Best Surf shops in Dominican Republic

This review is long overdue as my bf and I were there a year ago during renovations and just after the change in ownership. We both took lessons (varying beginner levels) and each of us had excellent experiences with our instructors. Unfortunately a (rare!) lack of wind shortened our kite surfing fun.

We also met the current and former owners who were all awesome, professional and engaged!

I can’t speak to the restaurant as it wasn’t open due to renovations but I highly recommend Kite club for (beginner) lessons, the vibe, and the beach!

Netter Platz, für Sport begeisterte Personen. Was das mit verwehren des Zugangs zum Strand betrifft, kann ich nicht bestätigen. Man bekommt ja keinen Stempel mit " Du bist unserer Kunde oder nicht. Das ist Blödsinn. Den Mann kann auch essen oder trinken hier. Was anderes ist wenn man vermutlich mit Boot oder so daher kommt. Den ist es offensichtlich das man den Eingang missbraucht und den Parkplatz.

Great experience. Damian is a brilliant teacher with the best attitude. Lessons here may be a little more expensive than other schools but well worth it because a) you wont be charged for set-up/take-down which many other schools do and b) Damian and his instructors are top class and you’ll see faster results. Much recommended!

Amazing location directly on kitebeach -watch the ocean while you enjoy great food! Welcoming staff - very good prices! Had the surfer salad with kitchen - awesome !

Great experience, the waves were a little wild but the surf teacher was very patient and took me the next day again so I could really learn. 100% recommend

Thanks to the guys at Pro Kite. From Damien working with our schedule and Luis was amazing in the water and on the beach. I would recommend this team for anything involving lessons or just to supervise you and give you tips. Thanks guys for the great experience

TO BE HONEST DAMIEN!!! My man!!! He is a great teacher. I was able to get up on the board with 3 lessons. Definitely learning how to handle the kite was key. Damien was patient and had so much energy!!!

This place is the spot. Best kite launch spot for pros and beginners, food was super tasty, shop is stocked with top kite and surf gear and cute swimwear. Everything is renovated, updated, super clean and gives a really nice atmosphere to hang out at. Staff is friendly and the instructors are the best. Never missed a day here on my trip. This place is a must for anyone visiting Cabarete.

Amazing service here at Kite Club Cabarete! The kite caddies were very attentive. The launch is tricky in low season (summer) bc of the high tide on the beach. The guys know what they’re doing and make sure you’re safe.the owner is super cool and gave me a great deal on gear in the store. Food is good. I highly recommend if you’re coming into town.

Champion Kite School is perfect for beginners who want to try out a new sport and for intermediate kiters who want to develop their skills. The instructors are methodical and clearly explain the techniques necessary to succeed. The owner is hands on and communicates openly with students about conditions. I highly recommend Champion Kite School. Regardless of your ability level, they are able to help you progress to the next level.

I’ve been going to Champion Kite school for a very long time. Kelvin, who runs the school, and his team originally taught me how to kite board a few years ago and now I am continuing to take lessons with them in order to progress to jumps and simple tricks. They are very knowledgeable, patient and professional and will get you kiting in the shortest period of time so that you can enjoy this growing sport and keep improving faster.

A few firsts for me and my family. We've never been out of the country as a family and my girls(10 years old) have never kited before and they aren't exactly out doorsy ppl.

I booked them lessons for the week we were here and my girls are now officially hooked. They absolutely loved their lessons. Ralpha and Jose, their instructors really created an environment where they felt safe and had a blast learning.

Roberto was incredibly helpful every day helping us coordinate and the entire staff at the kite club was overwhelmingly hospitable. We really felt like we were part of the family there.

Kite club has a unique vibe where you can truly relax, unwind and have a good time right on the beach. Amazing food, fantastic cappuccinos and top notch mojitos.

Oh yeah if you happen to kite, let's just say it's a Mecca there.

I really can't say enough positive things to do it justice, it's an incredible experience you gotta try for yourself. Also special thanks to Doug for giving us great information and tips to really help us get maximum value out of our stay in cabarete.

This is my favorite kite gear store in Cabarete, amazing service, great products and great deals, check out their Instagram cause they always have sales going on. Roberto from their staff was super helpful, and you will
Find everything kite related.

Damien and his team are an absolute delight to learn from! Patient and passionate, I totally recommend him to learn:!) bonus french speaking also! Gave me the perfect foundation to keep going and fall in love with 🪁🪁🪁

This is a brilliantly run school, with both knowledgeable and friendly instructors. Yoel helped me progress from the total beginner stage to being supervised within only a few days time, and I felt safe and happy all along.

Kelvin, the owner of the school, gives time to everyone and is incredibly helpful. I really recommend trying Champion Kite School if you're looking to learn to Cabarete.

Great instructors! After around 11/12 hours I was able to kite after having never done it before.

My instructor Ramon was excellent and I was able to advance very quickly thanks to his teaching. I’m pleasantly surprised that after 4 days I went from 0 to being able to kite on my own.

I definitely recommend this school. Everyone learning was having a blast and I felt that the instructors from this school just had more charisma and showed more professionalism than any of the other schools nearby.

I would not hesitate to book a lesson with these guys.

Kelvin, the owner, is also a great guy and super friendly. He even organised a taxi pickup from the airport for me and he’s super skilled; ex-Olympic champion!

I’m planning to come back to perfect my kiting.

Ty so much to Damien and his team; safety, patience, flexibility and lots of enthusiasm were key elements during the lessons we took! With 2 teenagers and 2 adults we all had different levels and expectations, Damien and his team did an amazing job. Communication ahead of our trip via WhatsApp to book the lessons and once we were there to coordinate all was a breeze. We highly recommend this school as they really stood out in their thoughtfulness of teaching technique and safety.
We will be back!! Ty!

Nice guys, super helpful and supportive. I got unlucky because a storm passed by and the waves were not surfable for beginners for a few days, but they informed us well through Instagram. Had a great time!

Beautiful after renovations. Still my favorite place on earth to go kiting.
Just watch put for the palm trees when launching your kite - you don‘t wanna be that guy decorating the trees.
Oh, and ask for a Joel-special after kiting. It’s delicious (with or without alcohol).

Damien is a great instructor: very patient, clear and supportive. Although the wind conditions weren't perfect for the days in the low season that I was there, he was able to adapt our lessons so that I still made a lot of progress. Cabarete itself is also a great place to learn, even for a beginner like me. I really enjoyed my time learning at Pro Kite and I'm already looking forward to coming back to Cabarete to advance my skills!

This is the place - to hang, to surf from and to take lessons.

Always professional, always a pleasure -

They run Saturday kids camps, they run instructor clinics - everything you could ask for.

Damien is a great instructor. He is patient, attentive, and you feel safe taking lessons from him. I completed the 4 day Riding lessons. It was a great experience and the lessons were paced in a way that you were always ready to take on and apply the new skills. Having a radio with you in the water to hear his coaching was a great tool to be able to execute and tweak the skills and movements you learned to help you master them in the water. I would go back to ProKite for further coaching or equipment rentals.

Optimal kite surfing school in Cabarete has been the best kite surf learning experience. From ownership to the coaches we felt pride in professionalism and care. The location of this school is an added value. It’s located in a quitter bay protected by reef making it less choppy and better area for kite surfing. Elvis was our coach and we high key recommend him. Kevin the owner always took care of us. Try them out your won’t be disappointed

Love this place!! Everyone has great vibes and is super welcoming. I had an amazing lesson with Uynghiem - super thorough covering theory on land, skills in the water and with a debrief after. I got so many tips to practice, really can't recommend enough!! If you're thinking about taking a lesson(s) but aren't sure - don't think just do it! Will definitely be worth your while! :)

During my stay in Cabarete I did a three day beginner course (6 hours) with Damien. I enjoyed every minute of it. After four hours I was able to do some waterstarts and even a small ride (!!) Couldn’t be more happy. Damien is such an enthusiastic and very patient teacher. Very easy to communicate with. He knows exactly what he is doing and is very professional but at the same time always in for a joke and a laugh. Would really recommend to everyone who wants to learn kiteboarding but also wants to have a great day!

I have been renting a board from this place on a long-term basis and never had a problem. Good selection of boards for both beginners and intermediate level surfers. I recommend this place.

If your looking for a perfect location, great teachers and really friendly guys than this school is the right choice. I went there with a friend and we had a blast.
PS: the owners brother is a worldchampion, which gives this school plus points :)

Do not even think to come here!! After rented their board, I just came back there to take my staff and while I was dressing up, they quickly close and left from the beach; when they went, I check my bag and pocket, and it turned out that they have stolen me money from my pocket!!!!!
I couldn’t complain because there were already out of the place.
They said that they will keep safe my staff and then...

What an amazing place to kiteboard and learn as well. Bring a friend to learn while you kite, it's windy season and we will be back! Great Covid-19 protocols and very safe. Instructors speak English and are very patient. You can also rent gear as well.

Kelvin and Optimal kite surf school located at Extreme Hotel offers the best instruction in the area! They will have you up and riding in no time! It’s the perfect location in Cabarete for beginners as well as those who want to advance their skills. I personally took lessons from Kelvin, and I see other happy customers every year when I go there. Enjoy!

Pauhana is a great school! The staff of the school makes you feel at home, everyone is easygoing and welcoming. The school has a beautifull location. And the prices and equipment are good. I enjoyed my time here and would love to go back one day!

Best place to rent a board, surf shirt and water shoes and buy a lesson. I was definitely not able to call myself a surfer when I first arrived but the very best surfers teach at this school. To get Beginners like me, up on a board on one of the first tries, it's pretty amazing. They teach the core principles which one needs to know to surf and impart wholesome and good natured common sense wisdom at the same time. They assist and build confidence and every one of them are super people. I come from a family of educators and these instructors rank very high on my scale of professionalism. That shows even more when you see them teaching your kids. It's one big family and after a bit, I now consider myself part of it. My name is Scott and I AM A SURFER!