Puerto Rico Surf Spots & Information

Puerto Rico surfing first started in the 1950’s. Since then, it has grown in local popularity, and even gained international recognition after hosting the 1968 World Surfing Championships. Today, Puerto Rico remains a top Caribbean surf trip destination.

To most surfers’ amazement, Puerto Rico gets good-quality surf on all coasts during all seasons, even summer. However, the sole focal point of Puerto Rico surfing remains on the north and northwest coasts during winter swells. Aguadilla and Rincon are the two main surfing destinations on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast. Aguadilla sits at the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico and picks up the majority of north and northwest swell activity. Sitting on the western coast, Rincon surf spots are a little more tucked in and not as exposed as Aguadilla. It takes a bigger swell with a more westerly angle for Rincon to break; but when it does, it produces some of the biggest, best waves in the Caribbean.

The surf season in Puerto Rico stretches from late summer to early spring. Puerto Rico receives the majority of its swells during hurricane season as large storms move off the west coast of Africa, and during winter months as cold fronts and low-pressure systems move off the eastern seaboard of the United States, sending in long-period groundswell to the north- and northwest-facing beaches.

Paradise always has a price. In Puerto Rico, it’s the crowds. Maddening at times. During winter months, Puerto Rico surf spots are packed with locals and travelers alike, riding every form of watercraft you can think of: surfboards, boogie boards, body surfing, stand-pp paddle boards…i'ts just like Hawaii minus the Asian influence in the culture.

Perhaps the coolest thing about a Puerto Rico surf trip is its accessibility for US residents: no passport requirements, no currency exchange, and it’s just a short flight from the international airports along the eastern seaboard. Add in the crystal clear water, consistent year-round surf, and a relatively safe vacationing environment for families, and you can see why Puerto Rico is such a popular surf destination.

Find a Puerto Rico surf school.

Below is a list of SOME of the top surf spots in Puerto Rico, broken down by region. We did not catalog every surf break, just the main surf spots in each region.

North Coast Puerto Rico Surf Breaks

Chatarra - San Juan Area
Surf Location	North
Best Swell Direction	Northeast
Best Tide	High tide is safer, low tide is more hollow
Best Wind Direction	South
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-April
Wave Quality	Super hollow left-hand reef break. Considered one of the best lefts in the Caribbean. Draws comparisons to Pipeline in Oahu.
The Surfers	Crowded, the takeoff here is narrow and the locals have it wired
Boards	Shortboard, bodyboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Urchin-covered reef
Water Condition	Clean and clear

La Ocho - San Juan Area
Surf Location	Go to Parque Del Escambron
Best Swell Direction	North or North-Northwest
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	South
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	Mushy reef breaks spread out across the entire beach. Mostly right-hand peelers best surfed on a longboard.
The Surfers	Mellow vibe in the water
Boards	Fish, funboard, longboard, stand-up paddle board
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Total Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Nothing
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Aviones - Isla Verde
Surf Location	North coast
Best Swell Direction	North, Northeast
Best Tide	High tide is safer, low tide is more hollow
Best Wind Direction	South
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-April
Wave Quality	One of the most consistent surf spots in Puerto Rico. Right and left breaking reef break that can produce some very long tube rides. Beware, the wave is steep and breaks in very shallow water over an urchin-covered reef.
The Surfers	Narrow takeoff zone gets very competitive with locals
Boards	Shortboard, bodyboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Urchin-covered reef
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Northwest Coast Puerto Rico Surf Breaks

Wishing Well - Aguadilla
Surf Location	Northwest: Aguadilla, next cove south of Wilderness.
Best Swell Direction	Northwest
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	East-Northeast is offshore
Best Surf Season	September - March
Wave Quality	Wishing Well is a fun, hollow wave that is perfect for speedy, high-performance surfing. It’s tucked into the cove, so it needs a bigger swell to start breaking.
The Surfers	Competitive with good local and visiting surfers.
Boards	Shortboard, Bodyboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Shallow reef & lots of sea urchins
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Wishing Well, Puerto Rico - Surf Video

 

Gas Chambers - Aguadilla
Surf Location	Northwest: Aguadilla
Best Swell Direction	Big northwest or west swell
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	East-Northeast
Best Surf Season	September - March
Wave Quality	Gas Chambers is a legendary, yet tricky right-hand reef break. When it’s breaking, Gas Chambers produces Puerto Rico’s finest tubes. The takeoff is super critical, but the barrel’s are totally worth it.
The Surfers	You will find Puerto Rico’s finest tube ridders at Gas Chambers when its breaking.
Boards	Shortboard, Bodyboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Shallow reef, big cliff at the takeoff zone, sea urchins.
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Gas Chambers, Puerto Rico - Surf Video

 

Antonio's - Rincon
Surf Location	Located next to Sandy Beach near Casa Islena in Rincon
Best Swell Direction	West, Northwest
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	Southeast
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	Right-hand reef break that can produce long, rippable walls. When the conditions are right, this is a super fun wave.
The Surfers	Not too crowded. There are better waves in the area and it’s rarely glassy. Plus, multiple takeoff spots keep the crowds spread out.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, stand-up paddle board
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand and reef
Watch Out For…	Sea urchins, reef, undertow
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Sandy Beach - Rincon
Surf Location	On Puntas Beach just north of Antonio’s
Best Swell Direction	West, Northwest, Northeast
Best Tide	Incoming high tide
Best Wind Direction	South, Southest
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	Left-hand reef break
The Surfers	It’s crowded here with locals that have the spot wired. The takeoff spot is narrow, and gets pretty competitive.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand and reef
Watch Out For…	The takeoff spot is in front of a rock and the inside reef section
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Domes - Rincon
Surf Location	Park near the old nuclear power plant and walk in
Best Swell Direction	Northeast
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	Southeast
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	Very consistent right-hand reef break that is known for producing some carvable walls. It also produces a lackluster left. This is not a great big wave spot. The wave is located in a small cove, which creates a lot of currents when the swell is larger and causes the wave to break in sections.
The Surfers	Get crowded with locals and travelers. Everyone surfs here from beginners to pros. One of the only spots that breaks during summer.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, bodyboard
Paddle Out	Can be difficult
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef and rocks
Watch Out For…	Sea urchins, jellyfish, undertow
Water Condition	Moderately clean

Maria's - Rincon
Surf Location	Northwest, by Sandy Beach
Best Swell Direction	Northwest
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	Northeast
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	Awesome right-hand reef/point break that can produce very long, speedy rides
The Surfers	Very crowded
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, stand-up paddle board, bodyboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Sea urchins on the reef, crowds...stay alert
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Tres Palmas - Rincon
Surf Location
Best Swell Direction	Northwest
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	East
Best Surf Season	Winter, November-March
Wave Quality	This is THE big wave break of Puerto Rico. A perfect right-hand reef break that produces some beautiful open face walls perfect for high-performance carving.
The Surfers	Very crowded: locals have this place wired, and there is a large number of traveling surfers that wait for Tres Palmas to come alive
Boards	Big wave gun
Paddle Out	Easy paddle through the channel
Skill Level	Advanced or Pro only
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Freak sneaker sets
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Tres Palmas, Puerto Rico - Surf Video

Southeast Coast Puerto Rico Surf Spots

Inches
Surf Location	Just outside of Patillas
Best Swell Direction	South, Southeast
Best Tide	High tide is safest
Best Wind Direction	Northeast
Best Surf Season	Summer and Fall
Wave Quality	Long left-hand reef/point break. Can peel for up to 100 yards.
The Surfers	Very crowded, locals have this place wired
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, stand-up paddle board
Paddle Out	Easy paddle through the channel
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Very shallow reef
Water Condition	Clean and clear