The Seasons in Cabarete

When to visit the Dominican Republic

Based on our experience

We've lived here for 10+ years.

We've put together a guide below to find best time to visit the Dominican Republic, based on your surfing ability.

Seasons	Average Air Temperature	Average Water Temperature	Beginner / Novice Waves	Kite surfing wind	Expert Waves	Description
January - February March	23°C (73°F)	26°C (79°F)	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	High season in Cabarete: Great for learning to surf and also for expert surfers looking to score overhead waves.
April - May June	24°C (75°F)	27°C (81°F)	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	Good time to be on the North Coast. Great for learning to surf; April can have some big days, intermediate surfers aim for May and June to improve your surfing.
July - August September	27°C (81°F)	29°C (84°F)	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	Great time for beginner and intermediate surfers on the North coast of the D.R., generally mellow, fun waves no bigger than chest high.
October - November December	25°C (77°F)	28°C (82°F)	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	Great beginner conditions, good for intermediates but can be a bit hit or miss for expert surfers.

SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

I’M A BEGINNER SURFER, WHEN IS BEST FOR ME TO COME?

If you are a complete beginner surfer, you have the best choice; here in the Dominican Republic, where we teach our surf lessons, there are very few days of the year where you wouldn’t be able to surf as a beginner. This means that the whole year is open for you to take lessons as our surfing lessons are undertaken on the ‘inside’ of the reef (so you are protected from larger waves whenever there is a swell running).

I’M AN INTERMEDIATE SURFER, WHEN SHOULD I COME TO SWELL?

As an intermediate surfer (Able to catch green waves, turn, trip and carving turns) you are generally looking for waist, shoulder to head-high waves. These types of waves are most common in the Dominican Republic from May to November.

I’M AN EXPERT SURFER; WHEN SHOULD I COME?

The best waves for you arrive regularly between December and April where we will often have waves of 2 meters +

WHEN IS RAINY SEASON IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

Well, in short, unlike Costa Rica where it can rain solidly for 3 months, we don’t have a rainy season: It can rain at any stage (often during the night) and is normally a sharp downpour before the sun comes out again, strongly. Rain is less likely between June and August than at any other time of the year. The Dominican Republic is a stunning, mountainous island and undoubtedly, it is always raining somewhere in the hills, so if you see rain on the forecast, don’t panic!

WHEN IS HURRICANE SEASON?

Because of our mountain ranges, especially Pico Duarte (the highest peak in the Caribbean at just over 3000m) hurricanes are ‘bounced’ away from our shores. Remember that hurricanes hate any interference to their circulation and that’s why they avoid large, high land masses. Also bear in mind that we are a huge island (it will take you 7 hours to drive east to west). We’ve not had a direct hit from a hurricane since 2004 (and then it was just a tropical storm). Hurricanes tend to pass our shores from early September to early October.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFO ON THE SURF?

We have written a large surf & Travel guide for Surfing Dominican Republic, which has a lot more information. (opens in a new window).
The guide has info on:

When is the best time to come to the Dominican Republic?
What airports to fly into into the Dominican Republic?
Top things to do in the Dominican Republic
Best places to eat in Cabarete

For Surfing Cabarete and Playa Encuentro surf spot information, have a look at the “surf spot” page which will give you more details on the surf sport at Playa Encuentro, Cabarete.

“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]