Surf Cabarete

Dominican Republic

The #1 Caribbean surf town

INFO AND SURF SPOT GUIDE FOR CABARETE AREA Intro Surfing Cabarete Cabarete was put on the map a few decades ago as a windsurfing spot, and it still is a very popular place in the Caribbean for windsports like sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. However Cabarete has more to offer than wind sports, it's in fact the mornings where the trade winds are not present that surfing is the most popular sport for expats, local dominicans and tourist of all different surfing levels.

WHY GO ON A SURF TRIP TO CABARETE?

The Dominican Republic is not known for the biggest or longest waves in the world, but 1 feature that makes the DR such a popular spot for surfers is that it caters for 99% of the surfers: from complete beginners to experts surfers. The other aspects that make Playa Encuentrosuch a unique surf spot is the consistency of the waves, we have no 'off' season, on 350 days per year there's a surf able wave to be found at Playa Encuentro.

WHY CABARETE AS A SURF DESTINATION?

• Year round surf destination
• No need for wetsuits / warm clothes
• Fun waves for all different levels
• Plenty of non surfing activities
• Easy travel
• Friendly Caribbean vibes
• Great food

THE SURF SPOTS IN AND AROUND CABARETE

Playa Encuentro

Is about 4 km ( 2,5 miles) west of Cabarete. It's the most consistent surf spot for surfers in the mornings,  several different surf spots for different surfing abilities. Destroyers Shallow, fast & hollow // For bodyboarders or kamikaze expert surfers The left Great left hander, best in winter months with north swell direction // For advanced surfers, and respect the local surfers Main Peak of Encuentro Ultra consistent right and left hander // Melow waves for intermediate and expert surfers Bobos Inside at Bobo's is a perfect learning wave where the surf school of Encuentro teach the surfing on a mellow inside wave Coco Pipe Quality left (short) and right (longer) // For advanced surfers only, it's a fast barreling wave over pretty shallow reef Offshore reefs A few miles of offshore reef all the way to Cabarete, ideal for SUP ( SUP is banned at Encuentro for safety reasons). Also a few peaks that have quality waves on north swells for surfers. ( no crowds)

BEST SURF EUIPMENT FOR CABARETE / ENCUENTRO

What is the best equipment for surfing in Cabarete? Standard shortboard or longboard will do, for winter months or hurricane season maybe bring something that can handle some bigger waves. For summer months bring a board with a bit of extra volume, so it floats you trough the flat sections.

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO GO ON A DOMINCIAN SURF TRIP

The great thing about choosing a surf holiday in the Dominican Republic is that there are approximately 350 surfable days each year, with very few flat days to spoil the fun. Another notable thing about surfing in the Caribbean is that there is no distinct rainy season (unlike in Costa Rica and Nicaragua where June to September are a wash-out). More Info: Kitesurfing in the Dominican Republic Caribbean Surf & Yoga Holiday Our accommodation

TRANSPORTATION IN CABARETE

Our clients get picked up by our drivers at the airport on their way to Swell and in the mornings, our clients go with Michel's van to Playa Encuentro. The rest of the transportation from Swell to bars and restaurants can be done by foot, since Swell is so centrally located. But if you don't want to walk, for example to go to Kitebeach for lunch or a kite session, there is a very popular mode of transportation in and around Cabarete: The Moto Concho (moto taxi) and you will find them every where in town. You don't have to look for them, they'll find you, anywhere in town, especially along Cabarete's main road. In fact, anyone walking along the road will soon get a quick whistle, offering a ride. Prices:  20 -50 pesos in town, with lower prices during the day and higher prices at night and an extortionate amount when they know you are drunk (which is a time by the way when you should definitely not be on the back of a moto!), or when they know that you have no idea about the going moto-concho rates (usually a lack of a sun tan will give them a clue). Payment: Note: A moto concho driver never has change (or so they tell you), so try to make sure to have 20 or 50 pesos on you. They will not even give you change from 500 pesos (12 dollars). The 'Dominican Tattoo'  Beware: motorbike exhausts are HOT!  A leg-burn from an exhaust pipe is so common when you are riding 'bitch' that it even has a name!

SEE YOU SOON IN CABARETE!

 

SWELL GALLERIES

Swell