Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
Cabarete Beach is the Dominican Republic's world-famous watersports capital — a vibrant, energetic stretch of golden sand where the consistent Atlantic trade winds have made it a global centre for kitesurfing, windsurfin
Location
Cabarete village, Puerto Plata province
Best For
Kitesurfing, Windsurfing & Surfing
Water Temp
24–27°C (year-round)
Crowds
Lively – popular with sports crowd
Parking
Village street parking
Facilities
Excellent – full watersports infrastructure
Cabarete Beach is the Dominican Republic's undisputed centre of watersports culture, and one of the most renowned kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations in the entire world. The combination of reliable Atlantic trade winds that blow side-onshore from June through August, a protected bay with a flat-water lagoon inside the reef and sizable ocean waves outside it, and a warm, social beach village atmosphere has turned Cabarete into a global magnet for riders of all skill levels.
The kitesurfing here is world-class. The wide sandy bay, consistent cross-shore thermal trade winds in the afternoon, and the presence of a shallow lagoon protected by a sandbar at Kite Beach (just east of the main beach) make the conditions technically ideal. The bay also hosts the annual Cabarete Race Week, one of the most prestigious amateur windsurfing events in the Caribbean. More than a dozen professional kite and wind schools operate from the beach, offering instruction from complete beginner to advanced level, and the social scene that develops each evening among the international community of riders is genuinely electric.
Beyond the watersports infrastructure, Cabarete has evolved into a vibrant beach village in its own right, with a lively strip of restaurants, bars, and shops along the beachfront road. The yoga and wellness scene is remarkably well developed, with several retreat centres and studios catering to the alternative sports crowd that congregates here. For non-watersports visitors, Cabarete is also an excellent base for day trips to the famous 27 Charcos waterfall cascades inland and the El Choco cave system within walking distance.
Cabarete is approximately 22 km east of Sosua and 40 km east of Puerto Plata Airport. Taxis from POP airport take about 40 minutes and cost US$35–45. Regular guagua buses run the coastal highway from Puerto Plata city to Cabarete frequently throughout the day. Many visitors base themselves in Cabarete and explore west towards Puerto Plata.
June through August is peak kitesurfing and windsurfing season when the thermal trade winds are strongest and most consistent. December through March is better for surfing (consistent northeast swells) and sees the highest number of foreign visitors. The beach is enjoyable and active year-round.
Beginners should book lessons through established schools — the conditions here can be powerful and self-teaching is not recommended. Cabarete Race Week (typically June) is a highlight of the year but accommodation fills up months in advance. The beachfront restaurant and bar scene in the evening is excellent and very lively — Cabarete has some of the best nightlife on the north coast.