The Dominican Republic lies squarely in the Northeast Trade winds a belt of moderate to strong breezes that circles the Earth between the equator and about 25 degrees north latitude.  The north coast of the Dominican Republic in general and the town of Cabarete in particular, sits more or less along 19 degrees north latitude so finds itself squarely in the midst of this cooling east-to-west wind flow that has powered sailing ships across the Atlantic from Europe for centuries.  The island of Hispaniola, aside from this perfect location, has high mountain ranges in its interior.  On warmer days, these mountains fuel an additional phenomenon which makes the town of Cabarete unique in all the Caribbean:  a thermal updraft in the mountains causes the normal trade winds to strengthen like clockwork about 2:00 in the afternoon, thus creating what many have described as the perfect blend of wind strengths – light to moderate in the morning, strengthening after noon to a full-blown 20-25 knot rip snorter that will challenge the best sailors.

An internationally ranked Laser sailor started the Cabarete Laser Training Center some years ago and this beach-side facility, complete with storage for many Lasers as well as a few larger dinghies, has flourished.  The Caribbean Midwinter Regatta, held each January, attracts some of the best sailors in the world, including former Olympians and Americas Cup competitors.  Clinics are held often throughout the year and the level of coaching has improved every year.  The Laser, an Olympic single-handed class for both men and women, is a challenging, fun boat to sail.  Beginners learn in the lighter winds in the morning and, as they improve, venture out beyond the reef in the afternoon winds where they plane down the face of big ocean swells, often whooping with delight.

In addition to Lasers, of which there are more than a dozen belonging to private owners and to the Laser Center, there are other boats to be found as well.  Hobbie catamarans are seen darting about inside the lagoon and the Laser Bahia, a 3-sail sloop sporting a square-top mainsail, roller jib and large asymmetric A-sail are also beach-launched easily from the beach at Cabarete.  Along with the great variety of water sports available here on this lovely coast,  those preferring a traditional watercraft will find a terrific experience awaits them…just offshore.

A Cabarete man, sailing his Bahia recently just outside the reef that encloses Cabarete Lagoon, was enjoying a lovely light-air day with friends in sparkling sunshine on deep blue ocean.  He heard a cuffing sound and turned around quickly.  There, right beside his boat, a 45-foot Humpback Whale cow surfaced with her months-old calf.  The pair were about to head north to their summer grounds in the Gulf of Maine and the patient mother was teaching her calf how to handle the big swells of the open ocean.  Boat and whales stayed in company for 10 minutes before the big whale submerged and with an easy stroke of massive tails, headed off toward the Silver Bank and cooler northern waters beyond.