No body suits are needed, because the water is warm all year round. Rent all equipment on site. Playa Encuentro has some quirks that need mastering, especially learning to go with the flow of the currents in the area. Also, the reef is shallow and sharp.

Nevertheless, precisely because the beach is shallow and has no debris on the bottom, it is very popular. There always seem to be people riding and learning. People are always on the lookout and with so many good and experienced swimmers there is safety in numbers.

Kiteboarding
Cabarete has hosted world kiteboarding championships since 2001.

Mauricio Toscani, president of the PKRA, the Professional Kiteboarders Riders Association, has described Cabarete as the best place in the Caribbean for kiteboarding. In his opinion, the natural conditions make Cabarete the preferred beach for kitesurfers the world over. Especially appreciated are the warm water temperatures ranging from 84F in summer to a “chilly” 80F in winter.

Cabarete’s annual June event is the third stop on the PKRA world tour schedule. Other stops are Venezuela, Austria, Greece, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), Canada, Italy and Brazil.

Several kiteboarding schools are located right on the beach for anyone wanting to perfect their skills or take up this extreme sport.

The aptly named Kite Beach area of Cabarete beach is dedicated to kiteboarding. Here the flat water, cross winds and waves on the reef attract all the kiteboarders once the winds pick up.