Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Water Sports
If it involves standing on a board, the Dominican Republic's got it in spades - you'll find
world-class kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and wakeboarding. The undisputed water-
sports capital of the DR is Cabarete on the north coast, and Las Terrenas on the Península
de Samaná is the runner-up, but the adventurous can find a few other more-isolated spots as
well.
BEHOLD LEVIATHAN
Between mid-January and mid-March more than 80% of the reproductively active humpback whales in
the North Atlantic - some 10,000 to 12,000 in all - migrate to the waters around the Península de
Samaná to mate. The Bahía de Samaná is a favorite haunt of the whales, and one of the best places in
the world to observe these massive, curious creatures. Most tours depart from the town of Samaná, and
you are all but guaranteed to see numerous whales surfacing for air, lifting their fins or tail, jostling
each other in competition, and even breaching - impressive jumps followed by an equally impressive
splash. Whale-watching season coincides with Carnaval (every weekend in February) and Independen-
ce Day (February 27) - major holidays here - so you should make reservations well in advance.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing (also known as kiteboarding) involves strapping a board to your feet and a
powerful kite to your torso, which propels you through the waves at sometimes breakneck
speeds. The learning curve to get good enough to enjoy it - not to mention learning the
lingo for tricks like 'kitelooping' and 'back-side handle passes' - is steep. On average, it
takes a week's worth of lessons to go out solo, and months of practice to get competent. It's
also expensive - to make this a regular hobby, you'll end up spending a few thousand dol-
lars on lessons and gear. No wonder, then, around 90% of wannabes who try it out don't
generally advance to become regular kitesurfers.
That said, if you've got the time and the money, and you relish a challenge, the DR is
one of the world's leading kitesurfing destinations - so much so that the International Kite-
boarding Organization (
Click here
)
has its headquarters in Cabarete. Plenty of kitesurfing
schools offer instruction in Cabarete or Las Terrenas in Samaná (the wind is lighter and wa-
ter shallower here); Puerto Plata is another excellent spot to learn the sport. Most people
need a minimum of four days of lessons at a cost of around US$350 to US$450. Schools
