Police Station (Cabarete)
- Wave, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Kitesurfers can expect side-on trade winds around the East, with choppy water close to the beach and more structured wave conditions over the reef farther out. In winter, reports indicate bigger waves at the reef. For surfing, the reef break works best early before midday trade winds strengthen and begin to blow the waves out; the break can hold size but may become heavy and close out on larger sets. The key safety concern is the reef: it can be shallow and sharper at low tide, so fin/reef awareness and careful navigation are essential.
- 18–22 knot typical kite wind from the East
- Reef break further out provides wave faces
- Less crowded compared with the main bay
- Reliable East trade winds with a strong afternoon reinforcement in summer
- Crystal-clear water and consistently interesting reef-break conditions
- Generally less crowded than the main bay
- Reef and shallow coral sections can be hazardous at low tide
- Choppy conditions near shore and possible strong currents/downwind drift
- Wind can blow waves out by midday (surf conditions vary)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Wind Range
- 18–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — East-to-(east)Northeast trade winds
- Reliability
- Very high during the summer season; reported reliability after 1pm (Dec–Aug).
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand at the beach/launch area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves; can get quite big in winter at the reef.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy water near shore.
- Launch
- Small — Easy self-launch from a sandy beach; narrower sandy area with palm trees/buildings close to shore.
Through the year
Generally less crowded than Kite Beach or Bozo Beach.
October to December typically sees more rainfall; rainy/storm season runs May–October (peak hurricane risk reported for August–October).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Consistent East-side-on trade winds with 18–22 knot typical range. Choppy water near shore with a reef breaking further out; winter can bring bigger waves.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–14 m²
Excellent wave riding for windsurfers, though the launch can be more technical than in the main bay.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Outer reef offers rolling swells; shallow reef requires careful navigation during low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m on the reef at low tide
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Reef break with medium waves; can get bigger in winter. Works better in the early mornings before the trade winds kick in.
- Optimal Swell
- NE
- Swell Height
- 2–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reef break environment; some protection from the immediate shoreline but exposed to prevailing winds.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-onshore trade winds can blow waves out by midday.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but can become heavy and close out on larger swell; gets bigger in winter.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Moderate ride length; not long.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium, with moderate ride lengths.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Police Station (Cabarete) in the full forecast view.
Police Station (Cabarete) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- ESE108°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Police Station (Cabarete) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Shallow reef at low tide (watch your fins)
- Sharp coral / shallow coral reef in sections
- Moderate chop
- Strong currents and downwind drift
- Reef offshore
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Cabarete town has medical clinics; nearest hospital in Puerto Plata. Emergency number: 911.
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way rules apply; wave riders on the wave have priority. Standard kitesurf etiquette applies.
- The reef can be shallow at low tide—watch your fins.
- Avoid the shallowest sections of the reef during dead low tide.
- Expect reef breaks further out in winter.
- The spot is upwind from Kite Beach, making it a safe starting point for a downwind run.
- Generally less crowded than the main bay.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto Plata
- Nearest Town
- Cabarete
- Nearest Airport
- Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP)
- Parking
- Limited parking available along the main road or in nearby public lots; Cabarete town parking with a walk to the spot.
- Public Transport
- Served by local minibuses ('guaguas') and 'carros públicos' along the main highway between spots.
- Access
- Public access via the beach near the local police station building.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, apartments, and guest houses within walking distance along Cabarete Bay.
- Food & Drink
- Food is available on-site; multiple beach bars and restaurants nearby toward Kite Beach and the main bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at nearby areas (including Kite Beach and Cabarete Bay).
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in the Cabarete area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Police Station (Cabarete)?
The best overall months at Police Station (Cabarete) are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Police Station (Cabarete)?
Police Station (Cabarete) works with E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Police Station (Cabarete)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Police Station (Cabarete): Kitesurfing: 12–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 18–22 kts.
What skill level is Police Station (Cabarete) suitable for?
Police Station (Cabarete) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.