• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Kite-boarding   (Photo: Courtesy Laurel Eastman)

The western part of Cabarete Bay, from Bozo to Kite Beach, is kite-surfing territory. Since this side of the bay is largely outside the “wind shadow” of the village, it gets big gusts, strong enough to send even novice boarders flying out of the shallows. Among the many kite-boarding schools along this stretch, Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding gets consistent raves from return visitors. While Eastman — a women's kite-boarding champion in 2002 — teaches advanced classes in jumps, board rotations, and aerial spins, her instructors also teach four-day beginner clinics (starting at $410) and two-hour crash courses ($110, $130 for a private lesson).

The offshore reef and Trade Winds along the eastern sweep of the bay make for choppy surf — great for windsurfing, especially after midday (mornings are calmer and better for beginners and kids). Carib Wind is the most respected windsurfing center here, offering all-inclusive, multiday instructional packages (starting at $60 per day, including equipment) and top-of-the line rental boards. (You can even hire out Bic Formula Racing rigs, provided you know how to handle them.)

Just north of Cabarete is Sosua Bay, a spectacular diving and snorkeling site where octopuses, lion fish, and even whale sharks are often seen. Advanced divers shouldn’t miss the Airport Wall — an underwater cliff pocked with explorable tunnels. Northern Coast Aqua Sports runs daily trips to the wall from their dive center in Sosua Village ($40 gets you a 45-minute dive, plus all equipment). Beginner dives on shallower reefs are also available.

Published on Dec 18, 2007 as a web exclusive.