Cabarete.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Cabarete. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

A town built around the wind

Cabarete lies on a curve of sand in Puerto Plata Province, on the Atlantic side of the island of Hispaniola. A consistent onshore breeze funnels along the bay, which has made it a base for professional windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions, including a Windsurfing World Cup and the multi-sport Master of the Ocean event.

The settlement dates from 1835, when the merchant Zephaniah Kingsley founded it on his estate and brought freed people from his Florida plantations; their descendants still live in the area. Today the town has about 14,000 residents, a long strip of restaurants and bars along the main road, and an international crowd of kiters, surfers and remote workers. It has a tropical rainforest climate.

Playa Encuentro: the main surf break

Playa Encuentro, about five kilometres west of Cabarete Bay, is the town's main surf beach and has several breaks suited to beginners and experienced surfers alike. Local guides describe a multi-peak reef and sand break with a left on one side, a faster right on the other and a hollow wave known as Coco Pipe that works mostly in winter or on hurricane swell. Names and numbers of peaks vary between sources, so ask in the water.

The left is the friendliest, with a gentle, rolling wall for beginners and intermediates. The right is faster and more demanding. Because several peaks break at once, the crowd spreads out better than in many small towns. A local surf school or the staff in the beach shops can tell you where to start.

Kite Beach and the reef west of town

Kite Beach is about 2.4 kilometres west of the bay and is where most kitesurfers launch. There is also a reef break there that is popular with stand-up paddle surfers. The reef is shallow in places and the water is busy with kites on windy days, so surfers should check the shoreline and give lines a wide berth.

There are more breaks along the coast between Cabarete and Sosúa, as well as a few reef setups west of Encuentro that local surfers know. Many of these are only accessible by a dirt track or require a paddle, and some work only on certain tides and swells. Take local advice and go with someone who has been before.

Wind, swell and when it all lines up

The north coast gets Atlantic swell from winter storms, and the surf season generally runs from November to April. December, January and February are considered the most reliable months for larger waves, and some guides add that the biggest swells come in October and April. In summer, waves are usually smaller, and the afternoon wind is stronger, which suits learners and kiters.

The daily breeze usually builds through the late morning and is strongest around midday. For surfers that means early starts: dawn sessions often have lighter winds and cleaner faces, and by lunchtime the wind makes the surface choppy. That rhythm also leaves the afternoon free for kitesurfing or a swim.

Getting to Cabarete from the airport

Puerto Plata's international airport (POP) is the nearest, with seasonal and year-round flights from North America and Europe. By road, Cabarete is roughly half an hour away, depending on traffic and the route, and taxis and pre-booked transfers are the standard way to arrive. Some visitors fly into Santiago or Santo Domingo and drive across the island, which takes several hours.

Within Cabarete, motoconchos (motorbike taxis) and shared minibuses called guaguas run along the main road, while Encuentro is a short ride away. Many visitors rent a scooter or a car to reach more distant beaches. Keep your belongings secure, agree prices before taking taxis and be careful on the busy main road after dark.

The lagoons and the countryside

A short distance from the town, the Cabarete and Goleta Lagoons Natural Monument preserves a tropical karst landscape of caves, mangroves and freshwater lagoons. It makes a good half-day excursion on a flat day or when the wind is too strong for the water.

Further afield, the nearby city of Puerto Plata has a cable car up Isabel de Torres and an old fort, while Sosúa has a calmer bay and a long history as a settlement for European refugees. The north coast offers waterfalls, canyoning and horse-riding. Many activities are run by local operators, so check reviews and safety standards before booking.

Warm sea, shallow reef: staying safe at Encuentro

Water temperature is warm year-round, typically in the mid- to high 20s Celsius, so most people surf in boardshorts and a rash vest. The wet season roughly runs from May to November, and hurricane season runs from June to November, with late summer and autumn the peak. Storms can bring heavy rain and big swell, so check forecasts.

Reef breaks mean sea urchins, coral cuts and shallow sections, particularly at low tide. Rips run near channels, and kitesurf lines are a hazard on windy afternoons. Wear reef shoes if you are not used to rock and carry a small first-aid kit. Take sensible precautions with valuables on the beach and use licensed transport for night trips.

Cabarete surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning to surf in Cabarete

Cabarete has plenty of surf schools and instructors, many of them based around Encuentro. Lessons use soft boards on the gentler lefts and in the white water, with a rash vest and sunscreen advised because of the sun. Summer waves are smaller, so the main season for learners runs through the lower-swell months.

Ask how groups are organised and how instructors handle the reef. A good school will take you to a spot suited to your level and teach you how to fall safely. Because kitesurfing and windsurfing dominate the bay, make sure lessons are held away from the busy kite lanes.

If you already surf, a short session with a local coach can help you read the reef and learn the unwritten rules at Encuentro. Many visitors combine a surf lesson with a first kite lesson in the same week.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in Dominican Republic.