Swell: simply the best I never write reviews, but feel compelled to do so, as I prepare to leave Swell after 15 days of bliss. My body is battered, but this place uplifts the soul like no other. Everybody connected with Swell is amazing. The surf instructors become real friends and interact with guests throughout. Genuine guys and so helpful. Haudy is great at organising everything. The cooks prepare the best, healthy and hearty food. The taxis to the beach get the party going. The security guys and cleaner are super friendly. Really impossible to pick a fault. Rooms are both clean and beautifully simple. Book the yoga too; Molly the yoga teacher is so much fun and keeps the classes challenging, but fun. I haven't even mentioned the other guests....fabulous people throughout my stay, without exception. Will miss you Swell Surf Camp. Until next time....

Amazing Surf Camp! Swell was absolutely amazing. First of all, it is extremely clean and rooms are cleaned daily. Secondly, the women cooks do an incredible job preparing meals. So tasty and fresh. Still obsessing over mango. Haudy is incredibly warm and welcoming. Great spot for a solo traveler or group of friends.

Cabarete feels like it's still a locals town and much more authentic Dominican than you would receive in a resort town. Super laid back town but with fun bars and restuarants and cute smaller establishments. Everything is walking distance from the camp. You can find pure relaxation or lots of fun at the camp. It is whatever YOU make it!

Jeffrey, Neno, and Lee are incredible instructors. They alone are worth the trip. They are supportive and patient in the water but also fun and entertaining. I would have never have gotten up on the board without them and their incredible teaching/coaching.

Overall, I can't wait to be back and will continue to spread the word! You have a new fan/Swell family member.

Amazing!!! I recently got back from a week stay at Swell and it was everything I hoped for and more! I went as a Solo traveler so I'm always a bit nervous heading in, not knowing what to really expect, but the second I stepped into Swell everyone treated me like family and the nerves instantly went away.

The Manger, Haudy, is a complete sweetheart and will go out of her way to make you feel conformable and make sure you have everything you need. The surf instructors, Lee and Neno are 2 of the friendliest guys you will ever meet. Both of them have amazing personalities and really want to see you succeed on the water and do an amazing job teaching you to surf. Both of them also go well out of their way to socialize and are happy to answer any questions you have about the area. They made the entire Swell experience even that much more amazing and I left with two incredible friends in them.

Food was soo good. Chefs are in there hours before the dinners setting up and prepping for a delicious meals. Breakfast was also top notch!

Oh, and I can officially tell my friends I know how to surf now :)

If you are on the fence about staying here, I assure you that you will NOT be disappointed!

Amazing place to surf and relax with great people! I was a solo traveler, first time in a surf camp. I didn't know what to expect, but everything turned out to be exactly as the website says! I had surfed once before, but had no real experience. I had a blast! Since it was low season, I basically had private lessons with Lee and he was great at teaching me the basics. I started out with the big soft top board and left the camp having surfed green waves with a hard top board! The beach we went to surf was Encuentro. The time I was there, it was pretty rowdy, with wind picking up pretty early. I still enjoyed surfing, but it was quite the task to get out there! The camp itself was great! Very well organized and there is always someone on duty. Haudy is a gem and made me feel right at home! I was in the dorm room, and it was exactly like the pictures! Clean, big and enough privacy. The staff was super friendly and the cooks made the best food! Breakfast and dinners were amazing. The ambiance in the camp will vary depending on who is there. When I arrived, there was a mix of families and solo travelers, everyone was super energetic and the group was very close. After a couple days, the camp was very quiet and relaxed with only a few guests. It stayed pretty calmed for the rest of my trip, but we all went to eat together, which was nice!

I would definitely recommend this surf camp! The amenities were awesome, everything was designed with care and the surf schedule was perfect!

Great people make an amazing vacation! We just finished a week at Swell and wished we had stayed longer. We are total beginners to surfing, but met a few seasoned surfers at Swell. We were the only couple with mostly solo travellers and had a great time meeting people.

This place is special; not just for beginners to learn how to surf, but it has just the right mix. Great instructors (Neno, Lee, and Ben), great team lead by Manager Haudy, and a great atmosphere. The owners, Clare and Jeroen have put a lot of thought and care into Swell.

The brunches and dinners at Swell are amazing! And well earned after two surf lessons a day. Food around town (Gorditos, Vagamundo Waffles, and Casa di Papi on the beach) are reasonable and tasty. The camp itself is intimate, clean, and modern. Wifi in the rooms is weak, but we didn’t mind, as you could use it in the common areas, and made us more social.

One word of advice: if you want to learn how to surf and get up, make sure you do the exercises Clare will send you. If you don’t, you will probably struggle.

We have already recommended Swell to several people and hoping to make our way back soon! Book it; you won’t regret it.

Best vacation we have ever had! The Swell Team is amazing! In 7 days they successfully taught me how to surf. We had an absolutely wonderful time. My husband and I were traveling together and enjoyed the camaraderie and community that swell offers. The accommodations were perfect and the food was amazing! I have a gluten allergy and the chefs were so kind to always have options for me at each meal. Everything is planned for you the moment you arrive and you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation. I would give them ten stars if I could. Highly recommend Swell Surf Camp!!

2nd Visit - Twice as much fun!! Swell has created a wonderful experience centered on surfing. Our family of 4 (2 sons, 18 and 16), just returned from another great trip (previous was 2 years ago - also a great experience). Swell's staff, from Haudy (manager) to the surf instructors, to chefs, and so on are fun, energetic, interesting people - just like the other guests Swell attracts.

We are experienced surfers, but the instructors still had helpful suggestions, and for the guests with no surfing experience, all were up and riding waves the first day. After surfing, Swell is a relaxing place to lay by the pool, or in the hammock. Meals at Swell are fun, delicious, and family style that always seem to turn into fun nights (or not for those who choose an early bed).

Yoga is great, and Haudy is able to seamlessly arrange for other activities including Canyoning, day trips into Puerto Plato, etc.

Most of the guests were in their mid to late 20's through late 30's, but we felt perfectly comfortable with teenagers and the age range included those older than us (i.e. 50's). The instructors, who turn out to be social directors as well, are inclusive and fun.

We will definitely be back again!

BTW - Swell was not impacted by the numerous hurricanes this year, nor could we identify any damage to the area since our prior trip. It's an easy flight into Puerto Plata, a half our drive (that Swell arranges), and the fun begins.

Highly recommend this awesome place/experience!!

Great time! I spent a month in the Dominican Republic and some of my fondest memories are of my two weeks at Swell Surf camp. The management was great (Hauody), the surf instruction was good, and the Breakfast and Dinners were top notch. The establishment is very clean and well maintained. On my first day surfing I re-aggravated an old injury and I was in pretty bad shape. Hauody came through for me. She did all she could to comfort me and put me in the right direction to get the proper care which allowed me get back out in the water. I really appreciated that and it's something I won't forget. She's truly amazing and a real asset to this establishment as is everyone else. You all surpassed all expectations in every category and I'm definitely returning in the future. Thanks for the great experience!

Great Place to surf, to kite and to meet interesting and friendly people from around the world! This has been one of the best holidays I ever booked with my wife and my 3 daughters. The camp, the rooms and the recreation spots (pool, pool billiard, kicker) are fabulous - after 2 weeks we have been completely "Swellonized"! Haudy and her team at Swell site as well as Clare (in the background) are always very helpful and sooo friendly. The surf instructors did a great job - I got a big green wave at the end of our lessons - and it took me all down to the beach:) The food (breakfast and dinner) are exceptionell - a big hug to Esmeralda and her colleague(s). Cabarete and especially the Swell Surf Camp are a great place for relaxing vacation. We will come back!

Everything I Needed and More Than I Expected! I can't identify many things wrong with Swell. All members of the staff are kind, enthusiastic, and genuinely want to take good care of you. The housekeepers/cooks are some of the hardest working women I've ever met, and the meals they cook will make you go weak in the knees.

I never once felt like I was in anything other than good hands while at Swell. Our room was clean and comfortable, the maintenance man keeps everything working, the instructors love their jobs and want nothing more than for you to find joy in surfing, and the establishment feels safe and secure. The surrounding neighborhood can be daunting at first (especially the insane roads!), but after spending an hour or two acclimating, you'll learn to love the character and unique-ness of it all.

I would recommend Swell to anyone who is looking for the perfect mix of unscheduled freedom with open options and structured play time. Really, the only schedule you need to worry about is surf in the morning if you want...eat a delicious breakfast at 9:00AM...maybe take yoga in the afternoon...eat dinner provided by the kitchen every other day at 7:00PM. Everything else is unstructured and yours for the taking. I got everything I needed and more than I expected from Swell. Thank you!

All around wonderful...
Hands down, an incredible trip. I stayed at Swell for 7 days and couldn't have designed a better experience. The instruction, food, fellow travelers, and options for other adventure were all fantastic. - As a beginner surfer I wanted solid instruction in warm water with enough surt time opportunity to learn. The "on-water" instruction was thorough and I absolutely loved that they included an evening theory class that broke down the science behind why influcences/ creates waves. I was riding surf the first day and the second day was out on "real" waves. I felt supported, challenged and in good hands. - The food... outstanding! In fact I ate at some of the higher end restaurants and preferred the food served at swell. It was healthy, delicious and well prepared. If it was a restaurant it would be the best in town. - I loved the extra outings!- waterfall canyons, beaches, and lagoons. Stunning. - The opportunity to meet interesting and lovely people- unexpectedly precious. I was surprised at how phenomenal the other guests were. Great way to make new friends and have a communal experience. I also want to give a special shout out to Darby and Neno, whose surf instruction was phenomenal. And to Molly, whose sweet and gracious yoga instruction helped balance my body after long days in the water. Overall I loved it. In fact, i wish i was still there. :)

A Special Place... This is a special place, unlike anywhere I have been before. It is not a hotel, and it is not a hostel. It is adventure camp for grownups. It’s not overly luxurious in the classic sense, but it is modern, clean, and beautiful, and the level of service and the communal arrangement gives you a sense that you are cared for in a way that classic luxury typically fails.

You come to Swell first and foremost to learn how to surf the great consistent break at Encuentro, but also to meet interesting people from all over the world and to explore Cabarete and surrounding areas while having a safe beautiful oasis to return to. You can feel confident coming alone. It is a communal gathering place so if you are looking for pure solitude or a “honeymoon” experience, it may not be the best fit. You can of course find a solo corner for relaxation, in a hammock, a lounge chair by the pool, or a bean bag under the fan, reading a book as you watch the pink frangipani flowers fall to the ground. But Swell really shines when you open yourself up to others and go with the flow of activity and energy that might “swell up” over a Presidente and a glorious Dominican group meal.

The people who work at Swell are the best part about it. Haudy is like a mama bear. She took care of so many small details. When I was there, one of the girls had a number of medical issues and she really stepped up to help her. On the last day I was so relaxed I forgot to arrange my taxi to the airport until the last minute. She had already arranged it on her own and reminded me when my flight was leaving and when the cab was arriving.

The ladies who cook and clean are amazing and kind and helpful. The whole common area and the rooms are kept spotless. And as so many other reviewers have said, the food is fabulous. You don’t have a lot of choices but that’s okay because what is done is done so well. If you are a picky eater or have to have things a certain way, again it might not be the best choice. But if you can go with the flow you will be very satisfied. Every morning after the first session, there is something hearty like burritos or omelets, with amazing fresh fruit and crepes and some delicious homemade juice and great bread for toast. They make homemade muesli with fresh shaved coconut that is to die for. I usually had a huge breakfast and could just go with an afternoon snack instead of lunch. Dinners vary every night (they don’t have them every night) but usually are Dominican in some way, fish, chicken, beef, with great salads and plenty of sides. The meals I had at camp were some of the best I had the whole trip.

I can’t say enough good things about our surf instructors, who also hung around and became our friends. Darby gave me so many great tips and inspired confidence. He really pushed me forward in my surfing without any judging. He is kind and grounded and has great taste in music! Neno was also a fabulous instructor and hang out buddy - and acro-yogi. He unknowingly inspired me to do the epic fail of a handstand on my board! Henrri did a fabulous job of taking care of us in the water and was also great company - he was always dancing! The instructors helped us plan some outside excursions and joined us on a few, and it made the trip so much better.

I had surfed quite a few times before coming to Swell, but never felt like I conquered it. Swell was perfect for me. If you are already an expert surfer, you could still have a lot of fun at Swell, but I think it really caters to people who are beginners or intermediate. A few of us ended up going out to the back and catching the bigger waves and I couldn’t be happier to be in that group, as it was the primary goal of my trip. Darby made it seem like no big deal, which really helped. A number of people had never surfed before and I think every one of them got up on the board on the inside break.

I saw that some reviewers thought it was expensive. I can’t speak to the private rooms, but I stayed in the dorm with a friend and found it very affordable, especially considering the value of the meals and the instruction and transportation to the beach, use of the boards and booties, etc. The dorm worked out perfectly. We had one other girl in there with us and it was fun to make friends. I've traveled all over the world and stayed in hostels so I am already prepared for the flexibility required. They have safes for each resident in the dorms and I felt very safe and comfortable there.

The yoga is sort of an add on – it is not the primary focus. But I have a fairly active practice and was really glad there were some classes. Molly is really sweet and does a really solid class.

Swell is not right on the beach, but it worked out great and I wouldn’t let that give you pause. You are close to everything in town and 5-10 minute drive to the main surf spot. I was always so happy to get back to our quiet little camp and fall into the pool after being at the beach. We easily walked down to the main beach in Cabarete where all the crazy action is.

The schedule they create for the surfing is perfect. 7:00 is early (especially after some late fun nights) but honestly I could even get up earlier to surf because the waves and the beach are so great in the early morning. You get plenty of surf time and I was always really exhausted after both sessions. Two of the days a group of us chose to skip the second session and go on excursions, but I could always get that first session in and feel like I still had a good day of surfing.

Wifi only works in the common areas, but worked well for me.

I’m sure that anyone staying here could come up with some little things they think should be done differently, but I won’t bother giving you my extremely short list. No place is perfect, but this comes damn close. Come with a flexible mind about food, culture and your schedule, a desire to learn how to surf, and an open heart to meeting diverse people, and you will have a blast!

I never do repeat vacations - and I mean never. But I WILL come back to Swell.

Incredible place, even better people.. can't wait to go back This is one of the only vacations I've been on where I was looking for dates for my next trip before I even left the airport. It was my first solo-trip and I had no idea what to expect. I read reviews (just like you're probably doing right now) and while reassuring, words can't explain how much fun you'll have and how at home you'll feel.

There's something here for everyone, whether it's hanging by the pool, surfing/ kitesurfing, or going on a canyoning adventure (fun fact - if you're deathly afraid of heights like I am, maybe skip that one). Rooms and common areas were all cleaned every day and the food was incredible. I can't say enough about the staff there who really create the environment that everyone raves about. Cabarete was also a really cool area - lots of shops, restaurants, bars.. and a trapeze school right next door to Swell (thought that was as awesome as it was bizarre!).

Oh, last thing! I have one of those jobs that allows me to work from anywhere as long as there's an internet connect. While yes, this was supposed to be a vacation, a couple "emergencies" did occur that I couldn't avoid. If that's of any importance to you, internet in the common area was really reliable and I was able to do everything I needed to.

Ok, back to planning my next visit. Hope to see ya there :)

Amazing two weeks, love Swell and the people i met! Really awesome holiday, the camp is great with homely rooms and really comfortable beds and very clean (rooms cleaned everyday just like a hotel). As you will read on other reviews the food really is amazing and you eat a lot of it but you will come home in better shape than when you went away! I wasn't sure if i would get a bit bored staying in one place on my own for two weeks but there was no chance of that, after two morning surf sessions chilling in the Swell garden by the pool or down by the beach is a pretty welcome activity. I did do a couple of really good excursions though and there is plenty on offer. The staff at Swell are amazing and really make you feel at home and the instructors build a really good sociable environment. If you like animals then they even have a cat and the best behaved dog i have ever encountered. Cabarete is a cool place, plenty to offer and some really good places to eat and drink on the beach and the Surf Instructors make a big effort to organize evening meals with the group on nights that food isn't provided at camp which is a nice touch. Highly recommended!

Unforgettable Vacation and one of my top destinations It is rare that I return to place I visited even if I loved it, but after first visiting Swell in October 2016 there was no question as to whether I would return. I didn't just have a great vacation and improved on my surfing, but I also found a second home in the DR- so I returned at the end of April 2017 and after being home one week I am already planning my next trip back. The staff is amazing, friendly and helpful. When you arrive at Swell, plan on feeling welcomed from the start with Houdy, the manager showing you around the camp and introducing you to the surf instructions, staff, and other guests and from there you are part of this wonderful family. Since, the place is so engaging the guests cannot help but also engage with each other and the "Swell Surf Family" is born.

After the 7am daily surf lesson, the best part, after catching some waves, is you come back "home" to enjoy a beautifully prepared breakfast from the chefs. The large communal table fosters an engaging meal with your instructions and other guests, Also, there is a family dinners 4x's a week and more friendships are made. With your new friends and family you also can enjoy the beautiful grounds and pool, yoga, day-trips, some crazy nights out...and most importantly some unforgettable memories.

Swell is perfectly situated in Cabarete and a stone's throw to Gordito's - my personal favorite restaurant. The food will get you there but the Sangria and smiles is what keeps me going back. It's my own personal mission to bring every new guest there for a Sangria or Margarita. Swell is also located within a short walking distance to beautiful beaches, shopping, and great nightlife.

So as you can see this place really does has everything. It can accommodate all different age ranges and social-economic stages. As a 43 year old and financially secure person, I have left my back-packing/hostel days behind me as a fond memory, which was my initial reason for choosing Swell, as they have brilliantly planned the property to accommodate all budgets and life stages.

See you there soon!!!

No Exaggeration: this place is awesome! These people are not exaggerating on how fun this place is in the other reviews. I was here for about 3 weeks. I was not sure what to expect out of Cabarete or the DR really. I could not have imagined that it would be so great. The people I met there, both the staff and the other guests were wonderful. There was always some surf for any level of surfer. So that is no problem. Socially, although as guests were from incredibly disparate backgrounds, we really got along well. I have not been to a "surf camp" before but I am absolutely looking forward to booking my trip again. It was so fun to be around others who loved the water as much as me. I just haven't had that experience as an adult. The food was awesome. Breakfast everyday and four nights a week a dinner was included. The surf instructors were fun and patient; big props to Scott, Dan and Neno! Howdie was the on site manager and she did everything she could to keep us happy and comfortable. It was pretty awesome. If you've even thought about a surf trip once, then you should book this. Water is warm, people are cool. If you don't want to surf on a particular day, you can just chill at the camp. Easy.

Incredible Vacation! Amazing experience! This was my first solo vacation, and I was a little hesitant booking the trip when I had never surfed, didn't know any one else, and was staying in the dorm room.

My initial concerns vanished upon arriving at Swell, and I'm so glad I just booked it. I met a variety of fantastic people and miss them already! The camp is set up in a way that is naturally very social and relaxing, with great communal areas. The dorms are clean and comfortable and the food is delicious. I felt safe the entire time and it was nice having transportation taken care of.

The surfing instructors were fantastic, knowledgeable and provided 1:1 coaching. I was standing on the board within the first few days and loved watching the sun rise in the early sessions. As others mentioned, the schedule is fantastic with two surf sessions and a home cooked breakfast in the morning, followed by optional activities and time to relax by the pool in the afternoon. The yoga was a perfect post-surf activity. We went out for several meals in Cabarete and I enjoyed the company and beach-side dining.

I hope to return one day and highly recommend Swell!

AWESOME Experience I just got back from Swell last night and I wish I didn't have to leave. It was an amazing trip. Haudy, who runs the place day to day is amazing. Everything is so organized and you are treated so well. She has Swell running like clockwork. It's like being part of a small family when you are there. The instructors, Dan, Scott and Nano were great and definitely knew what they were doing. They were great guys. The meals that were made for us 4 nights a week at the hotel were phenomenal. I had a private room which was very nice and comfortable. There was no TV which was great. If you wanted access to wifi it was available in the common area, which is where you really gathered most of the time when you weren't surfing or out at the beach, eating, getting a message or shopping. The area is safe and the property is extremely safe. I can't recommend Swell enough!!!! My only regret was not being able to stay longer.

Will come back again next year! Perfect for beginners, casual surfers and pros alike. You get to meet amazing people that you will probably be friends with for life. The camp is clean, safe, competitively priced and just downright super chill. Cabarete has beautiful beaches and amazing surfing without the busyness/seediness of a bigger city. You can also book different activities through the camp, I recommend doing Canyoning for the more adventurous types. The staff were great, from the mechanic, the cooks, cleaners and even the quiet security guard that comes by at night. Hauli, the manager, is super sweet and will take care of whatever needs you have. And the surf instructors (Dan, Scott and Neno) are super chill and very encouraging! I've surfed in a bunch of camps before and this is the best yet. I Highly Recommend it!

Probably the best experience I've had - JUST BOOK IT DONT HESITATE I'm a 27 y/o from London and came on my own arriving on New Years Eve for 10 nights. Words really can't do this place justice. It was probably the best decision I've made in years to come here. The facilities are fantastic, all the staff are great and the food is superb.

If your a beginner, intermediate or advanced, this is a great place for you to come.

Although arriving on my own, I left with a group of friends who I'll know for a long time.

There was a review I read saying ' don't hesitate, just book it' and I can't agree more. It took me 20 hours to get there (last minute flight) and 30 hours back ( weather issues in New York) and it was still worth it all.

Make sure you bring some things from home to leave there as it will feel like the right thing to do when you leave.

Extra thanks to Scott and Lee/ Gee/Nee /Meemo as they're the glue holding it all together. Stay safe and enjoy it!

Don't Hesitate - Just Book! You will have gathered from all the other gushing reviews that this is a fantastic place to visit. I found everything written about Swell on their website and in these rave reviews to be accurate... and more. My advice is stop reading and just book, you won't be disappointed.

At the booking stage, Clare is really quick to reply and answer any questions which was so helpful. Once you arrive there is a fantastic team in place, from Haudy's warm welcome and organisation to the super supportive, fun surf and yoga instructors and cooks producing the most delicious, fresh and healthy food (yes, breakfast is legendary!).

The place is gorgeous. It's hard to describe the chilled out vibe but it's my new happy place. Everywhere is super clean (and I'm fussy), from the bedrooms to the pool toilet, it's pristine.

The beds are incredibly comfy with crisp linen. I was in a premium room but the dorms looked lovely too. Rooms are airy, bright and cleaned daily.

So what is the Swell experience? Well, it was my first solo holiday and I highly recommend going on your own. After the first five minutes you forget you arrived alone. The staff and other guests were incredibly friendly and the atmosphere is so laid back.

We were up and in the van heading to the beach at 7am every morning. The first surf session works up a real hunger and breakfast is well worth the wait. Then it's back to the beach for second session. The surf instructors were professional and fun, they really know their stuff and work hard to get you up and riding the waves asap. I felt spoilt to have such individual attention with constant tips and adjustments helping me progress quickly. Thanks Ed, Neno and Paloma for your patience and for the laughs!

Afternoons are free and there's optional evening yoga three times a week. Your body will thank you for doing this and the poolside location is magic. Martín's classes were fantastic. He was dedicated and accommodating to all levels, my new guru!

As an extra trip, I got the chance to go Canyoning. Four of us went together and joined a bigger group. This is quite physical but really exhilarating. Haudy organised everything, we just had to be ready for collection!

Dinner was delicious and for the nights that it's not provided, there are loads of options. Gordito's Fresh Mex is a must - we got take away for our pool party! Dinner on the beach was delish too - try the frozed Banana Daiquiris in Mojito Bar!

The week flew by and I left Swell positively humming from the sun, sea, surf and pure fun. I'm hooked on surfing and genuinely can't wait to go back and do it all again!

Thanks for a fantastic holiday Swell Gang!!!!

Super-cool stay! Clare and Jim have really created a heaven on earth with Swell! Having now also read the reviews preceding ours it is difficult to add anything new. The 200 plus reviews accurately describe Swell, its atmosphere and your future stay there! My sister and I decided to stay in the dorm room-we had the whole place to ourselves the whole week however had there been 2 more people it would not have made our stay less comfortable. The whole camp and rooms look exactly like on the pictures. The place is kept very clean and the food is amazing. There is 24 hour security on site and reliable transportation by the ever-friendly Michele. Ed, Neno and Paloma were the coolest kids in town- enthusiastic and patient surf instructors, and awesome company. Haudy, the manager, was extremely helpful in organizing everything on the spot seamlessly. Molly made us feel like yoga superstars and encouraged us to challenge ourselves further. Overall, the type of people this camp appears to attract as well as the staff guarantees a one-of-a-kind fun social experience. We had never surfed before and found this camp excellent for learning to surf. Definitely planning to return!

The best! My wife and I booked a week's stay at Swell Surf Camp with the goal of improving our ability to surf. We knew nothing about Swell except for what we read on the Website and other internet sites, so we were not sure what exactly to expect. It turned out to be ONE OF THE GREATEST TRIPS WE EVER TOOK!! Every part of the experience was EXCEPTIONAL. The accomodations, the food, the staff, and of course the surf instruction, were all OUTSTANDING! Our surfing skills improved significantly. Ed, Paloma, and Neno are terrific instructors, and Hawdy made sure everything ran smoothly for all the guests. We met great people from all over the world. This is a MUST for anyone who likes to surf. We are already planning to return again this year. Well done Swell staff, well done!

Our visit to Swell Surf Camp was everything we hoped it would be for a pair of beginner surfers. Having never been to the DR before it was nice to book ground transportation, lodging, instruction, and a majority of dining all at once. But don’t think of Swell as an “all inclusive.” It’s much more than just a gated compound that you have to feel unsafe venturing away from as the town is safe to explore. It’s a unique mix of adventure, a relaxing getaway, fantastic dining, and meeting new people. The mix however is really up to you. The accommodations are clean and meticulously cared for. We loved having the privacy of our room and the open air social setting of the kitchen, “living room” area, and pool. This is not a place to go if you’re not looking to socialize. The breakfast and dinners are better than we expected. Fresh ingredients freshly prepared by excellent cooks are enough to bring us back again. The best mango I’ve ever had. Haudy takes excellent care of you and is more than just a concierge and manager. She’s engages you daily to make sure things are going well and organizes details (details, timing, etc) for any other excursions beyond surfing. Honestly we just had fun hanging out with her. Surfing for beginners? I’m sure there are other competent instruction programs but Swell stood out among the others I saw while I was there. Neno, Ed, and Paloma were a lot of fun to learn from with great attitudes and patience with students. Their philosophy about learning to surf and positive coaching styles have a consistency that allows each of them to work with you at any given time without contradicting one another. They also seemed to genuinely get along which shouldn’t be underestimated as a factor in the experience. We really liked the 2 session format for surfing and the flexibility to skip the 2nd session after breakfast if you chose to. It was nice to work on technique, stop and rejuvenate with breakfast, then go back out for round 2 if you’re up for it. After 4 hours of surfing you were all done by 12:30 which feels like you still have the whole day in front of you to go canyoning (Matt at Kayak River Adventures is a very enthusiastic and just plain fun guide) or a variety of other activities. Or you can just chill at Swell’s pool all day! We did a few sessions of yoga with Molly who is pretty much the most joyous and energetic yoga instructor I’ve encountered. We really enjoyed yoga at Swell and consider it a must do when we return. I like yoga but typically don’t find myself having as much fun as I did with Molly’s style. From Swell you can walk to town and you should. Many food options (we kept finding ourselves at Fresh Fresh and Gorditos) and be ready to be solicited for everything from rides to town, jewelry, food, hair braiding, and much more. Most are pretty friendly and aren’t too persistent if you’re polite to them. It’s a beautiful Caribbean town despite some areas where there’s trash laying around and we highly recommend the 2 for 1 mojitos at the mojito bar from 4p-8p. We’re already starting to plan our return trip. Swell is worth the repeat!

If you're looking, start booking : ) I've just returned from Swell and with the sand between my toes and tan like no other, I don't think I can express what a fantastic trip this was. Travelling on my own, I was always a bit apprehensive but upon my arrival not only was everyone else travelling on their own, but everyone gave such a warm greeting. The surf was great for any level with the instructors truly knowledgeable and great to assist. There's additional activities that you can do such as the canyoning which was amazing and great photos afterwards. As everyone has mentioned, the accommodation is exactly as the photos. I shared a dorm which was ample room for 4 girls and was cleaned immaculately everyday. I cannot recommend Swell enough. It's one of a kind and I hope you too have the same memories to come.

Great people make an amazing vacation! We just finished a week at Swell and wished we had stayed longer. We are total beginners to surfing, but met a few seasoned surfers at Swell. We were the only couple with mostly solo travellers and had a great time meeting people.

This place is special; not just for beginners to learn how to surf, but it has just the right mix. Great instructors (Neno, Lee, and Ben), great team lead by Manager Haudy, and a great atmosphere. The owners, Clare and Jeroen have put a lot of thought and care into Swell.

The brunches and dinners at Swell are amazing! And well earned after two surf lessons a day. Food around town (Gorditos, Vagamundo Waffles, and Casa di Papi on the beach) are reasonable and tasty. The camp itself is intimate, clean, and modern. Wifi in the rooms is weak, but we didn’t mind, as you could use it in the common areas, and made us more social.

One word of advice: if you want to learn how to surf and get up, make sure you do the exercises Clare will send you. If you don’t, you will probably struggle.

We have already recommended Swell to several people and hoping to make our way back soon! Book it; you won’t regret it.