Summer Surf Camp in Cabarete
SUMMER SURF CAMP
What’s going on at Swell Surf Camp?
Summer season is pretty much here in Cabarete, we have been running special summer discounts for the summer season surf camps and the response that Clare has had has been very good, lots of weeks are filling up quickly. So if you are looking for the best vibe surf camp in the Caribbean, join us on a one of a kind surf holiday.
STAFF CHANGES AT SWELL
We were sad to see Aaron leave after being the head surf instructor at Swell for over a year. Aaron decided to do some more travelling and is off for a work / gap year in Canada. We were sad to see him leave, but we hope we’ll see him back in Cabarete in the nearby future.
Charlie our ISA qualified surf instructor from New Zealand is still working at Swell and enjoying the good warm weather and fun waves that the Caribbean offers. Working alongside Charlie and Neno is our newest addition to the team: Romy. Originally from germany but she has been traveling around the globe for a while now. She will also be doing to photo packages. So if you want your pictures taken during your stay at Swell, contact here.
Playa Encuentro
LEARN SURF IN THE CARIBBEAN
Pierre, one of our favorite guests from Canada, who has been at Swell more than a handful of times in the last few years took another surf course with Swell. Recently retired from work at age 65 he shows that you are never too old to learn to surf.
NEW SURFBARDS
Sadly our storage hut at Playa Encuentro burned down with pretty much all our boards in it last week. Accident with some electrical shortcut. But every sad thing has a silver lining. A whole new set of boards has been ordered and will be in Cabarete in a few days, tons of long boards and soft tops, and a whole new set of performance short boards for our surfboard rental pool at Encuentro. Boards in the range of 5’11 to 7’6” are coming from TORQ surfboards. Our staff has tested a few sizes of those boards abroad and came back with great feedback. So if you are in need of a rental board whilst staying at Swell, you are in good hands.
NEED INSPIRATION?
Here is a video from Red Bull, not taken in Cabarete ( thankfully) but it makes for great watching anyway.
We hope to see you in the water soon.
Team Swell Surf Camp
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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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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.
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ABOUT SWELL SURF CAMP
Swell was founded in 2009 by Jeroen and Clare Mutsaars, who built the camp from scratch after searching the globe for the ideal adult learn-to-surf destination. Since opening, our ISA-certified surf instructors have taught over 9,000 guests from more than 40 countries how to surf — making Swell one of the longest-running and most reviewed adult surf camps in the Caribbean.
We have been featured in Frommer's, Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveler, Outside Magazine, and Men's Journal, and carry a 4.9-star rating across 321 verified guest reviews on Google and Tripadvisor.
“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]