Master of the Ocean 2026 Returns to Cabarete This September

Master of the Ocean 2026 will return to Cabarete from September 16 to 20, bringing athletes from the Dominican Republic and abroad to Playa Encuentro for the 21st edition of the long-running water sports competition.

The event combines surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddle and wingfoil in a single competition, taking advantage of the wind and wave conditions that have helped establish Cabarete as one of the Caribbean’s best-known destinations for water sports.

Cabarete Brings Five Water Sports Together

Unlike competitions focused on a single discipline, Master of the Ocean brings five ocean sports together in one event. Athletes will compete in surf, windsurf, kitesurf, SUP and wingfoil, with the conditions at Playa Encuentro playing an important role throughout the competition.

Located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic in Puerto Plata province, Cabarete has developed an international reputation among water sports enthusiasts because of its combination of tropical conditions, consistent winds and access to surf beaches. Events such as Master of the Ocean have also contributed to the area’s identity as a sports tourism destination.

For visitors, the competition offers an opportunity to experience Cabarete beyond its beaches. The town combines water sports with restaurants, nightlife and a tourism scene built around an active outdoor lifestyle, making it particularly attractive to travelers interested in ocean-based activities.

Viva Tangerine Continues Its Long-Standing Partnership

Viva Tangerine by Wyndham will again support the event, continuing a relationship that dates back to Master of the Ocean’s creation in 2003.

According to the resort, its involvement over more than two decades has accompanied the growth of the competition and Cabarete’s development as an international destination for sports tourism.

Marcus Böhm, founder of Master of the Ocean and a longtime promoter of water sports in the Dominican Republic, described Cabarete as a destination where visitors can combine ocean activities with accommodation, food, relaxation and nightlife.

Viva Tangerine general manager Antonio Cárdenas said the resort is inviting athletes, families and fans to experience the event while staying in Cabarete.

Playa Encuentro Will Be the Competition Venue

The 2026 edition will be centered on Playa Encuentro, one of the beaches associated with Cabarete’s surfing scene. Its location provides competitors and spectators with direct access to the ocean while keeping the event close to the town’s accommodation, restaurants and other visitor services.

Viva Tangerine is located a short distance from Playa Encuentro and offers an all-inclusive beachfront option for visitors attending the competition. The resort’s location also allows guests to combine the event with Cabarete’s broader tourism and water sports offerings.

Master of the Ocean’s return reinforces the connection between major sporting events and the Dominican Republic’s tourism offering. For Cabarete, the competition provides another opportunity to showcase the destination to international athletes and travelers whose trips are built around surfing, wind-powered sports and other outdoor activities.

The 21st edition will take place over five days, from September 16 through September 20, 2026, continuing an event that has been part of Cabarete’s water sports calendar for more than two decades.