BEST SURF SPOTS IN PUERTO RICO

BEST SURF SPOTS IN PUERTO RICO



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 SPOTS

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

NORTHWEST COAST PUERTO RICO SURF SPOTS


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

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, Southeast

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