Cabarete Kiteboarding Club has been teaching kiteboarding lessons in Cabarete since the Dominican Republic’s north coast became one of the best-known kitesurfing meccas in the Caribbean. Our club sits right on Kite Beach, in the town of Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The trade winds blow consistently here all year, and once you’ve spent a few sessions on this water, it’s not hard to understand why riders keep coming back.
At a glance:
- We are an IKO-certified kite school on Kite Beach, Cabarete
- Kiteboarding lessons for all levels, from first-timers to advanced riders, private 1:1 or group lessons up to 1:4
- Wing courses and wing rental are also available
- IKO certification issued on completion of courses
- Equipment: RRD kites, boards, and full rental fleet on-site
- Wind: consistent trade winds year-round, suitable for beginners and advanced riders
- Excursions available: La Boca downwind (8 km), Encuentro Beach downwind (6 km), and more
- Surf lessons are also offered at the club
About our spot at Cabarete
Cabarete is one of the original kiteboarding destinations in the world, and Kite Beach is where it all happens. The beach runs east to west, and the trade winds come in from the side, running roughly parallel to shore. That setup is about as beginner-friendly as a kite spot gets. New riders have plenty of room to work with, and there is flat water close in. Further out, the chop builds a little for those who want something with more kick.
The water is warm year-round, which means you won’t need much more than a shorty or a rashie for most sessions. The sandy bottom gives you plenty of confidence to stand up in the shallows when you’re still finding your feet.
Our kiteboarding season in Cabarete
Wind here doesn’t really have an off-season. The trade winds blow all year, with the most reliable and strongest winds running from roughly June through September. That said, every month brings rideable conditions, and it’s why Cabarete has built the reputation it has over decades. Beginners come all year knowing they’ll get on the water. Experienced riders come for the stronger summer trades.
Water temperature stays warm throughout the year, sitting in the high 20s Celsius for most of it.
Kiteboarding lessons we provide
We run kiteboarding lessons from one hour through to a full 12-hour independent course, structured around the IKO curriculum. You can work through the programme in a single trip or come back and pick up where you left off. The IKO framework keeps your progress documented.
The early hours cover wind theory, safety systems, and equipment setup on the beach. From there you get into flying a trainer kite, then a full de-power kite in the water, body dragging in both directions, and eventually water start and riding. The full independent course takes you through to consistent upwind riding, direction changes, and the basics of jumping safely.
Group sizes go up to four students per instructor, with private 1:1 lessons also available. Smaller groups move faster. If you want to get on the board in the shortest time, a private or 1:2 lesson is the way to do it.
We also run wing courses for riders wanting to get into wingfoiling, with wing rental available directly at the club.
The crew
Our instructors are licensed IKO professionals. The club was founded by Matteo Gatti, who put together a programme built around getting people on the water safely and efficiently, whatever their starting level. The team speaks several languages.
Our equipment
Lessons and rentals are run on RRD kites, boards, and twintips. The full rental fleet lives on-site, so there’s no need to travel with your own gear. You can rent a complete quiver by the day and spend the whole trip on current kit.
No-wind activities
On lighter days, the club organises excursions to keep things moving. The La Boca downwind runs 8 km along the river Jaisica, flat water the whole way, with an instructor along for the ride. The Encuentro Beach downwind covers 6 km, finishing at a beach that’s famous for surf in the mornings and turns into a solid kite spot in the afternoon. Longer trips include Buen Hombre, a flat, shallow lagoon close to the Haitian border, a full overnight excursion with accommodation and food included.
For those wanting something completely off the water, the club also runs buggy tours, horse riding through sugarcane fields, the 27 Waterfalls near Puerto Plata, catamaran trips, and deep-sea fishing charters. There is no shortage of things to do around Cabarete between sessions.
