We had a great time learning to surf with Neno and the gang as total beginners. The rooms look like the photos and the food they cook is phenomenal. 10/10 would come again!

Terrific Surf Adventure for Solo Traveller I spent 6 days at Swell Surf camp. I highly recommend this boutique style accommodation and outstanding quality surf lessons. Each day I partook in two surf lessons. In between we all gathered for an AMAZING breakfast. I am already missing the food and I have been home just 2 days. Words cannot describe how nutritious and delicious my diet was during my stay at Swell. Lessons are led by experienced, award-winning instructors. I learned so very much and cannot even believe the small hard surf board I graduated to by day 4. You really do learn from the best. I also have to mention how much fun it is to ride in the van with everyone to Encuento Beach Beach. This transportation is prompt and safe. We all enjoyed music, laughter, and chatter on the way to and from the beach each morning. Haudy, Swell's Manager, is completely focused on making your stay a wonderful time. She is so kind and welcoming. She is smart and does not miss a beat. You are in good hands with Haudy. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I always looked forward to yoga with Molly and followed by a delicious meal cooked right in the open dining room beside the pool. I got to sit down with my new friends and surf instructors and celebrate the joys of each day. Tuesday and Thursday I spent dinner at various restaurants on the beach just a... I spent 6 days at Swell Surf camp. I highly recommend this boutique style accommodation and outstanding quality surf lessons.

Each day I partook in two surf lessons. In between we all gathered for an AMAZING breakfast. I am already missing the food and I have been home just 2 days. Words cannot describe how nutritious and delicious my diet was during my stay at Swell.

Lessons are led by experienced, award-winning instructors. I learned so very much and cannot even believe the small hard surf board I graduated to by day 4. You really do learn from the best. I also have to mention how much fun it is to ride in the van with everyone to Encuento Beach Beach. This transportation is prompt and safe. We all enjoyed music, laughter, and chatter on the way to and from the beach each morning.

Haudy, Swell's Manager, is completely focused on making your stay a wonderful time. She is so kind and welcoming. She is smart and does not miss a beat. You are in good hands with Haudy.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I always looked forward to yoga with Molly and followed by a delicious meal cooked right in the open dining room beside the pool. I got to sit down with my new friends and surf instructors and celebrate the joys of each day.

Tuesday and Thursday I spent dinner at various restaurants on the beach just a 5-7 min walk from Swell house. There is SO much to do and see on your free time.

Cabarete is an amazing place! The culture, food, and weather is outstanding.

My bedroom at Swell felt like home! The bed is super comfortable. The bathroom and room is tidy and clean. The AC and fan make returning "home" from hot days in DR so such a luxury haven. I slept so well in my room each nap and evening.

I also took advantage of the excursions. I signed up for the Canyoning trip. I got to see some new sites, continue with my fitness/exercise, and swim in cool waters.

I will go back to Swell! It was amazing.

HUGE thank you to the staff, instructors, security, chefs, housekeepers, and Michel (transportation). More

Terrific Surf Adventure for Solo Traveller I spent 6 days at Swell Surf camp. I highly recommend this boutique style accommodation and outstanding quality surf lessons. Each day I partook in two surf lessons. In between we all gathered for an AMAZING breakfast. I am already missing the food and I have been home just 2 days. Words cannot describe how nutritious and delicious my diet was during my stay at Swell. Lessons are led by experienced, award-winning instructors. I learned so very much and cannot even believe the small hard surf board I graduated to by day 4. You really do learn from the best. I also have to mention how much fun it is to ride in the van with everyone to Encuento Beach Beach. This transportation is prompt and safe. We all enjoyed music, laughter, and chatter on the way to and from the beach each morning. Haudy, Swell's Manager, is completely focused on making your stay a wonderful time. She is so kind and welcoming. She is smart and does not miss a beat. You are in good hands with Haudy. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I always looked forward to yoga with Molly and followed by a delicious meal cooked right in the open dining room beside the pool. I got to sit down with my new friends and surf instructors and celebrate the joys of each day. Tuesday and Thursday I spent dinner at various restaurants on the beach just a 5-7 min walk from Swell house. There is SO much to do and see on your free time. Cabarete is an amazing place! The culture, food, and weather is outstanding. My bedroom at Swell felt like home! The bed is super comfortable. The bathroom and room is tidy and clean. The AC and fan make returning "home" from hot days in DR so such a luxury haven. I slept so well in my room each nap and evening. I also took advantage of the excursions. I signed up for the Canyoning trip. I got to see some new sites, continue with my fitness/exercise, and swim in cool waters. I will go back to Swell! It was amazing. HUGE thank you to the staff, instructors, security, chefs, housekeepers, and Michel (transportation).

My best surf camp experience, so far........ I’ve just returned from a 10 night stay at Swell safe camp. I have to say it was one of my best holiday experiences of all time and I’ve been on a lot of vacations, including surf camps in several different countries.
I am well used to traveling alone, but as a 51 year old, I wasn’t sure at first to believe how well I would fit in at a place like Swell. From the moment I enter the building (which looks even better in real life than the photos) all my fears and anxieties were relieved. I don’t think I’ve ever walked into such a welcoming space.
Neno, the chief Surf Instructor and the other guys were all there to greet me, along with the wonderful Haudy, who is managing the place.
My first surf lesson began the day after my arrival, but before that I was asked about myself experience so that they could make sure I was placed in the right group which was encouraging.
As an 'intermediate surfer', I was generally with Henrri who I found it to be incredibly helpful and encouraging. Even though I have some surf experience, I learned a lot more tips and advice from the team who were always on hand to help. Neno particularly offered extra advice if he saw me making errors. The pool paddle practice, and the theory lessons were also quite useful to me.
The food, both breakfasts and dinners were superb, and the overall ambience of the place was second to none when I compared to other surf camps I have visited in the past. Rooms are spotlessly, clean and very relaxing to be in.
I even tried a couple of hours of wing foiling lessons which I thoroughly enjoyed but as I didn’t start until the fourth day of my trip unfortunately I run out of time to make enough progress.
I would definitely choose Swell again and my advice would be to start the other activities sooner rather than later if you want to learn them too! Thanks Swell team, Justine.

Just returned from a week at Swell and am already trying to figure out when I can return. The surf coaches are all great and work closely with you throughout your time in and out of the water. They truly wanted you to succeed every day by providing any feedback and encouragement needed. The accommodations were clean and perfect for the vibe swell is going for. The room was cleaned daily and never did I feel unsafe in the room or the location. Your safe is large enough for a smaller laptop and valuables so you do not need to worry when not onsite and a security person is there throughout the night to ensure your safety. The food each day was wonderful and they were happy to change things to your liking if needed. There are also tons of great options for food nearby and easily walkable. The transportation was always on time to ensure you got to the break earlier than anyone else out there, we even left slightly earlier a few days to ensure we go the best conditions thanks to Neno's suggestion. Yoga was also great and well taught, highly recommend it at the end of a long day. Haudy was very helpful in arranging excursions and any additional needed transportation/suggestions. Clare also checked in to see how things were going during the week which was a nice extra touch. Best of all is meeting likeminded folks from all over who became close friends by the end of the week. If you need a reset and active vacation I highly recommend swell, it truly is like going to camp as an adult!

Wonderful time. Went solo and a bit last minute but booking with Clare was easy and prompt. Met some amazing people and ate amazing food but most of all, tried surfing (something I never thought I’d attempt in my lifetime). I could not go daily though because it took a toll on me so I paced myself. Also did yoga all 3 days (loved Molly whom was patient with me and helped with my form and I’m now convinced to do more of it), snorkeling (I’ve never been dropped out in the middle of the ocean to snorkel before and the guide was super calm and patient) and canyoning (also first time and I took every single jump into the cool water! hiking park was great - more my jam), all easily arranged by the manager. Staff on site from night guards to the cooks, cleaner/repair guy and the manager were great. Drivers were cool too! Neno, mad props to this guy. Wonderful surf instructor who cares about teaching and helps you have fun at the same time. The guy clearly takes his job seriously. The rest of the team were super chill too. I may bring my little girl out next time for her to try it out when she’s strong enough to lift a board on her own. I wish there were direct flights. I loved how intimate everything was, but how there was a bit of “city life” in the small town it was in. I’ve never been fond of being in the ocean after some trauma in the past but I made myself do it in my 40s and I am so glad this team helped me get past my fears! YOLO.

Simply a Great Experience!
I just spent 10 days at Swell in December, 2022. I had a super time. As a result of a large storm in the Mid-Atlantic, the surf was larger than normal. So, as a beginner surfer, I spent my time in the secondary whitewater. But I still enjoyed it thoroughly.
The surf instructors, led by Neno, were such nice guys -- Henry, Danny and Melvin. In fact, the entire staff at Swell, led by the manager Houdy, was super-professional and super-accommodating.
Food was great, room was clean and tasteful, and the other guests were an amiable mix of folks from England, Canada and the U.S. I'd definitely recommend Swell for those that want to learn to surf and have a lovely time in a stunning place.

We completed our stay last week at Swell and had such a fantastic time! Overall, the experience was so different than any other vacation we have done in the past. The atmosphere at Swell and the team running the operations were very professional, and I can't say enough about them and the welcoming environment they provided to us daily.
The breakfasts every day and the quality of their home-cooked dinners Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were delicious!
We enjoyed the like-minded guests during our stay. It's like the Swell Universe brings the right people together to collaborate for healthy conservations and experiences.

Great trip: food, service, fellow guests, and surf instruction all exceeded expectations. And management was a huge help replacing broken phone!

This review is long overdue as I have been twice to this surf camp. A gem of a place to treat yourself to for an active vacation! With luxurious en-suite accommodations with all amenities provided for (more than basics), such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bath towels, and beach towels... Just bring your bathing suit! The rooms are cleaned everyday. The meals were among the best I've ever had, prepared with care by two smiling local ladies. If only I could eat like this year-long...Two long surf sessions to perfect your skills starting early in the morning. It was the most natural wake-up call to go greet the ocean each morning, chauffeured by a happy-go-lucky Miguel. The facilites (outdoor pool, pool table, baby foot, communal dining areas and lounge) were good for social interactions, or quiet alone downtime. A step away is the beach and Cabarete, a town full of locals and expats, with restaurants, bars and shops to explore. Don't forget to book the canyoning activity, one of the most memorable physical activities. I also lucked out in trying wind surfing at no cost, some local surfer just kindly offered a free lesson... And most of all, I felt so lucky to meet all the persons, working at Swell or vacationing there, and to be in such great company! Special shoutout to Neno and Haudy, who basically make this place THE place! A must for people who despise all-inclusive resorts where alcohol flow freely with nothing to do but lounge around... You will love this place!

Highly Recommend! Such a great experience and so much to do along with surfing. The Swell rooms are exceptionally clean. The staff are all so friendly and accommodating. The surf instructors are some of the best I’ve ever had. The management is wonderful and organized. So nice to have a swell taxi pick us up to drive a short distance, to surf every day. I felt well taken care of and happy in this beautiful place!
I am looking forward to returning.

I had an absolutely amazing time at Swell surf camp. Everyone was so kind and made me feel so welcome. This was my first solo trip and I couldn’t have asked for a better one!! The food was incredible. The surf coaches were very helpful (it was my first time surfing ever and I learned a lot) definitely want to continue learning how to surf! Definitely want to go back soon!!

As someone who has visited surf camps around the world for nearly 30 years, Swell really stands out. It is not geared towards your experienced, frothing ripper, rather Swell does an outstanding job of welcoming and teaching beginners and the less experienced surfer. I would recommend Swell to anyone 20 to 60 years old who dreams of learning to surf. The social experience is just great, too. You might hear five different languages around the communal table, all expressing their stoke. The staff, food, and instructors are all top notch. I just completed my third visit, and I will definitely be returning for a fourth.

This review is long overdue, but a testament to how much this establishment deserves the merit. I stayed at Swell in July 2021 and had the most incredible experience! From booking your experience with the owner to arriving and being greeted by the warmest host to practicing how to surf with some of the greatest instructors I've ever met, to eating freshly cooked meals, to making friends that will keep in touch for a lifetime. Truly, this was a stay that I will remember forever. I have been surfing for a few years now, but would still consider myself a beginner - intermediate level. The techniques I have learned in Cabarete, have definitely brought me to the intermediate level and I still use as a winter surfer in New York City! If you are having any doubts, please shoo them away as you would be missing out if you didn't experience Swell in all its glory. This summer I look forward to visiting Swell Bali!

Just spent my first week at Swell and it was amazing. The staff goes out of their way to make sure your stay is wonderful. The food was delicious and the surf instructors were cool and laid back (Neno, Henry, Melvon, and Dani). The accommodations are simple but comfortable. The place is clean and the landscaping is beautiful. Hoping to go back next year!

I had an amazing trip to Cabarete thanks to Swell! I was extremely nervous doing my first solo trip internationally as a female - especially during the pandemic. Clare, the owner of Swell, took the time to answer all of my questions leading up to my trip, and provided me with very informative and helpful information for planning my trip logistics. Once I arrived in Cabarete, I felt so safe and taken care of by Swell! Haudy, the manager on site, is amazing and she is available to you with any questions or logistics planning you may need during your trip. The surfing instructors I had that week - Neno, Henry, and Daniele - were very professional, experienced, and friendly instructors. Safety was their top priority. They were very patient, taking the time with each person to make sure they were excelling at their own pace all week. I progressed my beginner surfing capabilities so much thanks to them! They were truly a pleasure to hang out with, and made everyone feel welcome and included. I also did kiteboarding lessons with LEK kiteboarding while at Swell which was another great experience. The food and accommodations at Swell were great. I stayed in one of the private rooms - it was spacious, cleaned daily, and the beds were very comfortable which was important for how much physical activity I was doing each day. The breakfasts and dinners are beautifully prepared, healthy, tasty, and all local dishes. The cooks were so friendly and would make adjustments for your needs. Being a directionally challenged person, Swell's location made it easy to access everything you needed within walking distance - from Cabarete beach, restaurants, bars, shops, etc. Thank you to everyone at Swell that made this an incredible experience! I look forward to going back someday soon!

This place is awesome! Clean rooms, great vibe, WONDERFUL FOOD, and great instructors. I spent a week at Swell in December 2021, and can't say enough good things about it. I didn't make as much headway learning to surf as I had hoped, but the instructors were great and I'd love to go back and make more progress with them.