WORLDS BEST KITESURFING DESTINATIONS
THE TOP 7 KITESURFING DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD.
- Cabarete, Dominican Republic
- Cumbuco, Brazil
- Tarifa, Spain
- La Ventana, Mexico
- Maui, Hawaii
- Mancora, Peru
- Sumbawa, Indonesia
THE WORLD’S BEST PLACES FOR KITEBOARDING.
Even though Swell is a ‘surf’ camp, that doesn’t mean all we do is surf. About 25% of our clients either combine their surf holiday with a kite-surfing course, or they just focus on kiteboarding and don’t surf at all. Another group of our clients don’t come to Swell at all for any kind of lessons, but come to Cabarete for a kiteboarding holiday and choose to stay Swell because it’s the most social place to stay for active solo travellers. One of the recurring questions we get from our clients who are ‘hooked’ on kitesurfing is ‘which other kitesurf destinations are worthwhile going to?’ So, here is a list of place which are our personal favourites for kiteboarding.
-1- CABARETE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Location: Caribbean; on the north coast of the Dominican Republic
What makes it so good: Ok, maybe we are a teeny bit biased since we are here, but it’s actually more to do with the fact that we traveled to 100’s of surf and kitesurf destinations around the world, before we chose Cabarete to base ourselves and build Swell surf camp. Basically, Swell is in the best kitesurf destination in the World, in our view. It’s great because it has side-on tradewinds (which are safer if you drop your kite in the water), has large, open, sandy beaches and warm air & water temperatures. You will find flat water kiting, long down-winders and also plenty of waves to ride. Consistent winds most of the year round make this an ideal kite-surf destination for kitesurfers of all levels. Plenty of quality kitesurf schools are to be found in Cabarete, and with easy access in and out of the warm water, make this an ideal place to learn to kite. How to get there: Direct flights from North America to Puerto Plata international airport and a 25 minute taxi ride later and you are in the action sport capital of the Caribbean; Cabarete. Conditions: Flat water in the lagoon, waves on the reefs and everything in between means there’s something for everyone. Best time to go: Best winds in Cabarete are between April and August. February and March can also be good, windy months. Average wind strength of 16 to 20 knots, side-onshore Best for: Riders of all levels: from complete beginners to experts. Ideal for an active holiday, combine kitesurfing with surfing and adventure trips. Tip: Do a downwinder from La Boca to Cabarete. More info: Windforecast link (opens a new window) More info on Kitesurfing in the Dominican Republic Cabarete kitesurf guide Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $
-2- CUMBUCO, BRAZIL
Location: South America, North of Fortaleza What makes it so good: Between September and December there are steady, strong winds. Wide open beaches and a large kitesurfing community
How to get there: Fly into Fortaleza, take a 1 hour taxi ride to Cumbuco Best time to go: Between September and December Best for: Intermediate kitesurfers who love doing downwinders, or experts that like to practise their freestyle moves on the lagoon just north of Cumbuco Tip: Visit Jericoacoara north of Cumbuco, a charming wind and kitesurf community, surrounded by sand dunes More info: Windforecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $
-3- TARIFA SPAIN
Location: Europe, Southern tip of Spain
What makes it so good: When there is wind there is lots of wind, so bring your small kites only How to get there: Drive within Europe or fly into Jerez airport, from there it’s 1,5 hours to Tarifa Best time to go: June, July , August, although it will be very very busy Best for: Experienced kitesurfers only, as it’s crowded and busy. Tarifa is not a good place to learn to kite. Tip: Plenty of nice cultural places to visit nearby More info: Windforecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $$
-4- LA VENTANA, MEXICO
Location: North America, Mexico on the Baja peninsula
What makes it so good: Good conditions for kiters of all levels who are looking for crystal clear, ‘flat’ water to cruise in. How to get there: Fly into Cabo San Lucas international airport, a taxi from the airport to La Ventana is about 3 hours Best time to go on a kite holiday: Between November and March Best for: Beginners and intermediate kiters Tip: Enjoy the fine Mexican food and go whale watching More info: Windforecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $
-5- MAUI , HAWAII
Location: Pacific islands of Hawaii, North Shore Maui
What makes it so good: Great conditions for advanced kitesurfers who want to ride the waves. How to get there: Fly into Honolulu take an island hopper to Maui and then hire a car or take a taxi to Kitebeach Best time to go: Between April and October Best for: Advanced riders More info: Wind forecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $$$
-6- MANCORA, PERU
Location: South America, North of Peru, just south of Ecuador
What makes it so good: Ok wind (can be gusty and is off-shore), but it great waves for advanced kitesurfers who want to ride some of the world’s longest waves How to get there: Fly into Lima, then take another plane to Piura, then a 3 hour taxi ride to get to Mancora Best time to go: Between September and December Best for: Advanced to expert kiters. Mancora is suitable for beginners as well, but the wave spots are for very experienced riders, only as the wind is side-offshore and can be very gusty. Tip: Eat the local ceviche, go and surf at Chicama the worlds longest left More info: Wind forecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $
-7- SUMBAWA, INDONESIA
Location: Asia, on the north coast of Sumbawa
What makes it so good: High quality waves for kite wave-riders How to get there: Fly into Bali, then another flight to Sumbawa and then a few hours in a taxi Best time to go: Between September and November Best for: Expert kitesurfers; hardcore waves, side-offshore wind means there is not much room for error, the reef is also very shallow and very sharp Tip: Bring spare kite equipment, since there are no kite shops here and chances are some of you kite equipment may get eaten by the waves. More info:Windforecast link (opens new window) Prices range for a kitesurf holiday: $
OUR LIST OF WORLDS BEST KITESURFING DESTINATIONS
These are some of our personal favorite kitesurf destinations we have visited over the years. There are of course many more stunning kitesurf spots to be found. Worth a mention are: The Philippines, Mauritius, The Canary Islands, and if you don’t mind the cold, the Netherlands. Before going on a kite surf holiday anywhere, make sure you look up the local wind statistics, certain spots can be consistently world class in certain months and then be without wind over 10 knots at other times of the year. Websites such as Windguru give accurate forecasts and also provide wind archives per day, week and month of the year in their archives. Planning on a kitesurfing trip to Cabarete and have any questions? Shoot us an email, we have been living and kitesurfing here for over 10 years so can tell you all about the ins and outs of kitesurfing in Cabarete.
WANT TO TO KITESURFING?
Swell works with the best Cabarete kitesurf school and we have created an all-inclusive learn to kitesurf package. We hope to welcome you in our place in the Caribbean soon.
CABARETE KITESURFING VIDEO
WORLDS BEST KITESURFING DESTINATIONS
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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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ABOUT SWELL SURF CAMP
Founded in the winter of 2009, Swell Surf Camp emerged from Jeroen and Clare Mutsaars vision. They lived in the Dominican Republic for eight years and spotted a gap in the surf camp market for higher quality accommodations combined with an engaging social atmosphere. Their extensive travel and stay experiences across different countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Hawaii, Indonesia and various European nations fueled their passion to elevate the surfing retreat experience.
Swell Surf Camp is renowned as the world’s first luxury surf camp tailored specifically for beginners. The founders collaborated with a notable Swiss architect to design facilities that blend comfort with style. This innovative approach ensures every guest enjoys superior lodging and amenities. Since its inception, Swell has taught over 9,000 people how to surf with an emphasis on safety, fun, and structure.
Our achievements speak volumes. Swell has collected numerous accolades and maintains hundreds of stellar reviews from guests globally. Recognized repeatedly as the leading destination for luxury surf vacations, our commitment to excellence keeps us at the forefront of the industry.
Beyond surfing, Swell offers a diverse range of activities including kitesurfing, wingfoiling, and yoga classes. Guests can also enjoy horse riding both on scenic beaches and mountain trails—plus exciting adventure-filled excursions like canyoning.
A crucial element of any vacation is food, and here at Swell we excel. We provide delicious home-cooked meals daily. For evenings out, guests find themselves just minutes away from an array of dining options that promise satisfying culinary adventures.
For those who prioritize upscale amenities and wellness in a unique setting built around learning surf skills amid profound natural beauty, Swell should be on the top of your surf destination list
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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.
“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]