Cabarete
Cabarete, famous for world class windsurfing, is 14 km east of Sosúa. Although it has grown considerably since French Canadian windsurfers first staked their claim on this small fishing village it still maintains its small town character. Besides windsurfing Cabarete offers a variety of adventure sports: mountain biking, horse riding, whitewater rafting and scuba diving.
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It is the windsurf capital of the world, having hosted the World Windsurf Championship. International competitions are held annually in June, Conditions vary according to season: in summer there are constant trade winds but few waves, in winter there are days with no wind, but when it comes the waves are tremendous. Boards rent for US$50 per day, US$200 per week, with variations, make sure insurance is available.
Highly recommended is the Carib Bic Center, T5710640, F5710649,It has excellent windsurfing gear for rent, with professional and experienced instructors.It also has the nicest surf shop in town and a great bar and grill. In addition to their beginner to expert equipment they also rent kayaks, boogie boards, surfboards, hobiecats and snorkelling gear.
Other windsurfing schools include Vela/Spin Out, T5710805; Club Nathalie Simon (French speaking), T5710848; Happy (German and English speaking), T5710784; Club Mistral, T5710770 and Kitesurf School, (contact Stephan Rutter at Residencia Dominicana, T5710890). Scuba diving is popular and there are many dive schools in the area. Northern Coast Diving in Sosúa covers the Cabarete area; also Dolphin Dive, T5710842 and Caribbean Divers, T5710218.
There are many kilometres of white sand beach lined with coconut palms and a lagoon with many waterbirds. There are caves in the area, believed to be five million years old, which you can visit. They are administered by Harvey Andrews, a Canadian, entrance US$15, plus US$2 for the DNP. On the outskirts of town is El Encuentro, a surfing beach, with a consistent ‘break’ off the right and left. Surf & Sport surfing school, run by long time local surfer, Markus Bohm, offers daily lessons, US$25, for all ages and levels, T5710463. Cabarete hosts an international sand castle competition every February, when visitors construct fantastic mermaids, flowers, fruit and even the Titanic. A French team won in 2000.
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