All activities / Kitesurfing / Cabarete
Kitesurfing in CabareteDO
The Caribbean's kitesurfing capital since the 1990s, where NE trade winds and afternoon thermals combine on a sheltered bay to produce reliable 15-25 knot conditions from December through July. An international community of instructors, schools, and long-term kite residents has made Cabarete more than a destination — it's an ecosystem.
Why here
Cabarete has been the Caribbean's kitesurfing capital since the late 1990s, when early riders discovered that trade winds and an afternoon thermal combine on this north-coast bay to deliver reliable wind from December through July. What has grown up around those conditions is more than a kite beach — it's a community. The Kite Beach strip (less than 2km of coastline) supports multiple schools, repair shops, a resident international instructor community, and a surf-and-kite culture that has been building on itself for 25 years. Beginners benefit from structured school programmes and jet ski backup systems; advanced riders access wave conditions at Playa Encuentro 5km west. The Dominican Republic adds year-round warm water (28-30°C), direct flights from North America, and exceptional local food at prices that make extended stays affordable.
Best months
Wind: NE trade winds combined with afternoon thermal, 15-25 knots typical, 25-30 on strong days. Direction: slightly offshore at Kite Beach — schools use jet ski safety systems and defined launch/landing protocols; supervision essential for beginners. Water temp: 28-30°C year-round. Best months: December-July for most reliable wind; August-November more variable and hurricane risk August-October. Flat water inside the bay; ocean swell to the east toward Encuentro for experienced wave riders. Kite Beach: sandy bottom, shallow entry zone, well-organized right-of-way rules among schools. Playa Encuentro (5km west): wave breaks, reef-adjacent, intermediate to advanced.
Getting there & around
Fly direct to Puerto Plata (POP) — 30 minutes from Cabarete; direct flights from New York (JFK), Montreal, Toronto, Miami. Alternative: Punta Cana (PUJ) with 3-hour transfer. Taxi from Puerto Plata airport to Cabarete: $25-35 USD. Kite Beach strip is a 500m zone — schools, accommodation, restaurants and bars all on foot. Schools include Dare2Fly, Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, and CKS Cabarete — book ahead for December-March peak. Budget to mid accommodation; all-inclusive resorts exist but are not the Kite Beach vibe. Bilingual environment (Spanish/English) throughout. Combine with a trip to 27 Waterfalls in the mountains behind Puerto Plata.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (3)
Dare2Fly Cabarete
SchoolOne of Cabarete's original IKO schools, founded in 1999 and female-owned. Operates from Kite Beach with a reputation for patient, attentive instruction and an easy walk-up atmosphere. Well regarded for first-timers who want a relaxed, non-intimidating introduction to the sport.
Kite Club Cabarete
SchoolHome of kiteboarding in Cabarete for over two decades, Kite Club sits directly on Kite Beach — the sport's spiritual home in the Caribbean. Full rental fleet, IKO certification courses, and an open-door atmosphere that draws returning riders year after year.
Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding
SchoolFounded by champion kiteboarder Laurel Eastman, LEK is one of the most respected schools in the Caribbean. Emphasis on safety, personal coaching, and technique refinement. Particularly strong for women-focused programmes and for intermediate riders aiming to level up.