Guide to Surfing Playa Encuentro, Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)

#playaencuentro #surfdominicanrepublic #surfguide
After 3 months of surfing at Playa Encuentro, I wanted to make a guide, or surf spot summary, of possibly the most consistent surf beach in the Dominican Republic.
There are multiple waves here, primarily The Left, Main Peaks, Bobo's and Coco Pipe. However, there are lots of waves within 10 minutes drives including El Canal, The Spot (near Perla Marina) and Mañanero (near Cabarete).
A few tips:
1) The surf forecasts here are often wrong, whether you use Magic Seaweed, Surfline or Surf Forecast. There is a webcam that you can see on Surfline but the only real way to know what the waves are like is going to the beach and checking them. As such, if you're going to Playa Encuentro to surf, it's probably best to stay in Playa Encuentro.
2) Surf as early as possible. The wind tends to pick up after 9.30/10am and the waves get blown out. Sunrise is around 6.45am and it's often glassy in the morning. I only had a handful of sunset sessions in 3 months.
3) There's a wide variety of waves at Encuentro, although most of the time I ended up surfing Coco Pipe or the right that peels off the main peak. The Left needs a North Swell to work but is great when it is working. I never tried to surf Destroyers which is right next to The Left but I've heard it is good (but treacherous).
4) The reef has a lot of sea urchins so bring tweezers and some pins, you'll thank me if you happen to step on any urchins! Or bring some reef boots although very people surfed in them.
5) If possible, hire a car or get a motorbike to explore the various waves in the area.
6) There are a number of surf schools at Playa Encuentro and you can leave your board(s) at Buena Onda (with Antonio/Fabio) for $35 dollars a month.
7) When it's good, it's really good. However, most of the time the waves can be pretty fat so if you have a small wave board I would advise bringing it.
8) North Swells tend to produce the best waves, but can often come with a lot of wind.
9) The waves tend to be the best at mid-tide.
If you are into surfing and kite surfing/windsurfing, this is the spot for you. The water is crystal clear. You can surf at Playa Encuentro in the morning and then kite/windsurf in the afternoon at Kite Beach (5 minute drive) when the wind picks up.
I really enjoyed my time in the Dominican Republic - it's a beautiful place and hopefully it's useful for anyone looking to surf on the North Coast, specifically Playa Encuentro!
- GoPro Hero 9 Black (with media mod)
- Mavic Mini Drone
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:08 - Staying in Playa Encuentro vs Cabarete
2:36 - When to surf
3:25 - GoPro surf footage
3:56 - Buena Onda Surf School & Cafe
4:07 - Guide to waves in Playa Encuentro
5:00 - Surfing Coco Pipe
5:19 - 4K Drone of Coco Pipe Surf
5:40 - Surf Spot Overview
5:50 - The reef and sea urchins
6:22 - Swell Direction
6:37 - Learning to surf in Playa Encuentro
7:01 - Getting around the area
7:45 - Review of Playa Encuentro

[@Bimp_Lizkit]

The most honest review of surfing the DR I have ever seen. Spot-on. Great place but it has it's shortcomings. Well done!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Ian Arcuri - well that's what I aim to do so I'm glad to hear you thought it was honest. I agree, it has a lot going for it but there are drawbacks. Spent 3 months in Sri Lanka this year and the surf was pretty similar. All depends on the type of surf that you're looking for I guess!

[@surferrobo]

I have a beach side condo a few miles down the beach from Encuentro. This is a pretty accurate review of this surf area. However, over the span of ten winter seasons living here, when the north swell rules....I find I've gotten plenty of waves....very very fast walls and excellent tube sections. However, as this review mentions...beating the crowds means you must become a member of the dawn patrol... with very early morning paddle outs just as the sun begins to rise...usually leaving the condo in the dark. But this routine is well worth getting a full session of waves in with just a few locals to share it all with. By the time we've had our two hours in the water...the wind is already beginning to pick up. It usually blows out by ten or 11 am. Plus... after your dawn patrol session you have a full day ahead to do with as you please.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@surferrobo - glad you agree. The one thing that held me back was not having my own transport to explore other places for Dawn! But yep, paddling out at first light is definitely the one.....not just in Encuentro either. Currently in Sri Lanka and if you get out for first light you tend to have 45 minutes with just a couple of other froth dogs 🐕

[@alenomadedigitale]

Great video, super informative and well organized!

[@carryontravel]

I wish I knew what time of year you were there 😊. I'm going in a few days, but this is going to be much better than surfing the Great Lakes here in Ontario 😅. Great drone footage 😊

[@WEEBER13]

Or, Ohio. ;-)

[@berenicebatista6678]

Mi país es el mejor, tam bello y tiene de todo 🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴 .

[@ImranD1988]

Thx fo the video

[@WiththeSparrows]

@ImranD1988 - no worries

[@ryanmascolo3262]

Wish I watched this before I came. Currently in Playa Encuentro now and have only had one good day. The forecast is looking like shit for the next 2 weeks

[@lucydiamond574]

Hey awesome video thanks. Are there any places you recommend to stay or surf schools you recommend in DR?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Lucy Diamond - I stayed at a place called i if you're talking about Encuentro......Surfbreak but if you want something a bit higher end, the Surf Lodge is nice (imaginative names I know!). The surf school that I showed in the video (ask for Antonio or Paulo) is good so you can check that out.....maybe buy your own reef boots before you get there though because they'll be nicer than the ones supplied!

[@nasrinehmeh3779]

hey man! really nice video, is January a good month for surfing? is it still windy that month?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@nasri nehme - thanks man. I was there December to March so yes, January is one of the better months to surf in Cabarete. It was windy past 9am almost everyday I was there so you have to get up early!

[@ericfischer5444]

Really enjoyed the video! I'm headed there for 2 months...would like to rent a quad with board racks!...have you seen something like that there? Also....where do you put your "stuff" when you go out? In Costa Rica it was a real problem so I made sure I could walk to the beach with just my board! Thanks

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Eric Fischer - I hope you score! Didn't see many quads with surf racks unfortunately, it was one of the issues I experienced with trying to get around to other surf breaks! If you're surfing Playa Encuentro, just leave your stuff with Antonio they have a surf shop there and everyone just leaves there stuff with them. Didn't hear of anything going missing in the 3 months I was there.

[@anabelkisamadordedonde3802]

😍😍

[@justjackman]

Thanks for the video dude. How risky is a short (say 10 day) holiday? It sounds likely that there could be no waves at all :(

[@WiththeSparrows]

@justjackman - It depends when you go....and how far you have to travel to get to Encuentro. I was discussing this with the people I was there with just last week. We were thinking of a 2 week trip back to Playa Encuentro and decided against it because you might not get any good surf (which you would get in other places.....we ended up going to South Africa). If you go for 10 days in the Winter I'd say you'll still get surf. You can definitely surf most days, it's just that you can only surf in the morning and the conditions are rarely incredible. So wave size and power wise it's average. Crystal Clear, warm water and relaxing place wise, it's real good. What are your other options? Central America?

[@julianmessina1969]

Hey brother, use vinegar to dissolve urchin spines. Works for me.

[@ValentinoLuggen]

When did you stay there? In the windy season or is march/april windy already?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Valentino Luggen - December to early March. I think by April it's windy (though it was windy most days I was there)

[@eddybobea6709]

Next time is you may, you can try the South breaks for the sunset session, "Nizao" or la "la boya" (the buoy)... Its the sea swell...

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Eddy Bobea - that's what I've heard. When I looked it up (before I went to DR) there wasn't much on the South Coast breaks but there's been a few people commenting that the South has some amazing waves.

[@reidpettersen5987]

Also, did you notice that the winds did not die down for sunset sessions? I have read that it is common to get sunset sessions but am curious what your thoughts are on it? How long would the winds last?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Reid Pettersen - I also read (and heard) that the wind dies down for sunset sessions. I was there for 3 months and managed to get only one proper sunset session. I also missed a couple, but from my experience (during December - March) the wind really didn't die down at in the evening. Sorry if I'm the bearer of bad news!

[@jeremydelrosario04]

🇩🇴🦋✨

[@JL-rd5ue]

🌊🏄🏻‍♂️🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@ryderrees740]

awesome feedback thanks - I'm trying to plan a end of November 5 day trip with kids 17 y/o and 14 y/o avid Florida surfers. However, my caution is it's just us mom and 2 teenagers so naturally safety is my main concern and would I be comfortable letting them loose _i'd be on shore but still reefs and local friendliness. Plus traveling different surf spots to give them good waves - not opposed to a guide or someone they can shadow whether it is a surf school or local - if you don't mind what did you do the rest of your time there - touristy stuff or hiking again things that are friendly for mom and 2 teens. We did Aguadilla PR 2 years ago and that is the bar they are setting for me to beat lol I naturally want to visit some place else within budget. Thanks again I apologize for the loaded reply.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Ryder Rees - I don't think the reef is a major concern if they are teenage surfers (though don't hold me to that!), I guess its part and parcel of surfing. I didn't have any major run ins with the reef for 3 months so it's not like Indonesia. The current/rips also aren't particular crazy so hopefully they are fine. In terms of other trips, I would check out my video on our weekend trip to Las Terrenas. I really enjoyed that weekend and there's loads to do in that part of the island. You could also do a day trip to Cayo Arena and there are a number of hikes in the hills close to Encuentro which are a few hours (you can do it without a guide, though you may want one). Hope that helps!@

[@J.Paul2023]

I don't see any lifeguards there what happens if you get hurt?

[@scratzch]

Do people foil surf encuentro? I've heard 'outers' is the spot?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Greg Sturch - I'm sure they do but can't say I saw any when I was there. Sorry I can't be of more help!

[@christians9158]

Its possible to surf in august ?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Christian S - I mean it's out of season so whilst you might be able to surf, it won't be as consistent (it wasn't that consistent in the season) so it's risky.

[@reidpettersen5987]

When you say buy a motorbike and sell it back... Could you do that with a local company?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Reid Pettersen - the people that I knew that did it usually just found someone who wanted to sell a bike, i.e not through a company. Obviously that comes with a higher level of risk and one guy did have to do some remedial work but it was still way cheaper for him.

[@carmenjed8020]

Where was the place you stayed at?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Carmen Jed - at a place called Surfbreak Cabarete. There are lots of other places but obviously they come with varying prices.

[@erdemulubas]

Is it a wood board????

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Erdem Ulubaş it's has a wooden outside but epoxy inside. Firewire used to make them, not sure if they still do.

[@erdemulubas]

@@WiththeSparrows looks so cool like a chieftain board in ancient hawaii 😅

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@erdemulubas it is certainly a head turner, although it's not great for punchier waves unfortunately. More of a groveller.

[@jancleland6587]

what airport do you fly into

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Jan Cleland the closest airport to Encuentro/Cabarete is Puerto Plata (30 minutes away). However, my flight was much cheaper and faster to Santo Domingo. Its then a 4 or 5 hour drive to Playa Encuentro.

[@mikel87]

U should have rented a moto i rent for 10 bucks a day in cabarete

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Mike L - yeah I figure I made a bit of a mistake there!

[@FluffyAlpaca81]

Nice review. Looks too windy

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Y L - depends what you want but yes, the wind is relentless.

[@patriciayudelkasilveriojim2585]

Por favor

[@joselorenzofermin3567]

Seems a bit unfair, since the three month you spent in Encuentro where in summer, season has just began and we already had 1 month of excellent head high, " sometimes bigger" swells. Winter is our surf season and if people come here in winter its impossible not to have excellent waves conditions.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Jose Lorenzo Fermin - no that was last year so I was there in the Winter (December to March). Maybe I was just unlucky!