10 Best Surf Spots In Puerto Rico (2024) – Ultimate Surfing Guide

There are over 75 surf spots in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is also home to a handful of major surfing competitions.

I have been surfing in Puerto Rico for decades, and I am happy to share my knowledge with you in this article.

Below are the 10 best surf spots in Puerto Rico:

 

1. Jobos Beach, Isabela

Jobos Beach is among the best surfing spots for beginners to experts.

Experts can surf waves at the reef break, and beginners can surf in “El Bajo,” a sand break in the middle of the beach.

image of a guy surfing in Jobos
Surfing at Jobos.

The rights are long and smooth.

Jobos is consistent year-round, but you will find the best waves from November to March.

Jobos has a “little bay area” that makes it one of the safest and most family-friendly surf spots.

image of the Jobos Beach
Jobos Bay. Image courtesy of Charlie Rivera.

The only problem with Jobos is that it gets very crowded.

Local Tip: When paddling out to the waves, stay as close as possible to the extensive rock formation. The circular current will take you effortlessly to the lineup. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Jobos Beach:

 

2. Middles, Isabela

Middles is more suited for intermediate and advanced surfers.

Middles has one of the best waves in Puerto Rico, a right-hand wave that breaks over a reef. 

Between October and November, Middles hosts the Corona Extra Pro Surf Circuit. The contest offers a great chance to see some local pros in action.

image of a guy surfing in Middles
Surfing at Middles.

The light onshore winds give you a hollow wave.

During the surf season, Middles will be overhead almost every single day.

Local Tip: On weekdays this beach is not very crowded.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Middles Beach:

 

3. Surfer’s Beach Aguadilla

Surfer’s Beach is suited for all surfing levels.

In 1998 The World Surfing Championship took place on Surfer’s Beach.

image of the Surfer's Beach
Surfer’s Beach.

This spot has consistent extended rights and short left breaks.

In the season, the average wave height is six to eight feet tall.

Surfer’s Beach has free parking. 

Local Tip: Surfer’s Beach has a reef bottom and a healthy sea urchin population, be careful.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Surfer’s Beach:

 

4. Wilderness, Aguadilla

Long lefts and longer right waves make this beach better for experienced surfers.

Wilderness has a flat rock bottom.

The waves in this spot are fast and powerful.

image of a guy surfing in Wilderness
Surfing Wilderness. Image courtesy of Mickey Nuñes.

Watch out for rocks, sea urchins, and rip currents

The best time to visit the Wilderness is from January to April.

The drive to Wilderness is a bumpy ride.

Local Tip: A channel at the left of the beach will take you to the lineup faster.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Wilderness Beach:

 

5. Gas Chambers, Aguadilla

Gas Chambers is for very experienced surfers only.

This spot is on the north side of Crash Boat Beach.

image of a guy surfing in Gas Chambers
Surfing Gas Chambers.

Service members stationed in Ramey Base named many of the surfing spots on the West Coast.

They called this beach Gas Chamber. The reason? Because on this beach, like in the Gas Chambers drill, you must take a deep breath and hope for the best.

This spot is not very consistent.

Gas Chambers break only a few days in the year, but when it does, it breaks hard.

Check out surfing in Gas Chambers, Puerto Rico in the following video:

You will see fifteen to twenty-foot waves breaking on a shallow reef.

I have seen my share of pros breaking their boards on this beach.

The tube in the Chamber is one of the biggest and best in Puerto Rico.

If you can go there when it breaks, you will see an unforgettable show of nature’s force. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of the Gas Chamber:

 

6. Crash Boat, Aguadilla

Crash Boat is excellent for sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and spending a great day at one of the top 3 best beaches in Puerto Rico.

But when the swell comes from the northwest or the west, Crash Boat becomes the best sand break in Puerto Rico.

You will surf an extended overhead right hand on a sand bottom.

image of a wave hitting the Crash Boat Pier
A wave hitting Crash Boat Pier.

The best part of surfing Crash Boat?

You don’t have to paddle out.

Surf the wave to the shore, walk on the pier, and jump in the lineup.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Crash Boat Beach:

 

7. Pools Beach, Rincón

When the tide is high, intermediates and beginners can surf this spot. But when the tide is low, only experts should be surfing Pools.

Check the tides before you get in.

image of people surfing in Pools Beach
Surfing Pools Beach.

For Pools to have waves, a big swell must come from the north.

But when the conditions are favorable, Pools Beach delivers. The waves break with great power over the reef.

Local Tip: The Pool’s beach is not very crowded. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Pools Beach:

 

8. Domes Beach

Domes Beach is suited for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Every year in March, Domes Beach hosts the Corona Extra Pro Surf Circuit.

This beach was named Domes because there was a nuclear power plant nearby. You can see the dome-shaped top of the building from the beach.

image of a guy surfing in Domes Beach
Surfing Domes Beach. Image courtesy of Spike Chambers

Domes has one of the best point breaks in Puerto Rico.

This spot is very consistent.

The waves are long and hollow. Domes Beach is a gorgeous reef break.

Local Tip: Be careful when you get in and out of the water. The bottom is slippery, and there are a plethora of sea urchins.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Domes Beach:

 

9. Maria’s Beach, Rincón

In 1968 a beach known as Rincón Point hosted the World Surfing Championship.

Rincón Point was later named Maria’s. 

image of Maria's Beach
Maria’s Beach.

Maria’s is one of the most famous surf spots in Puerto Rico.

Maria’s offers a very long right-hand wave breaking over a reef.

Local Top: Maria’s gets crowded. Be patient, and you will have an incredible surfing experience. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Maria’s Beach:

 

10. Tres Palmas, Rincón

Tres Palmas is the most famous beach in Puerto Rico among big wave riders.

image of the big waves at Tres Palmas
Surfing at Tres Palmas.

You have to be an expert to surf in Tres Palmas.

Surfers from different countries come to Rincón to surf the towering waves at this spot.

Check out Surfing in Tres Palmas in the following video:

Tres Palmas is an exposed reef break that produces waves over 25 feet tall.

Local Tip: The lineup is very far and getting there is challenging. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Tres Palmas:

 

FAQ section

Where is the best surfing in Puerto Rico?

The best surfing in Puerto Rico is in the West Area. From Isabela to Rincon.

Does Puerto Rico have good surfing?

Puerto Rico has good surfing for everyone. You can find anything between two foot high waves to learn to surf, all the way to waves that are over twenty feet tall.

Where can beginners surf in Puerto Rico?

Beginners can surf in Jobos, Isabela. In what is called El Bajo, a sandbank where the waves are two to three feet high.

Where are the biggest waves in Puerto Rico?

Tres Palmas in Rincon has the biggest waves in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Local surfer and Ultra Marathon runner Mr. Carlos Miranda told me that the best thing about Tres Palmas is its ability to hold the shape of the wave at any swell size.

 

Final thoughts

Whether you are an experienced surfer or a complete beginner, Puerto Rico is a surfer’s paradise.

Our beaches have warm waters, waves of all sizes, and all three wave breaks.

The best thing about surfing here is the season’s time frame. You can escape the cold weather from November to March.

Final Tips: Some beaches are dangerous at low tide. Be aware of the rip currents. Keep an eye on the reef. Sea urchins are abundant on Puerto Rico’s beaches. Surf only beaches that are suited for your expertise level.

If you have any doubts, ask a local. We are friendly people who share our beaches with tourists.

If you are visiting on a surfing trip, I suggest you fly to Aguadilla’s Rafael Hernandez Airport. The best surfing spots are in the North-West part of Puerto Rico’s main island.

Vanessa Ramos wrote an article about the best 30 best hotels in Puerto Rico, and two of them are very close to these ten surfing spots.

If you are looking for other fun activities to do, then check out our article about the 15 best outdoor activities in Puerto Rico

10 Best Surf Spots In Puerto Rico (2024) – Ultimate Surfing Guide
Article by

Carlos Cubero

Writer at PuertoRico.com. I was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I’m passionate about Puerto Rican history and culture. I live on the west coast of Puerto Rico, and host an Airbnb for tourists. I also coordinate tours and concierge services for tourists. I authored “Eat Like A Local, Puerto Rico”, and have contributed to blogs and magazines with articles about discovering and enjoying what Puerto Rico has to offer.

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