The premier kitesurfing destination on the Dominican Republic’s north coast, Cabarete is referred to as the mecca of the sport.

HIGHLIGHTS

ONE OF THE BEST SPOTS IN THE WORLD
Cabarete has consistent wind nearly year-round, from December to September, and conditions suitable for a range of disciplines and riding levels.

VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR DOWNWINDERS
La Boca to Cabarete and Cabarete to Encuentro are some of the downwinder options available to kitesurfers looking for an adventure.

CARIBBEAN NIGHTLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
No wind? No problem. Rent a SUP, explore the waterfalls or go on one of the many excursions offered by local tour guides. Cabarete’s bar and the restaurant-lined beach also offer a variety of dining options and a vibrant nightlife.

PROXIMITY TO AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Cabarete is easily accessible with direct flights from Europe, Canada, and the United States to the nearby Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata which is just 30 minutes away from Cabarete.

KITESURFING IN CABARETE

Cabarete offers a number of classic spots. Kite Beach can get busy with riders near the shore, but upwind you’ll have waves and open water to yourself. Go directly east or upwind of Kite Beach and you’ll find Cabarete Bay. La Policía is just upwind of the windsurfing zone on the main beach and is the perfect playground for advanced riders.

Beginners can easily learn to fly kites here, too. Bozo Beach, downwind in Cabarete’s main bay, has cross-onshore wind and choppy water conditions. Bozo is suitable for all levels and the more advanced can venture 800 meters out to the reef to find breaking waves.

Wind, weather, and water

Cabarete is a year-round destination with well over 200 days of kiting a year. The wind is typically cross onshore, 20+ knots, and strongest in the summer. You can find the most reliable wind from April to September when the temperature can reach over 30°C / 86°F. The water is calmer and flatters this time of the year while winter is a good time for wave riding. October and November are the rainy months.

Trade winds push water onto a well-defined outer reef that kicks up chest to head-high waves and protects the bay, making for choppy water on the inside and rolling blue water starboard tack swells on the outside. Water temperatures sit in the mid-20s (°C) / mid-70s (°F) nearly all year.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES FOR KITESURFING IN CABARETE?

KITE BEACH

Hazards (Area Map)

The world-famous Kite Beach in Cabarete is just a few minutes drives or a 20-minute walk from the center of town. Kite Beach became a popular spot because it has consistent wind and something to offer kiters of all levels and disciplines. Steady trade winds are why many of the world’s best kitesurfers call Kite Beach their home spot.

Wind: Cross onshore
Conditions: Semi-chop inside the reef and good waves on the reef
Good for: All levels and disciplines
Level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced riders
Watch out for: Seasonal erosion makes the beach smaller during the summer
Getting there: Short drive or a 20-minute walk long the beach from the center of Cabarete
Tip: Kite during lunchtime or hold off for an evening session to avoid the masses.

CABARETE BAY

Cabarete’s main beach has several different sections. The upwind part (east) is Cabarete’s windsurf area, but some kitesurfers venture there too (although you might get the stink-eye from the territorial windsurfers). If you get too close to the restaurants, your kite might fall out of the sky because there’s a wind shadow (no steady wind) close to the beach.

The next part of the beach is called Bozo Beach and this starts around the Ocean One and Ocean Dream developments. In the afternoon, you’ll find steady trade winds from here, all the way west.

Wind: Cross onshore

Conditions: Semi-chop inside the reef, good waves on the reef

Good for: There’s something for everyone

Level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced riders

Watch out for: Some shallow parts on the reef and at times (mostly February, March, and April) there’s a heavy shore break at Bozo Beach

Getting there: It’s right in the center of Cabarete

Tip: Ride downwind to Kite Beach from Cabarete Bay, a few tacks upwind and you’re back where you started.

LA BOCA

La Boca is a lagoon at the end of the Yassica River. It’s not a huge area, but because of this, the water at the river mouth is butter smooth, ideal for freestyle kitesurfers to practice their moves. The spot widens as you get closer to the river mouth. Around the launch area though it’s pretty tight and it can get crowded with a handful of kiters.

There are some basic facilities at La Boca including restaurants and small shops where you can buy drinks and food.

Wind: Cross shore

Conditions: Super flat water

Good for: Kitesurfers who love flat water for freestyle moves

Level: Intermediate and expert riders

Watch out for: After rain, there could be some floating logs, and getting tangled with other kiters in a small area is always a risk

Getting there: Take a car or moto-taxi 15 minutes east from Cabarete

Tips: Don’t forget to bring a kite pump. When you’re done at La Boca, you can kiteboard downwind back to Cabarete.

ENCUENTRO

Playa Encuentro is the top surfing spot in the Dominican Republic. Ultra consistent waves year-round make it a favorite for surfers. But it’s not just surfers who love Playa Encuentro. At around two in the afternoon, the wind picks up enough for kitesurfers who also flock to this spot. This spot is ideal for kitesurfers who like to ride good waves with directional boards. Many kitesurfers do downwinders from Cabarete Bay or Kite Beach, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes with plenty of good waves all along the coast.

Wind: Cross onshore

Conditions: Waves

Good for: Wave riders

Level: Intermediate and experts riders

Watch out for: Landing your kite is not easy, you might have to stand in the water so beware of sea urchins. There’s a very shallow reef, especially at low tide. Don’t drop your kite when doing a downwinder from Cabarete, there are rocky spots without a beach for getting out of the water.

Tip: Go with a friend. Landing is likely to be easier on a patch of sand just west of the main peak at Playa Encuentro

TRAVELING TO CABARETE AS A KITER

Getting There

You can catch a direct flight from Europe, Canada, and the United States to Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago or Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

Cabarete is just 30 minutes away from POP by taxi, which costs around $30 USD. If you fly into STI, the taxi ride to Cabarete takes around two hours and costs roughly $100. A taxi from SDQ to Cabarete is around $200 and takes about four hours. Car rentals are also available at all three airports.

Accommodation

There are lots of accommodation options, from cheap hostels and rooms to luxury condos and boutique hotels. The prices get more expensive the closer you get to the beach, and there are deals to be had if you choose to stay for longer than a month.

Getting Around

Everybody gets around on motorcycle taxis known as “motoconchos.” They’re flying up and down the strip day and night, and you’ll never have to wait long to catch a ride. You can also rent a car from $25 USD a day, rent a motorcycle, or jump in a taxi. Be very vigilant when walking along the road or driving, the roads are hectic places.

Food and Drink

Since Cabarete is quite cosmopolitan for a small town, there are plenty of options for eating out. There are a number of Italian restaurants, a Belgian bakery, and cafes to choose from as well as many Dominican eateries known as “Comedors”, offering the local staple of chicken and rice. Expect to pay more for your food and drink if you’re on the beach and a little less if you are on the main strip or a little out of town. There are two local beers in the Dominican Republic, Presidente, and Bohemia. Rum is also very popular, although the rum and cokes are very very strong. So be careful!

No Wind?

This small town has lots to offer on the non-windy days with almost limitless activities to keep you entertained. Of course, there is great snorkeling and surfing, but you could float down the river in a tube or fly down the zip-lines at the Monkey Jungle. There is even a pretty amazing circus school where you can learn all sorts of cool stuff and also fly the trapeze. If anyone ever tells you they’re bored in Cabarete, check their pulse, they might be dead.