The Caribbean is not generally known for its surf, but there are plenty of places to catch waves in the area. Some spots (such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) can absolutely pump in the right season. While others, like the Caribbean coast of Colombia, offer lovely Caribbean vibes with solid beginner and beginner/intermediate waves. Here are a few of our favorite surf camps in the Caribbean!

Bobo Surf’s Up

First up we have Bobo Surf’s Up. Located in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, Bobo has been around for decades. Just twenty minutes from the Puerto Plata international airport, Bobo is accessible, has amazing waves, and is run by a former Dominican surf champion. The best waves can be found in the winter, from November to April, while summer will see smaller waves created by local wind swell. As Bobo is up on the northern coast, the winter really will be the best time for pumping waves.

Bobo Surf’s Up School offers surf camps for all difficulty levels. Their 7 day camps run around $1,200 while their two-week camps cost about $2,100. In addition to daily surf lessons, they have SUP boards, an outdoor swimming pool, and a lovely garden and dining area. They include breakfast, and have extra surf lessons and guided tours available on request. If the waves aren’t cooperating, they also offer kitesurfing and other board sports!

Rincón Surf School & Resort

Rincón is one of the best places to surf in the Caribbean, and there are several solid breaks nearby. These waves in Puerto Rico are definitely some of the more advanced waves in the whole of the Caribbean. There are advanced breaks at Tres Palmas and Dogman’s, while Domes and Marias offer more intermediate-level waves. Domes also gets more mellow at the end of the season in spring and can be a great longboarding wave.

Rincón Surf School & Resort has plenty of options for all skill levels. They offer basic rooms starting at $160/night, while surf and stay packages start at just under $1,000. You can also just book lessons for around $100 a person. This is definitely the best surf camp in the Caribbean for experienced surfers in our opinion. You’ll get the best offering of waves, easy access to the surf with their location at Sandy Beach, and options including single rooms all the way up to private houses.

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Surf In Barbados

Surf In Barbados is the surf camp to catch some waves in this island nation. You’ll have access to world-famous spots like Soup Bowl, among many others. Surf In Barbados is located on the other side of the island, but it’s only a half-hour drive to get over to Soup Bowl. The guides can also take you to the many different breaks around the island, as different swells will hit different parts of the coast here.

Surf In Barbados has a cottage and apartment right at their Dread or Dead surf shop. They have one bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. They offer surf stays, surf camps, surf guidance, rentals, and tons of standalone options. If you’re looking for the best surf experience, we recommend staying with them and doing the Surf and Stay package as you’ll get the most out of your time on the island!

Newtours Colombia

Newtours operates surf camps all over Colombia and is one of our favorite surf camps in Colombia, but if you’re looking for a place to surf on the Caribbean side it will have to be in Tayrona. Tayrona National Natural Park is the second most visited national park in the country, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Sitting just on the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range you’ll get striking views, incredible nature experiences, and solid beginner and beginner-intermediate waves. Because it’s a national park, you won’t find a ton of all-inclusive resorts or the like. It’s a more chill, natural, and relaxed vibe.

Newtours offers a surf camp in the area for around $700 for one person in a private room or $1,300 for two people in a private double room. A shared dorm in the hostel setting will bring the price down to the $400 range. The surf here is generally best from December to April, and the surf guides at Newtours will take you to the best break depending on the day’s conditions, your skill level, and the tide. They also have plenty of other activities to do in addition to the 2-hour surf sessions every day!

Puerto Colombia Surf School

Also in Colombia, Puerto Colombia is a town just outside Barranquilla. Puerto Colombia Surf School is the place to surf here. The waves here are best in the dry season from November-April. You won’t find huge overhead waves, but you will get plenty of beginner-friendly waves with some intermediate days. While staying here, you’ll get the chance to take a tour of the pier (once the biggest pier in the world), visit the local market, engage in cultural activities like art workshops and dance performances, hike through nature, and snorkel the beautiful coral reefs.

Puerto Colombia Surf School runs about $500 for a private apartment, and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to the daily surf lessons, you can go snorkeling, go on one of their many tours included, take the boards out whenever you want, and relax in their tranquil garden and lounge. It’s a great place to catch some Caribbean vibes and get fairly regular waves in the North American winter.

Villa Sunset and Villa Sunrise

Villa Sunset and Villa Sunrise are the option if you’re looking for a luxury surf vacation in the Caribbean. Located in Las Terrenas, these villas provide the most high-end surf vacation we know of in the Caribbean. The waves you’ll find will be beginner and beginner-intermediate, and your lessons will be with Saori Garcia, a two-time national surf champion.

The star here is not the waves, but the accommodations. Villa Sunset and Villa Sunrise are absolutely amazing. Food is included, as are daily tours, fruit and snacks, surf photoshoots, transfers from the airport, and more. You can also organize massages, ATV tours, bachata classes, zip line tours, and much more. Surf camps will cost in the $5,00-12,000 range for seven days.