Encuentro - surf spot statistics

Encuentro in the Dominican Republic offers consistent surf year-round, though conditions vary significantly by season. The best months for surfers are typically from November through March, when the swell size averages around 1.5 to 1.6 meters, providing more reliable and rideable waves. During this period, ground swells make up 22 to 26% of the swell mix, while wind swells dominate with 74 to 78%. However, wind conditions are less favorable, with good winds occurring only 18 to 21% of the time, while onshore or unfavorable winds prevail 79 to 82% of the time. Despite the challenging winds, these months still deliver the most consistent wave energy and larger swells. From April to October, wave heights decrease, averaging 1.0 to 1.3 meters, with wind swells becoming even more dominant (87 to 98%). The best wind conditions occur from September to October, when good winds happen 33 to 36% of the time, offering cleaner surfaces despite the smaller swells. June through August sees the lowest ground swell influence (1 to 5%) and smaller waves, making it less ideal for advanced surfers, though still manageable for beginners. Overall, experienced surfers will prefer winter (November-March) for larger swells, while intermediate surfers might find late summer and early fall (September-October) more appealing due to slightly better wind conditions, albeit with smaller waves.

November at Encuentro offers consistent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid period of 9.4s, producing well-formed, powerful waves ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The dominant swell directions are ENE, NE, and NNE, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1-2.5m) coming from these angles—specifically, ENE swells contribute over 30% of waves in this range, making them the most reliable. Larger sets (2-2.5m) are less common but present, primarily from ENE and NE. Wind conditions are mixed, with only 21% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the west or northwest). The majority of winds blow from the east and northeast at 10-30kph, which can create choppy conditions, especially during stronger easterlies. Early mornings often provide the cleanest sessions before the trades pick up. Overall, November delivers decent surf with occasional very good days, though wind management is key for optimal performance.