Swell Surf Camp Cabarete

Phenomenal location, vibe and layout. The jewel of this place is the fantastic crew - surf instructors (Neno, Henry, Daniel and Melvin), the staff on site, and Clare’s attention to every detail. Swell Surf Camp is the place to go!

Great surf lessons, great accommodation but what really made our holiday special was the Swell staff: super friendly & helpfull!
Thank you Swell

A quick note to say that I loved my time at Swell! From Neno, to Haudy, to the incredible team who cooked and cleaned, what a great time. I loved the convenience of the quick bus to solid morning surf and the local knowledge of the coaches. The accommodations were simple, secure, and clean-the fresh breakfasts were super highlights! We will be back soon!

Just returned from a week at Swell and am already trying to figure out when I can return. The surf coaches are all great and work closely with you throughout your time in and out of the water. They truly wanted you to succeed every day by providing any feedback and encouragement needed. The accommodations were clean and perfect for the vibe swell is going for. The room was cleaned daily and never did I feel unsafe in the room or the location. Your safe is large enough for a smaller laptop and valuables so you do not need to worry when not onsite and a security person is there throughout the night to ensure your safety. The food each day was wonderful and they were happy to change things to your liking if needed. There are also tons of great options for food nearby and easily walkable. The transportation was always on time to ensure you got to the break earlier than anyone else out there, we even left slightly earlier a few days to ensure we go the best conditions thanks to Neno's suggestion. Yoga was also great and well taught, highly recommend it at the end of a long day. Haudy was very helpful in arranging excursions and any additional needed transportation/suggestions. Clare also checked in to see how things were going during the week which was a nice extra touch. Best of all is meeting likeminded folks from all over who became close friends by the end of the week. If you need a reset and active vacation I highly recommend swell, it truly is like going to camp as an adult!

If I could leave more stars I would! Best place to learn surf at any age (I’m 59). The coaches are fantastic! Our daily breakfasts and 3 dinners were delicious and nutritious. When we weren’t eating at camp, there were many wonderful restaurants within walking distance. Clean and comfortable rooms. I took full advantage of yoga, snorkeling, and canyoning but relaxing by the pool is available too. The staff will schedule these events for you. I met wonderful new friends. If your looking for a fun filled, active week full of adventures I’d recommend this a the place to go!

We arrived to ants in our suite, which was addressed within hours, but the room was being cased. The next night the boyfriend of the cleaner broke into our locked room thru the very small bathroom window. My wife woke me, with him standing over her, holding her purse and my passport while he was breaking into the safe. I chased him and was able to restrain him as he was climbing the wall where he had cut the security wire. The security guard was telling me to let him go. The system had been shut down and the camera pointed on our door was disabled. The “police” eventually took him away on a moped. Claire offered to refund the trip and give us a free trip to another location.
She is really nice, but she lives in another country. Haudi, also very nice, was pretty much paralyzed during the critical moments following the break in. Our surf guide Ricky was absolutely instrumental in managing the language barrier and helping us to find the lost articles that the perp threw over the wall. (as the getaway ride continued to circle) he was terminated shortly thereafter. That was a shame in my opinion. Our daughter slept with the lights on for over a year, I have replayed this event in my bed more than a thousand times. It’s been 3 years this past Christmas. I’ll never go back to that country. The surrounding town is sketchy. Stay on your toes. Head on a swivel. It’s not a place for families. Probably more suited for 25 year olds.
I’m sure Claire will offer a gracious response to this. There is only so much she can control from England. She seems to really care but there’s only so much she can do.

Great trip: food, service, fellow guests, and surf instruction all exceeded expectations. And management was a huge help replacing broken phone!

Simply a Great Experience!
I just spent 10 days at Swell in December, 2022. I had a super time. As a result of a large storm in the Mid-Atlantic, the surf was larger than normal. So, as a beginner surfer, I spent my time in the secondary whitewater. But I still enjoyed it thoroughly.
The surf instructors, led by Neno, were such nice guys - Henry, Danny and Melvin. In fact, the entire staff at Swell, led by the manager Houdy, was super-professional and super-accommodating.
Food was great, room was clean and tasteful, and the other guests were an amiable mix of folks from England, Canada and the U. S. I'd definitely recommend Swell for those that want to learn to surf and have a lovely time in a stunning place.

We completed our stay last week at Swell and had such a fantastic time! Overall, the experience was so different than any other vacation we have done in the past. The atmosphere at Swell and the team running the operations were very professional, and I can't say enough about them and the welcoming environment they provided to us daily.

The breakfasts every day and the quality home-cooked dinners Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were something my son and I always anticipated during our stay.

We enjoyed the like-minded guests staying there. It's like the Swell Universe brings the right people together to collaborate for healthy conservations and experiences.

This review is long overdue as I have been twice to this surf camp. A gem of a place to treat yourself to for an active vacation! With luxurious en-suite accommodations with all amenities provided for (more than basics), such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bath towels, and beach towels. Just bring your bathing suit! The rooms are cleaned everyday. The meals were among the best I've ever had, prepared with care by two smiling local ladies. If only I could eat like this year-long. Two long surf sessions to perfect your skills starting early in the morning. It was the most natural wake-up call to go greet the ocean each morning, chauffeured by a happy-go-lucky Miguel. The facilites (outdoor pool, pool table, baby foot, communal dining areas and lounge) were good for social interactions, or quiet alone downtime. A step away is the beach and Cabarete, a town full of locals and expats, with restaurants, bars and shops to explore. Don't forget to book the canyoning activity, one of the most memorable physical activities. I also lucked out in trying wind surfing at no cost, some local surfer just kindly offered a free lesson. And most of all, I felt so lucky to meet all the persons, working at Swell or vacationing there, and to be in such great company! Special shoutout to Neno and Haudy, who basically make this place THE place! A must for people who despise all-inclusive resorts where alcohol flow freely with nothing to do but lounge around. You will love this place!

Highly Recommend! Such a great experience and so much to do along with surfing. The Swell rooms are exceptionally clean. The staff are all so friendly and accommodating. The surf instructors are some of the best I’ve ever had. The management is wonderful and organized. So nice to have a swell taxi pick us up to drive a short distance, to surf every day. I felt well taken care of and happy in this beautiful place!
I am looking forward to returning.

I had an absolutely amazing time at Swell surf camp. Everyone was so kind and made me feel so welcome. This was my first solo trip and I couldn’t have asked for a better one! The food was incredible. The surf coaches were very helpful (it was my first time surfing ever and I learned a lot) definitely want to continue learning how to surf! Definitely want to go back soon!

As someone who has visited surf camps around the world for nearly 30 years, Swell really stands out. It is not geared towards your experienced, frothing ripper, rather Swell does an outstanding job of welcoming and teaching beginners and the less experienced surfer. I would recommend Swell to anyone 20 to 60 years old who dreams of learning to surf. The social experience is just great, too. You might hear five different languages around the communal table, all expressing their stoke. The staff, food, and instructors are all top notch. I just completed my third visit, and I will definitely be returning for a fourth.

Just spent my first week at Swell and it was amazing. The staff goes out of their way to make sure your stay is wonderful. The food was delicious and the surf instructors were cool and laid back (Neno, Henry, Melvon, and Dani). The accommodations are simple but comfortable. The place is clean and the landscaping is beautiful. Hoping to go back next year!

Honestly one of the best trips I've ever taken. The entire staff was extremely helpful and just fun to be around. The surf instructors were knowledgeable and really helped me with my fundamentals (not my first time surfing). The manager, Haudy, made the entire stay super easy and even went out of her way to help me with last minute Covid testing in Sosua. Above and beyond. Also, the food was outstanding. The two women cooking never disappointed and were really sweet. The fish can't be missed.

Swell couldn't' make it any easier. You can go on autopilot, surf, and just enjoy yourself. Town is right down the street with all restaurants and bars. I had maybe a little too much fun Cabarete so be prepared.

I couldn't recommend this place any more. Didn't want to leave.

I had an amazing trip to Cabarete thanks to Swell! I was extremely nervous doing my first solo trip internationally as a female - especially during the pandemic. Clare, the owner of Swell, took the time to answer all of my questions leading up to my trip, and provided me with very informative and helpful information for planning my trip logistics. Once I arrived in Cabarete, I felt so safe and taken care of by Swell! Haudy, the manager on site, is amazing and she is available to you with any questions or logistics planning you may need during your trip. The surfing instructors I had that week - Neno, Henry, and Daniele - were very professional, experienced, and friendly instructors. Safety was their top priority. They were very patient, taking the time with each person to make sure they were excelling at their own pace all week. I progressed my beginner surfing capabilities so much thanks to them! They were truly a pleasure to hang out with, and made everyone feel welcome and included. I also did kiteboarding lessons with LEK kiteboarding while at Swell which was another great experience. The food and accommodations at Swell were great. I stayed in one of the private rooms - it was spacious, cleaned daily, and the beds were very comfortable which was important for how much physical activity I was doing each day. The breakfasts and dinners are beautifully prepared, healthy, tasty, and all local dishes. The cooks were so friendly and would make adjustments for your needs. Being a directionally challenged person, Swell's location made it easy to access everything you needed within walking distance - from Cabarete beach, restaurants, bars, shops, etc. Thank you to everyone at Swell that made this an incredible experience! I look forward to going back someday soon!

Claire, Haudy, and the team have created a wonderful surf/kiteboard camp experience - and I mean "wonderful" in every way possible.

Haudy, as the onsite host, was amazing and so wonderful to deal with. The cooks were so friendly and good at what they do. The instructors were great and so much fun (see pic below).

All of us staying at Swell got along so well. We hung out every day. Many new friendships made. I was a solo traveler (as were many) - yet I never felt that way.

The trip was Thanksgiving 2021.

The Swell "surf house" was cool in that the main floor has minimal walls for a very open feeling. The guest rooms are all on the 2nd floor. It's 2 blocks from the main Cabarete beach where there's kiteboarding, bodysurfing, and many open-air options for food and drinks. The surfing beach is nearby with the waves that make Cabarete famous.

Thank you for the wonderful vacation!

John

This review is long overdue, but a testament to how much this establishment deserves the merit. I stayed at Swell in July 2021 and had the most incredible experience! From booking your experience with the owner to arriving and being greeted by the warmest host to practicing how to surf with some of the greatest instructors I've ever met, to eating freshly cooked meals, to making friends that will keep in touch for a lifetime. Truly, this was a stay that I will remember forever. I have been surfing for a few years now, but would still consider myself a beginner - intermediate level. The techniques I have learned in Cabarete, have definitely brought me to the intermediate level and I still use as a winter surfer in New York City! If you are having any doubts, please shoo them away as you would be missing out if you didn't experience Swell in all its glory. This summer I look forward to visiting Swell Bali!

I wouldn’t recommend the camp if you have never surfed before. There isn’t much to do nearby in terms of sightseeing. The beach isn’t as nice comparing to other Caribbean destinations. The food outside of Swell was the worst comparing to other places I have been. If you haven’t surfed before and in case that you don’t like it, you are pretty much stuck and don’t have much else to do. I would recommend go to a country with other things to do and try surfing for a day or two first. If you like it, then come here.

The staffs at the camp were fantastic. Haudy is probably the best manager I have ever met. She thought about everything I need and organize it for me. The cooks at the camp make delicious food. The security guards are very nice and friendly. The surf coach Neno is great at his job.

I drop another star because of the email communication with Clare. She seems impatient over our email correspondence. At the beginning, I thought it was because of language barriers, sometimes people appear harsh. Upon learning that she is actually English, I decide to drop a star. But once you are at the camp, Haudy will be your point of contact. She is very nice and friendly.

Update: Clare, my review has nothing to do not getting a refund. It has more to do with the tone in your correspondence. I even told you in my first email verbatim that “I’m wondering if a refund is possible” and “it is totally fine that’s not possible”. Now I look at other reviews on the site. Every single when one is negative, you seem to make it an issue of something else and blame it on the reviewer. Perhaps this helps others to see my frustration with communicating with Clare.

This place is awesome! Clean rooms, great vibe, WONDERFUL FOOD, and great instructors. I spent a week at Swell in December 2021, and can't say enough good things about it. I didn't make as much headway learning to surf as I had hoped, but the instructors were great and I'd love to go back and make more progress with them.