Surfing in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s long coastline is lined with an abundance of surf breaks and stunning natural beauty. The sun shines most days of the year, and the average water and air temperature are 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius), so a wet-suit is never required. The Dominican Republic is known for its friendly and warm nature, and the surf scene has an equally good vibe.
Surfing Town of Cabarete
The north coast of the Dominican Republic offers a variety of conditions for water sports, which you will find within the vibrant island town of Cabarete. Well known for its excellent wind and kite surfing conditions, Cabarete also offers a consistent surf spot called Playa Encuentro, located on the west end of town.
Encuentro Beach
Playa Encuentro offers the most consistent surf spot on the island, with several spots pleasing long-boarders and short-boarders alike. A large expanse of whitewater on the inside provides the perfect spot for beginners learning to catch waves for the first time. The winter swells that hit Puerto Rico serve up the same waves along the north coast of Dominican Republic, making Encuentro beach an attractive destination for surfers.
Encuentro beach has several surf schools located directly along the beach, offering surf lessons, boards, and rentals. Open daily at 7am, the welcoming beach ambiance and friendly surf school staff is happy to assist you. The long, clean sandy beach is lined with palm trees offering shade, making Playa Encuentro an ideal destination for spending a relaxing time in the sun and surf. A new onsite restaurant, bathrooms and shower facilities provide everything you need to enjoy the day.
Wave Season
The North, East and South coasts of the island experience different swell and seasonal conditions. The Dominican Republic’s North coast borders the Atlantic Ocean and has the most consistent surf swell year-round. If surfing is your main goal, the best conditions are typically from September to the end of April. The summer months offer calmer, smaller conditions perfect for long-boarding and learning to surf, so there truly are waves year round. Advanced surfers can find fun morning waves even in the summertime along the easterly beaches of town. The South coast of the island along the Caribbean Sea provides heavier waves in the summer months from May until the end of August.
Explore the Island
If you have the inclination to explore, there are surf spots around the whole island. Make friends with the local surfers, or hire an expert surf guide to explore the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Contact us for more information about planning your surf trip to the Dominican Republic. We can’t wait to share our surfing island paradise with you.
