Encuentro Beach, Dominican Republic, Surfing beach in Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Encuentro Beach is a surfing strand along the northern coast of Cabarete with five different reef breaks that create waves year-round. The cove offers varying water depths and bottom types that attract both beginners and experienced surfers.

The beach was discovered by international surfers in the 1980s and quickly developed into a known destination in the Caribbean. Since then surfers from many countries have settled here and built a thriving infrastructure.

The breaks carry names used by local surfers: La Derecha ("the right"), La Izquierda ("the left") and Coco Pipe, the fast left over a shallow reef. Each year the beach hosts surf contests; the 2002 OP Latin Pro brought together over 100 professional surfers from Latin America in five categories, and the Master of the Ocean triathlon holds its surfing leg here.

The beach has multiple schools where you can rent surfboards or take lessons, and the best waves usually appear in the morning. Conditions are most favorable from November through April, but you should arrive early to catch the calmest conditions.

The central beach break between the left and right breaks is the safest for beginners because a wipe-out carries the lowest injury risk. The right wave breaks into a small bay, producing a longer ride, and is the one used in competitions. The left wave is also called Coco Pipe.