Last updated on December 20th, 2023 at 04:51 pm
If you are looking for the best surf spots in Puerto Rico, you came to the right place. In this surf guide to Puerto Rico, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including travel tips, surf seasons, and the best surf beaches in Puerto Rico.
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About Surfing in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a U.S. Nation located on a Caribbean Island just next to the Dominican Republic. It is famous for its beautiful landscape, mountains, rainforests, and waterfalls. Moreover, it is a trendy holiday destination with great beaches, kicking nightlife, restaurants, and casinos.
As for the surf in Puerto Rico, it is absolutely spectacular. Since its coastline is exposed to the North Atlantic swells, the waves here are very consistent. Moreover, it offers breaks of all kinds, from reef breaks to points and beach breaks.
In general, you need to be a good surfer to surf in Puerto Rico, as the waves here are challenging. However, if you are a beginner or intermediate, don’t worry; there are some perfect beaches with beginner-friendly waves.
The only downside of surfing in Puerto Rico is the crowds. Since it is so epic and popular, everybody wants a piece of it. Therefore, you must either deal with the competition in the lineup or just go to the less crowded surf spots in Puerto Rico. Luckily, there are plenty of those, too, and there are more than enough waves for everyone to have fun.
The Best Surf Spots in Puerto Rico
Even though the South Coast faces the Caribbean Sea and receives some occasional swells, the Northern Coast is where the real surf is. Therefore, when surfing in Puerto Rico, this is where you want to focus. So, in detail, these are the main surf spots in Puerto Rico:
Rincon:
Break type- Reef breaks, pints, and beach breaks.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- Rincon is the most famous surf spot in Puerto Rico and is where most of the Puerto Rican surf scene is centered. It is located in the Northwest part of the country and offers a variety of breaks, surf shops, restaurants, and great nightlife. If powerful reef breaks are what you are after, you will find them at Antonio’s, Pool’s, and Domes. Other great spots are Sandy Beach and Maria’s. Moreover, if you are looking for huge waves, the best place to find them is at Tres Palmas.
Read more in our post about surfing in Rincon.
Aguadilla:
Break type- Reef break.
Skill level- Beginner to intermediate.
Description- The long beach strip next to Aguadilla is one of the most beautiful ones in the country, and some of the best surf spots in Puerto Rico are found here. In fact, this area was recently announced as a world surfing reserve, the first ever in the Caribbean. Most of the breaks here are softer than the ones in Rincon and, therefore, suitable for all skill levels. The most popular ones are Bridges, Crash Boat, Wilderness, Surfer Beach, Punta Borinquen, and Gas Chambers.
Isabela:
Break type- Reef breaks and beach breaks.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- This beach strip on the Northwest Coast also has some of the best waves in the country. Middles Beach, for instance, hosts the Annual Corona Pro Surf Competition with a punchy break, and it also offers a beginner’s wave down the beach. At Jobos Beach, you can find some great breaks too and even take some surfing lessons.
La Marginal:
Break type- Reef break.
Skill level- Intermediate to advanced.
Description- You will find this great spot on the highway next to the town of Arecibo. This beach produces consistent waves and picks up any swell. When the wind blows offshore, you can get some beautiful barrels.
Kikita:
Break type- Reef break.
Skill level- Intermediate.
Description- Most foreigners who surf in Puerto Rico never come to this spot. Actually, it is kind of an underground beach, and mainly locals know about it. However, if you make an effort to get here, you will get some very powerful waves with minimal crowds.
San Juan:
Break type- Reef breaks and beach breaks.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- The Puerto Rican Capital definitely has a surf Scene of its own. Sure, like in every big city, the beaches are crowded and not as lovely as in other surf spots in Puerto Rico, but still, good waves are found here, too. La Ocho is one of the breaks, especially for advanced surfers. To get there, you will need to paddle from Escambron Beach. Playa Aviones is another popular spot. In fact, it is one of the most consistent ones in the country, and it is the local’s favorite.
Luquillo:
Break type- Beach break.
Skill level- Beginner to intermediate.
Description- This town on the Northeast Coast offers a typical beach break. At La Pared (The Wall), you can find mellow waves for beginners and practice over a sandy bottom.
Los Tubos:
Break type- Reef break.
Skill level- Advanced.
Description- “The Tubes” in English, in the town of Manati, is a beach for advanced surfers only. It hosts several local surf competitions and is most popular among Bodyboarders.
Bocas del Cibuco:
Break type- Reef break.
Skill level- Intermediate.
Description- You will find this spot in a beautiful bay in front of a National Reserve in the middle of the North Coast. The waves here break far in the deep water and offer some very long rides.
If you are new to surfing and looking for beginner waves, check out our post about the best beginner surf beaches in Puerto Rico.
Surf Seasons in Puerto Rico
In General, the winter is the best time to surf in Puerto Rico. However, that also depends on your skill level and what exactly you are looking for. To clarify, take a look at this breakdown:
During winter, between November and February, the North Atlantic swells hit the Puerto Rican Coast with massive power. Therefore, you can expect some big waves and great consistency every single day. If you are an advanced surfer, this is definitely the time you want to surf in Puerto Rico. Moreover, this is also the dry season, which makes it even nicer.
The spring (March and April) and the fall (September and October) are known as “shoulder season”. During these months, the waves range from 2 to 4 feet, and this is the perfect time for beginners and intermediate surfers. Moreover, during “shoulder season”, the crowd in the lineup is significantly lower.
Finally, the summer months, from May to August, are pretty small and inconsistent. Even though this Hurricane season can bring some good occasional swells, it is not something you can count on for a surf trip.
As for the weather, it is always warm, and the water as well. Therefore, when surfing in Puerto Rico, there is no need for a wetsuit.
Surf Camps in Puerto Rico
If you are a beginner making his first steps in the surfing world, the best way to explore the surf beaches of Puerto Rico is at a surf camp. So, these are the most recommended surf camps in Puerto Rico:
1. Surf 2 Live, Aguadilla– This all-inclusive Surfari is an excellent choice for a surf camp in Puerto Rico. All levels are welcome, from beginners to experts, to enjoy the beautiful waves of Aguadilla.
For more details about Caribbean surf camps, please click here.
2. Pure Life Surf School– Situated in Aguadilla, Pure Life Surf School is only a short drive from the best breaks. It offers a professional surf program and surf lessons in Daytona Beach.
For more details about surf schools and accommodation for surfers, please click here.
3. Rincon Surf School– For years, this camp has taught, coached, and challenged everyone, from total beginners to advanced surfers.
For more details about Puerto Rico and the Caribbean surf camps, please click here.
Surf Hotels in Puerto Rico
When coming to surf in Puerto Rico, you want to stay as close as possible to the best waves. So, these are some of the most recommended surf hotels on the island:
1. Casa Isleña, Rincon– Located on the beachfront with views of the Caribbean Sea, Casa Isleña features an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace. It offers free WiFiWiFi and free private parking on site.
2. Casa Canal, the Ultimate Casa– Located in Rincon, just 1.2 km from Doña Lala Beach, Casa Canal, the Ultimate Casa provides beachfront accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, a garden and free WiFiWiFi. Featuring free private parking, the villa is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and windsurfing.
3. Aguada of the Seas, Aguadilla– Set 47 km from Rio Camuy Cave Park, Aguada of the Seas offers a restaurant, a bar, and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFiWiFi.
For more surf hotels in Puerto Rico, check out our post about the best surf resorts in Puerto Rico, or simply look for deals on Booking.com.
What Skill Level is Required to Surf in Puerto Rico
There is a wonderful selection of surf spots in Puerto Rico, so surfers of all levels can find waves that suit their skills. For instance, beginners can surf mellow waves on several beaches in Aguadilla. Intermediate surfers, though, will find more challenging waves in spots like Antonio’s and Domes. And finally, if you are an advanced surfer, you can ride massive waves at Tres Palmas.
Which Location in Puerto Rico is Best to Stay At
On a surf trip, it is best to focus on one area to spend more time surfing and less traveling. However, there are many great surf beaches in Puerto Rico, and sometimes, it can be hard to choose where to stay. So, considering the waves and the general atmosphere of the place, these are our 2 most recommended towns to stay at:
1. Rincon– This is, without a doubt, Puerto Rico’s surf capital. Besides some of the best surf beaches in Puerto Rico, you will find various surf shops, hotels, and great nightlife.
2. Aguadilla– If you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, this is where you will find mellow waves and various surf camps. Moreover, the beaches here are spectacular.
Puerto Rico- Travel Information
Language– Spanish.
Population– over 3 Million.
Currency– U.S. dollar.
Calling code– +1.
Time zone– GMT -4.
Pros– great variety of breaks, warm water.
Cons– extremely crowded.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, Puerto Rico is a top-rated surf destination for a good reason. Who doesn’t want to surf perfect waves on a Caribbean Island with warm blue water? With such high-quality waves and a great atmosphere, surfing in Puerto Rico is a recipe for having a good time.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide to the best surf spots in Puerto Rico. Have a great surf trip!
