The surfing on Playa Encuentro is some of the best on the island. Although kitesurfing has stolen the global spotlight, good old retro surfing is making a big comeback in Cabarete. Reef breaks include Coco Pipe, Encuentro, and The Destroyer. Surfboard rental is quite inexpensive compared to wind- and kitesurfing. Board rental is typically around US$15 for a half day. Beginners and experienced surfers alike might enjoy the surf camps that some outfitters offer. A five-day camp can cost US$150.

Surfing outfitters

No Work Team (Calle Principal, tel. 809/571-0820, www.noworkteamcabarete.com) offers a mini course where you’ll learn about the sport and how to handle the equipment, paddle across waves, and catch them (US$40/day, includes board rental). Perhaps the best deal is the US$210 saver for five days of lessons and two days of rental (one week total). Get a ride from Cabarete to Encuentro and back on the No Work Team shuttle for US$5. Rides run every day at 6:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. and take you back to Cabarete at 8:15 p.m.

Take Off (Playa Encuentro, tel. 809/963-7873, www.321takeoff.com) is another outfitter right at the beach.

Cabarete Surf Camp (Calle Bahia 11, Playa Encuentro, office hours 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., tel. 809/571-0733, www.cabaretesurfcamp.com) belongs to the hotel of the same name. The surf camp offers to teach students of the ocean to evaluate the sea and wave conditions, body position and paddling, wave selection, and, of course, the rules of riding the waves. The intensive surf course includes daily transport to beach, surf lessons, board rental, leash, wax, and even sunblock for one week (US$299). If you don’t need the lessons then you’ll pay only US$140 a week. Only need the ride to the beach? Pay only US$35 for the week. Packages exist for accommodations and surfing.