Catching the swells this summer

With water being integral to Puerto Rico, it is but natural that surfing began in the area as early as the 1950s. It took very little time for it to grow in popularity and was soon noticed on the international scenario as well. Today, it enjoys one of the top positions in the Caribbean sector for surfing. What works in its favor is the fact that Puerto Rico gets high quality surf on most of its coats even during summer. The main sector for surfing in Puerto Rico remains however, the north and northwest coasts, especially during winter.

The two main surfing spots are Aguadilla and Rincón, both of which are placed on the northwest coast. While Aguadilla is placed on the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico, it brings into the area most of the north and northwest swells. Rincón is on the western coast and is a bit more interior and underexposed compared to Aguadilla. The swells here however are much bigger since it takes up the westerly angle in order for it to break. And when it does break, it is one of the biggest of waves around.

Surfing in Puerto Rico is best between late summer and early spring. The best of swells are during the hurricane season where large storms move from the west coast of Africa and come here. In the winters, the swells are caused from the cold fronts as well as the low-pressure systems that gradually move from the eastern seaboard of the US coast.

The only issue with surfing in Puerto Rico is that it can get crowded with surfing enthusiasts. It would be best to get there early and stake your claim on a spot. While summers may not be that bad, it is the winters that can be really jam-packed with people. Surfing here can be done with any form of waterborne crafts that you may have such as surf boards, boogie boards as well as body surfing, stand-up paddle boards. You almost have Hawaii recreated for it, at this time of the year.

What is perhaps the biggest advantage for surfers coming in from the USA is the ease of entry into the country. You will not need any passport or have to worry about currency exchanges. It's a hop-skip and a jump away by flight for those who may be on the eastern seaboard. The lure of the crystal clear water and the availability of good surfing opportunities through the year makes it a great vacationing spot for everyone.