Surfing Guide to Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Summary
Going on a surf trip to Cabarete is very rewarding in many ways. First off, Dominican Republic is not just an all-inclusive holiday destination. It also has a lot to offer for adventurers looking for a local experience…and looking to surf!
As far as surfing in Dominican Republic goes, Cabarete is definitely the one place you want to head to in order to have the best time. You will find multiple surf spots that will suit all levels of surfers.
The town is very safe and friendly, has a lot of accommodation/surf camps/surf schools options and sits right on the beach. With tropical weather all year there is no need to bring anything else than board shorts and a lot of sunscreen.
When to go
The best time to surf in Dominican Republic is from October to April. However, even in summer there are waves to be found for beginners looking to improve their surfing on gentle waves. Summer will also be less busy than winter.
| January-February | March-April | May-June | July-August | September-October | November-December | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for: | All surfers | All surfers | All surfers | All surfers | All surfers | All surfers |
| Air temperature | 25°C 77°F | 26°C 79°F | 27°C 81°F | 28°C 82°F | 27°C 81°F | 26°C 79°F |
| Water temperature | 27°C 81°F | 28°C 82°F | 29°C 84°F | 29°C 84°F | 29°C 84°F | 28°C 82°F |
| Crowd | Fairly crowded | Fairly crowded | Few people | Few people | Few people | Fairly crowded |
| Swell Consistency | 80% | 65% | 40% | 40% | 60% | 75% |
| Swell height | 6 ft | 5 ft | 3 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 6 ft |
Where to stay in Cabarete
Destroyers
A high level, barreling wave located on the left outside reef at Playa Encuentro. Destroyers breaks on a very shallow reef and should only be attacked by experienced surfers.
- Wave direction : Left
- Bottom : Reef
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Advanced
- Optimal swell direction : N
- Optimal wind direction : S
Coco Pipe
Here is another intense wave known as the “Pipeline” of Cabarete. Coco Pipe is located on the right outside reef at Playa Encuentro and is a very decent reef break that should also be left for experts only.
- Wave direction : Left and right
- Bottom : Reef
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Advanced
- Optimal swell direction : N
- Optimal wind direction : S
Bobo’s
From Bobo’s all the way to the inside of Playa Encuentro is where beginners are mostly welcomed. Waves are gentle and the ocean bottom is very forgiving.
- Wave direction : Right
- Bottom : Reef and sand
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Any
- Optimal swell direction : N
- Optimal wind direction : S
The Right
Main peak at Playa Encuentro, The Right can get crowded as it is not as intense as Destroyers or Coco Pipe but remains a good quality wave.
- Wave direction : Right
- Bottom : Reef
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
- Optimal swell direction : N
- Optimal wind direction : S
The Left
This one is located between The Right and Destroyers. This one is not super consistent but when it does work, it is a high level wave with tube-riding potential.
- Wave direction : Left
- Bottom : Reef
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Advanced
- Optimal swell direction : N
- Optimal wind direction : S