WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Here are the latest reviews by Swell clients.
Want to read older reviews? Check our Google Or Tripadvisor reviews
SWELL SURF CAMP IS UNIQUE!
As someone who has visited dozens of surf camps over the last three decades, Swell Cabarate stands out. While most surf camps cater to younger advanced surfers, Swell aims for the beginner / less experienced surfer. If you are 20 or 50 years old and have dreamed of learning to surf – Swell is your place. The staff, food, and surf instructors are top notch. The hotel and grounds are lovely and welcoming. The social aspect is especially great. At the communal table you might hear five different languages being spoken, all expressing their stoke of surfing and being in the DR. I highly recommend Swell to anyone who dreams of a surfing adventure.
By Michael, via Tripadvisor – 2022
SWELL IS THE BEST!!!
This was one of the best trips ever.
My daughter and I were a little nervous traveling out of the country during the height of covid but we felt completely safe at Swell.
Clare, the owner was incredibly responsive to all my questions and Haudy the manager was there to help us with anything we needed.
The accommodations are beautiful and the food is amazing.
The surf instructors were incredibly attentive, helpful and fun!
The waves are great for any level of surfer.
Whether you are single, a couple or a family, this is a perfect adventurous vacation.
By Hocoro, via Tripadvisor – 2022
YOU WILL LOVE THIS PLACE
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!
By Pamela C, via Google reviews – 2022
AMAZING TIME
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!!
By Emma H, via Google reviews – 2022
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.
By Amy B, via Google reviews – 2022
SWELL REALLY STANDS OUT
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.
By Michael M, via Google reviews – 2022
ONE OF THE BEST TRIPS EVER!
Honestly one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. The entire staff was extremely helpful and just fun to be around. The surf instructors were knowledgeable and really helped me with my fundamentals (not my first time surfing). The manager, Haudy, made the entire stay super easy and even went out of her way to help me with last minute Covid testing in Sosua. Above and beyond. Also, the food was outstanding. The two women cooking never disappointed and were really sweet. The fish can’t be missed.
Swell couldn’t make it any easier. You can go on autopilot, surf, and just enjoy yourself. Town is right down the street with all restaurants and bars. I had maybe a little too much fun in Cabarete so be prepared.
I couldn’t recommend this place more. Didn’t want to leave.
By Tyler P, via Google reviews – 2022
MOST INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!
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.
By Sabrina G, via Google reviews – 2022
WONDERFUL
Claire, Haudy, and the team have created a wonderful surf/kiteboard camp experience – and I mean “wonderful” in every way possible.
Haudy, as the onsite host, was amazing and so wonderful to deal with. The cooks were so friendly and good at what they do. The instructors were great and so much fun (see pic below).
All of us staying at Swell got along so well. We hung out every day. Many new friendships made. I was a solo traveler (as were many) – yet I never felt that way.
The trip was Thanksgiving 2021.
The Swell “surf house” was cool in that the main floor has minimal walls for a very open feeling. The guest rooms are all on the 2nd floor. It’s 2 blocks from the main Cabarete beach where there’s kiteboarding, bodysurfing, and many open-air options for food and drinks. The surfing beach is nearby with the waves that make Cabarete famous.
Thank you for the wonderful vacation!!
By John B, via Google reviews – 2022
AMAZING FIRST SOLO TRIP THANKS TO SWELL
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!
By Vanessa B, via Tripadvisor – 2022
Want to read more reviews? You’ll find them on Google and tripadvisor reviews.
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