Surf Forecasts:
Cabarete surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, E swell with 186 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cabarete this week:
The surf forecast for Cabarete over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cabarete in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cabarete over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’m gonna be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch for Cabarete. We’re looking at a solid 16-day run with not one single session that’s worth paddling out for. The whole forecast is a write-off, and the numbers back it up: every single time slot is rated a zero for surf quality.
The problem is the wind. It’s relentless from the east-northeast, coming straight cross-on, never once turning offshore. That’s a death sentence for a reef break like Cabarete that needs clean lines. Instead, we’re stuck with moderate to fresh breezes that are churning the surface up into lumpy, choppy, poor surf conditions day after day. It’s not even a call you can make – there’s no decent session hidden in here.
From Tuesday, 18 August, right through to Wednesday, 2 September, it’s the same story. Swell heights bob around from 2ft to 5ft, mostly from the east, with short periods that rarely get above 8-9 seconds – so no real power or shape. The combined energy does climb into the moderate-to-strong range on a couple of days, like 26 August when it hits 584 (moderate wave energy), but that’s completely wasted because the onshore wind is ripping it apart. Even when the longer period swell rolls in on 1 September (12 seconds), the cross-on wind still ruins it.
Forget looking for standouts. There aren’t any. The only time the energy looks promising? 26 August morning, with a 5ft east swell at 11 seconds and 584 energy. But it’s still cross-on, and the forecast says “poor surf conditions.” That’s not surfable.
Bottom line: don’t waste your time. If the wind ever swings offshore, the picture can change, but right now, this is a 16-day blank. The reef at Cabarete needs a break from the wind, and it’s not getting one.
Stay optimistic – it can’t stay this bad forever. Forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 113 | 88 | 65 | 161 | 108 | 86 | 77 | 48 | 127 | 135 | 88 | 83 | 135 | 115 | 101 | 126 | 104 | 135 | 184 | 124 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:15PM0.63m | 1:00AM0.46m | 2:09PM0.61m | 1:44AM0.42m | 3:06PM0.60m | 2:32AM0.39m | 4:05PM0.59m | 3:28AM0.37m | 5:01PM0.59m | 4:28AM0.37m | 5:53PM0.61m | 5:27AM0.39m | 6:39PM0.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:40PM0.22m | 7:14AM0.10m | 8:42PM0.24m | 7:59AM0.11m | 9:45PM0.25m | 8:49AM0.12m | 10:47PM0.25m | 9:42AM0.12m | 11:42PM0.25m | 10:36AM0.12m | 00:30AM0.24m | 11:29AM0.12m | 1:10AM0.23m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NNE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 6 | NE 8 | N 8 | E 7 |
94 | 9 | 88 | 65 | 13 | 108 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 5 | 5 | 88 | 6 | 6 | 115 | 6 | 6 | 104 | 2 | 1 | 124 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | N 6 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | — | NNE 8 | E 13 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | E 12 | E 12 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | E 18 |
9 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 3 | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 7 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | NE 8 | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | — | E 8 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | SSE 2 | E 7 | E 8 | — | E 6 | E 7 | — | E 7 | E 7 | — |
— | 113 | — | — | 161 | — | 86 | 77 | 48 | 127 | 135 | 1 | 83 | 135 | — | 101 | 126 | — | 135 | 184 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 821 | 5 | 247 | 377 | 5 | 368 | 843 | 14 | 1079 | 1005 | 14 | 1079 | 282 | 14 | 506 | 637 | 14 | 368 | 506 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Amber Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Dominican Republic | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cabarete Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cabarete provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cabarete can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cabarete surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cabarete) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cabarete may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Cabarete is 32 km (20 miles) from Puerto Plata. If you plan a holiday in Amber Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











