Sixteenbreaks,westtoeast
From the big-wave right off Puerto Plata to the long rights of El Barco: every break we have surfed on the north coast, rated and placed on the map.
Ninety kilometres of coast, one coast road, and a line-up for every level. The north coast works like this: north swells arrive with the winter fronts from November to March and light up everything on this page; from April the swell drops, the trade wind strengthens, and the year-round peaks at Encuentro carry the surfing until autumn.
Below the map, every break is listed with the two numbers we care about most — how good the wave is on its day, and how often that day comes round. Read both before you plan a trip around a single spot.
Ninety kilometres of reef, rivermouth and beach
The list, west to east
West of Sosúa
Puerto Plata to Sea Horse RanchBig-wave right-hander off Puerto Plata. Bring a big board.
Only good in solid winter swells or hurricane season.Right-handers over shallow, sharp reef with urchins. Paddle out from Sosúa beach.
Only on a sizeable north swell in winter or hurricane season.Left-hander next to Sea Horse Ranch. A difficult, lengthy walk in.
Best on north swells in winter.Playa Encuentro
Six peaks along one bay, ten minutes west of townHeavy left; bodyboarders and kamikaze surfers only. Park at Encuentro and walk west.
Winter north swell.The Left: barrels and fun rippable walls.
Best in winter with a northerly swell.The Right: Encuentro’s point break.
Breaks year round.Mellow white water, ideal for a first wave. 5/5 for beginners, 1/5 for good surfers.
Works year round, every morning.Fun, rippable lefts and rights.
Year round.Fast and hollow rights with some short lefts.
Needs a north swell.Cabarete bay
The breaks you can walk toRights and lefts over sharp, shallow reef. Easily blown out, so get there early.
Winter north swell.Offshore reef, long paddle. Better for foiling or SUP.
Needs a very glassy day to work.Punchy, at times barreling beach break. Use caution leaving things on the beach.
Early morning only, before the wind.Río San Juan and the east
An hour along the coast roadMediocre right-handers and questionable water quality.
On a north swell.Short, punchy and at times barreling lefts and rights on a long golden beach.
Winter north swell.Lefts and rights in a stunning setting. The left is better than the right.
Winter north swell.Long right-hander; the headland blocks some of the trade wind.
Needs a solid, straight north swell.What the two numbers mean
How good is it on its day?
Five means a wave we would fly for. Three is a wave you will enjoy if you are already here. One or two is a wave we list so you know it exists.
How often does that day come?
Five breaks almost every day of the year. One or two needs a particular swell, a particular wind and a bit of luck — Sosúa Bay and La Puntilla are winter-only, hurricane-season waves.
Who is it for?
Badges are the lowest level we would put in the water there. "Beginner" means a school will take you; "Advanced" means shallow reef, size, or both.
Most of the west-side breaks are over sharp, shallow coral: booties for Sosúa Bay and Kite Beach, and go before eleven when the trade wind arrives and blows out everything facing it.