LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY

AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Surf Lessons

Learn to surf with us

Perfect beginner conditions

Surfing is such a great watersport and when you are in the hands of true surf professionals surfing is accessible for people of all ages, so never think you're too old to learn to surf!

The Dominican Republic has perfect beginner and intermediate learn to surf spots; water and air temperatures are warm year-round, so you can leave your wetsuit at home.

Swell Surf Camp
Swell Surf Camp Coaches

Our Coaches

At Swell surf camp, all our surf lessons are given in groups in a structured manner, using properly I.S.A. qualified surf coaches.

This means that Swell’s surf instructors have all completed specific training in teaching techniques, including Practical and Theory Lessons, Life Guard Training and CPR/Basic First Aid.

As a result, you could not get better surf lessons on your learn to surf holiday.

Coaches
Beginner or Intermediate

Learn 2 Surf Holiday

We have taught more than 8000 of our guests the fun sport of surfing in a safe and really enjoyable way. In her emails, Clare (one of Swell's owners) is asked a lot: "Am I too old to learn surfing?" The answer is: No, if you have the desire, we can teach you how to surf and it will probably end up changing your life! We have even taught people in their 70's how to surf on a surf vacation at Swell.

Qualified surf instructors

Qualified surf instructors

Our qualified ISA surf coaches and low student-to-coach ratio ensures that you will receive great surf lessons from surf coaches who have themselves been taught how to correctly communicate their methods and advice in a positive, encouraging and friendly manner. You could not be in better hands on your surf vacation.

Surf theory lessons

Surf theory lessons

Learning how waves are formed, when and how to paddle correctly, how to spot the best place to sit, the all important surf etiquette, are just some of the topics covered in the learn to surf course. With a week-long stay, our learning to surf course consists of 5 mornings of surf lessons / coaching, followed by supervised surfboard rental. .

Details

A typical day of surfing with Swell

6:30
6:45
7:00
9:00
9:30
10:30
12:15

* The above is an indication of a typical day, however we are always dependent on weather, tide, wave conditions and skill levels of surfers, so timings can be subject to change.

Swell Surf Camp Nature Swell Surf Camp Nature

Our Surf beach

Ideal For learning to surf

There are plenty of stunning beaches in the Caribbean, but very few beaches have the surf conditions that our local surf spot offers: white sand, mellow warm waves and a shoreline lined with palms trees.

Another reason why Playa Encuentro, where we surf is so good is that it's one of the most consistent surf spots in Central America: there are surfable waves year round and normally we can surf about 350 days per year.

Because of these characteristics we don't have to go and find a different surf spot every day, Encuentro has something for everyone. As a results, we don't waste time 'highway surfing' (searching for waves), but more time actually riding good waves. Surf beach


SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY OF SURF LESSONS AT SWELL ?

Please check the slider above on this webpage; it gives a breakdown of a typical learn how to surf with Swell day, including all relevant timings. There are additional surf theory lessons given during the week, along with paddle-practise in our swimming pool at the surf camp.
In order to help you with flight timings, you will not be surfing on your day of arrival, but you should be able to fit in a lesson or a practice on your day of departure as the majority of flights into Puerto Plata arrive and depart in the afternoon.

ABOUT SWELL

ABOUT SWELL :

After living in the Dominican Republic for 9 years and loving the great outdoor watersport lifestyle, Jeroen (from the Netherlands) and Clare (for the UK) decided it was time to share their knowledge of the Dominican Republic all that this stunning country has to offer with visitors from around the world.

Clare and Jeroen were already familiar with surf retreats, surf resorts and surfing camps in many different countries and had to stay in some very ordinary surf camps in their quest for great surfing waves, they knew that something was missing in the market of surf camps; a place which was still social, but offering better quality luxury surf camp accommodation, great food, nicer beds, cleaner rooms: A stylish, luxury surf retreat with surf lessons and surf coaching.

They set about designing the kind of place they would want to stay in themselves:  the best luxury surf camp for adults.

THE WORLD’S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT LUXURY SURF CAMP!

So they hired a renowned Swiss architect for one purpose: to come up with the world’s first purpose-built, luxury surfing camp.

Since opening in the winter 2009/2010 Swell surf instructors have taught 1000’s of people how to surf in a safe, fun and structured manner. Swell has won multiple awards and has 100’s of excellent reviews from happy guests. Swell continues to be one of the top surfing destinations for couples, groups and solo travellers to go to as the best surf camp holiday.surf camp reviewsIt’s not just surfing on offer at Swell; You can learn to kitesurf, learn wingfoiling, take yoga classes, go horse riding on the beach or in the mountains and enjoy some truly spectacular outdoor adventure trips like canyoning for example.

Swell offers package surf holidays that take all the hassle out of the planning, transport to the beach and much more, so all Swell guests can enjoy a stress-free luxury surf retreat experience. You just have to book your flights, and they will take care of the rest!

With great food being such an important part of anyone’s surf vacation, Swell delivers there too; with superb home-cooked food at the camp and on the evenings when guests go out to dinner, a large choice of restaurants offering a comprehensive choice of dining are all within a few minutes walk.

So if you are looking for the best surf camp experience, we are confident that you will have a great time at Swell Surf Camp.

HOW DO I BOOK A SWELL SURF HOLIDAY?

Booking a surf holiday with Swell is easy:

Check out the various pages on our website, we have a lot of information about what we offer, that way you know exactly what you can expect when you book a trip with us.

We want happy clients at Swell.

We try to be as honest and transparent about what we offer. We do not make promises we cannot keep because we know how important your next watersport holiday is for you. If anything is not clear on our website, do send us an email so we can help you make the right decision.

We hope we can welcome you to our place!

Jeroen & Clare (owners Swell Surf & Yoga Retreats)

  1. Check the different packages that we offer on the pricing page to get an idea if what we offer suits your needs and budget.
  2. Send us a quick message with your dates and we get back to you in a few hours to tell you if we have space in that particular week for you (or suggest alternative dates). We will also send you a price quote with exact details on what is and isn’t included in our surf holiday packages.
  3. To reserve your stay at Swell we require a deposit to confirm your stay. Payment is done via a 128-bit secured external credit card processor (alternative payment options are available).

Once payment is made, you send us your arrival details so we can make sure we have our taxi pick you up from the airport for a hassle-free start of your surfing vacation.

If you have any questions, we are here to answer those for you; we want to make sure that you are booking the right surf holiday (even if that means you are not staying with us).

When you send us an email we get back to you very quickly (that’s a promise).

Swell does not work with any travel agents, or external sites for our bookings

I HAVE NEVER SURFED BEFORE, IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?

Yes! We set up our learn to surf program to be a perfect match for complete beginners who have never surfed before to intermediate surfers who have had some surf lessons before but need surf coaching to learn more advanced surfing techniques.

What about age? Am I too old?
We get a lot of these questions in via email:
I want to learn to surf at 40
I want to learn how to surf at 50 or even 60+ etc.
The answer is: Yes

if you can swim and are mobile we can get you up and riding on a wave in our 5-day-learn-to-surf course. Don’t let your age hold you back!
Our local surf beach has one of the best learn to surf conditions in the whole of the Caribbean.
surf solo travelers age

CAN YOU TEACH CHILDREN TO LEARN TO SURF?

Yes, however generally we are more of an adult learn to surf camp.  In popular holiday periods, we might be able to accommodate your family for a learn-to-surf holiday. Contact us  with the ages and surf level of your kids , and we can see if we can help you.

CAN I COMBINE SURFING & KITESURFING?

If ‘just’ learning to surf or ‘just’ learning to kitesurf is not enough, and you want the ultimate watersport action holiday, then yes you can combine our learn to surf holiday with kitesurfing or the new sport of Wing surfing.
The surfing is mostly done before mid-day, then at around 13.00 to 14.00 the trade winds kick in for ideal kite and wing surfing.
Just ask us about the packages that we offer that combine different sports, surf in the morning, wind sports in the afternoon and you will surely sleep well and satisfied in the evening.

WHAT MAKES SWELL DIFFERENT?

WHY IS THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC A TOP SURF DESTINATION?

Before we started Swell in the Caribbean in 2009 we operated a surf travel agency and that gave us the chance to visit over 25+ surf destinations to see what the surf conditions were like, so we have a pretty good idea of the different surfing conditions in the various surf locations around the world.

But first, we need to have a look at what makes a good or best surf destination.

There is no such thing as one surf destination that ticks all the boxes. For one, someone who is in the early stages of their surf career is looking for a very different type of wave than a seasoned pro.

BEST SURF CAMP DESTINATION  FOR BEGINNERS LEARNING TO SURF

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

WHERE IS IT LOCATED: Largest island In the Caribbean, the North coast faces the Atlantic, and the south coast faces the Caribbean.

 

GETTING THERE: Short direct flight from Miami or 3-hour flight from New York and Toronto. Charter flights from Europe

 

FOCUS SURF REGION: The north coast, 20 minutes from Puerto Plata international airport.

LEARN TO SURF IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

WHAT MAKES IT A GREAT SURF DESTINATION FOR BEGINNERS:

We are biased since this is where we opened Swell in 2009, but we did so for a reason: we wanted a place where we can teach people to surf in a safe way.

Playa Encuentro is the ideal spot, it has 350 surfable days in the year, with mellow reform waves on the inside breaking over a flat reef, deep enough to stand in the water (around chest high), easy access to the beach, no dangerous current or sea life. We have taught 5000+ guests over 10 years the sport of surfing.
There is no dangerous sea life present, nor are there dangerous rips or currents present. All this makes it one of the best places for a learn to surf camp for beginners.
BEST TIME TO GO: any time of the year

PROS

  • Pretty white sand beaches, lined with palm trees.
  • Friendly Caribbean vibes, in and out of the water.
  • Budget-friendly
  • Close to an international airport
  • Warm tropical climate and water
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  • “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, with 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’ but 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]

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    SURF HOLIDAYS FOR ADULTS

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