WIND FORECAST FOR CABARETE
We use windguru to forecast the wind for Cabarete. Windguru also has a good option to look at Historic wind conditions over the years, to see which months have the best wind average. Our experiences is that the following months have the best chances ( 75% of days with over 15 knots): June, July, August, December, Januari, Februari,March, April and May. the months of September and October vcan be a bit of hit and miss, since there could be some tropical hurricane activity somewhere far away over the atlantic that disrupts the tradewinds.
KITESURF SCHOOLS IN CABARETE
There are at least a dozen kite surf schools in Cabarete. One mistake that a lot of beginners make is to start shopping around for the cheapest kitesurf school. Some schools offers lessons that are half the price of other schools, why? Because they use dated and old equipment and the lessons are taught by unqualified instructors. In my opinion the oldest 3 schools in Cabarete are also the safest and best schools: Laurel eastman kitebaording( LEK), Kiteclub and Dare2Fly at Kitebeach.
SWELL AND KITESURFING
We ( the owners of Swell) love kitesurfing, we have been kitesurfing for over 10 years ( we learned in Cabarete) and we still love the riding conditions that cabarete offers,they are the best in the world. We have kitesurfed in lots of places around the world, but have yet to come across one town that offers such varied kite conditions as Cabarete does,
Swell is a surf camp, but we don’t just focus on surfing. A large part of our clients do a action sport combo package ; surf in the morning and learn to kitesurf in the afternoon. If you are interested in learning kiteboarding on your holiday, have a look at our kitesurf packages, or feel free to send us an email and ask us some questions.
More info on Swell website regarding kitesurfing in Cabarete:
Gallery of Cabarete kitesurf pics
Kitesurf holiday prices with Swell
We hope to see you on the water soon.
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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.
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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
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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!
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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.
“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]
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]