Surfing in the Dominican Republic

[Uzin]

The conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing are totally different to surfing or body/boggy surfing. I have been to Playa Encuentro many times but hated it, so much rocks and reefs (have the scars to prove it), quite dangerous, very unstable and unpredictable waves, and so much wind with strong current. I see some guys always try to surf there but I am not sure if it's any good - perhaps that's all they can get around here.

I am not a surfer but I body surf (half-board) occasionally and been to places in Costa Rica and Brazil that are in a different league to Playa Encuentro or anywhere I have seen in DR. I haven't found a nice place to body surf in the North Coast. I think it is also depend very much on the wind, so very seasonal and occasional - kind of if you are lucky on the day. Same for Cabarete, not really a surf place with nice waves, but good wind/perfect for kite/wind surfers.

They even have a surf school in Encuentro for kids, how they survive all those rocks/reefs I don't know....!

The best waves I saw once was near Las Terrenas in Playa Cuson, but only once, several other occasions it was like a beautiful lake..... ! lol

Very hit an miss here, so not a big surfing place, but kite/wind surfing specially in Cabarete is very consistent and perfect, hence one of the best spots in the world for those sports - now I just wish they put/rent some small sail dinghies and hobby cats, that I also like, to make use of all that wind...

 

[USA DOC]

I think I once took a Winona to Saona.....

...did you know that winona is the name of a canoe made in minnesota...and yes Saona is a island....so you probably did!!!!..........

 

[windeguy]

The conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing are totally different to surfing or body/boggy surfing. I have been to Playa Encuentro many times but hated it, so much rocks and reefs (have the scars to prove it), quite dangerous, very unstable and unpredictable waves, and so much wind with strong current. I see some guys always try to surf there but I am not sure if it's any good - perhaps that's all they can get around here.

I am not a surfer but I body surf (half-board) occasionally and been to places in Costa Rica and Brazil that are in a different league to Playa Encuentro or anywhere I have seen in DR. I haven't found a nice place to body surf in the North Coast. I think it is also depend very much on the wind, so very seasonal and occasional - kind of if you are lucky on the day. Same for Cabarete, not really a surf place with nice waves, but good wind/perfect for kite/wind surfers.

They even have a surf school in Encuentro for kids, how they survive all those rocks/reefs I don't know....!

The best waves I saw once was near Las Terrenas in Playa Cuson, but only once, several other occasions it was like a beautiful lake..... ! lol

Very hit an miss here, so not a big surfing place, but kite/wind surfing specially in Cabarete is very consistent and perfect, hence one of the best spots in the world for those sports - now I just wish they put/rent some small sail dinghies and hobby cats, that I also like, to make use of all that wind...

The time to surf at Encuentro is during the winter months. Less wind and some potentially very big waves. Going there in the summer is not nearly as good since the waves are much smaller and the winds much higher. Also, Encuentro is best in the early morning. We have had a number of guests go to Encuentro to surf in the morning and then Kite Surf in the afternoon, when the winds or lack thereof are more favorable to each sport.

Absolutely true about Cabarete and Kite Surfing where conditions are as good as it gets anywhere.

When were you there?

 

[Uzin]

The time to surf at Encuentro is during the winter months. Less wind and some potentially very big waves. Going there in the summer is not nearly as good since the waves are much smaller and the winds much higher. Also, Encuentro is best in the early morning. We have had a number of guests go to Encuentro to surf in the morning and then Kite Surf in the afternoon, when the winds or lack thereof are more favorable to each sport.

Absolutely true about Cabarete and Kite Surfing where conditions are as good as it gets anywhere.

When were you there?

I can't remember exactly but I have been to Playa Encuentro many times, perhaps not in the winter high season though - I am getting away from DR (Sosua) in the high season in recent years....

Interesting point about early mornings though, I have always been there in the afternoon. (Surf in the morning and kite surf in the afternoon, ha - must be young, I feel knackered just thinking about it.... lol.)

 

[windeguy]

I can't remember exactly but I have been to Playa Encuentro many times, perhaps not in the winter high season though - I am getting away from DR (Sosua) in the high season in recent years....

Interesting point about early mornings though, I have always been there in the afternoon. (Surf in the morning and kite surf in the afternoon, ha - must be young, I feel knackered just thinking about it.... lol.)

Going in the afternoon was definitely a part of the problem at Encuentro. Those that have done the morning surf and after noon kite were some of the quietest guests we ever had. And yes, they were very young and extremely exhausted.