Dominican Republic - February

[StellaBlu]

Im going to be in the Dominican Republic (Las Terrenas) in late Feb. Looks to be very early for the wind season, but I'm curious to hear from others whether it might still be worth bringing some gear? For what its worth, I will be winging and although that isn't really the purpose of the trip, I'll lose my mind if its windy and I can't get onto the water!

The WindGuru data is weird. The avg wind speeds seem really light 7-10 knots, but the gusts seem oddly high (20 or so). Maybe its just a really gusty spot?

The reason I'm asking this early is because I need to book flights and some of the carriers (JetBlue) won't allow me to bring kite gear, so I'm choosing my airline accordingly.

Thanks!

[PusherII]

February Is a bad month even in cabarete
Las Terrenas is defenetely a bad destination on february.

Even if you Say i go for foil...too many reef to pay attenction

[Ero7]

Been to Cabarete a couple of times in Feb - both times it was an awesome package of wind and waves.
Feb/March is considered wave season in Cabarete.

But keep in mind, Cabarete is special… ventury effect in the mountains nearby => MUCH better afternoon winds, comparing to all other DR spots. Never been to Las Terrenas, cannot comment on that location.

So, I’d say, always bring gear if you can, hoping for the best, prepared for the worst.

[Windigo1]

It's hit or miss I have been there in February one year we got good wind every day for a week. The year after there was a big storm in the Atlantic messing up the wind and we got no wind at all. Most airlines have a cancellation insurance you can cancel for an extra fee for any reasons. I always get that now and if there's no wind I cancel and go later or go to another destination.

[Toby]

my experience is that March is pretty good, February not. Yes, Cabarete gets more wind.
At least one spot is very reefy...they are everywhere. But I guess there are spots with deeper water too?

Maybe just rent for the days with wind, since there should a a school ? Pura Vida might still be thee...check online.

Plus you might meet our Godfather...Bruno Leganoux...the inventor of the LE Kites !

[yademokitu]

It's hit or miss I have been there in February one year we got good wind every day for a week. The year after there was a big storm in the Atlantic messing up the wind and we got no wind at all. Most airlines have a cancellation insurance you can cancel for an extra fee for any reasons. I always get that now and if there's no wind I cancel and go later or go to another destination.

What cancellation insurance is that ? I never heard you could cancel for any reasons, or you mean if you pay 3x the normal airline fare?

[Windigo1]

It's hit or miss I have been there in February one year we got good wind every day for a week. The year after there was a big storm in the Atlantic messing up the wind and we got no wind at all. Most airlines have a cancellation insurance you can cancel for an extra fee for any reasons. I always get that now and if there's no wind I cancel and go later or go to another destination.

What cancellation insurance is that ? I never heard you could cancel for any reasons, or you mean if you pay 3x the normal airline fare?

I live in Canada if you buy a package here you can pay 50$ or 100$ and you're allowed to cancel for any reasons. Here's the one from Sunwing https://www.sunwing.ca/en/be-worry-free an Air Transat https://www.transat.com/en-CA/book/option-flex

I don't know if other countries and other airlines have that where you live!

[Flyboy]

I have to say, after 40 years of participating in windsports, that people's conclusions abut wind based on a few personal experiences are largely meaningless. I have been many times to Cabarete over the years and have had good wind conditions overall. Although there are "local factors" that influence the wind reliability - ie Cabarete is windier than Las Terrenas, Buen Hombre is windier than Cabarete - a large part of the wind conditions seem to be based on the macro situation governing the trade winds over a larger area.

So... I have been in Cabarete since Dec 6th this trip. We first had two weeks of pretty consistent wind (although mixed with a lot of rain), followed by two weeks of almost no wind at all. This has now been followed by two weeks of solid wind every single day, which looks to be continuing for another week. It is nearly always windier than the forecast. The same pattern seems to have affected most of the Caribbean over the past 6 weeks.

If you're going anywhere for two weeks - let alone one week - there's always a chance you will get skunked ... or you will have great conditions.