Caribbean Surf & Yoga Retreat for Adults: Learn to Surf in Cabarete

A typical day starts early, because the surf is best at first light. You're at Playa Encuentro for the morning session — structured coaching in a small group, with the instructor in the water next to you and the head surf coach watching from the shallows, calling out adjustments between waves. Back at the retreat, breakfast is a proper one: omelets, pancakes, crepes, fresh-squeezed orange juice and fruit bowls. Then there's time to swim in the freshwater pool, read in the palm-shaded garden, or head into Cabarete.

The second surf session comes later in the day. Coaching adapts to your level — if you've never stood on a board, you'll start with the basics; if you've surfed a few times, you'll work on what's actually holding you back. Yoga runs alongside the surf programme, mostly longer holds and stretches, which makes sense after two sessions in the water. When the review mentioned it, they said it was "great after 2 sessions of surfing."

The rooms are a step up from a standard surf camp. Each is private and air-conditioned with an ensuite shower and WC, a California king bed (2m x 2m) or twin beds if you're travelling with someone, a ceiling fan and 100% cotton sheets. At the centre of the place is an open living room with free WiFi, sofas, a pool table and a long dining table where everyone eats together. Outside, the pool sits in a tropical garden with loungers for the downtime between sessions.

Most guests arrive on their own — about 65% — and the social side is the thing that comes up again and again in reviews. You surf, eat breakfast and dinner together, so it's easy to meet people from all over. That said, it works just as well for couples and small groups. The crowd skews 30 to 65, with plenty of people standing on a surfboard for the first time in their forties or fifties.

The retreat is in Cabarete on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, a 25-minute drive from Puerto Plata airport (POP), which has nonstop flights from Miami, New York, Boston and Toronto. Pick-up from POP is included; Santiago (STI, about 1h 20m) and Santo Domingo (SDQ, about 3h 35m) are the other two international airports and transfers can be arranged for a cost. There's no need for a car once you're here — restaurants and shops are a short walk away.

What's included

- Accommodation in private air-conditioned ensuite rooms (California king or twin beds) - Breakfast daily (omelets, pancakes, crepes, fresh orange juice, fruit bowls) - 3 dinners per week at the communal table - Two structured surf sessions per day with coaching - All surf equipment - Yoga sessions - Airport transfer from Puerto Plata (POP) - Freshwater pool and garden with loungers - Communal living room with WiFi and pool table - 24/7 staff on site

What's not included

- International flights - Lunch (restaurants 50–150m away, $5–5 USD typical) - Drinks - Day trips and excursions - Transfers from Santiago (STI) or Santo Domingo (SDQ) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Spa treatments