Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Chatarra, Puerto Rico. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 9mph ESE winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 10mph ESE winds.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 9s with 10mph from the ESE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 8s with 9mph from the ESE. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
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Chatarra is a raw reef break tucked along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico near coordinates 18.4553, -65.9667, facing SSW toward the open Caribbean and Atlantic swell windows. The spot picks up groundswells that wrap around the island's eastern tip, delivering punchy, powerful waves over a shallow reef that rewards experienced surfers with hollow, fast-breaking barrels. Its relative remoteness keeps crowds thin, making it a rewarding find for those willing to seek it out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Chatarra is 1-2ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is ESE at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Chatarra is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.8ft ENE primary swell at 5s, a 1.5ft NE secondary swell at 12s, a 1.4ft ENE tertiary swell at 7s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Chatarra is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Chatarra works best with a N swell and S winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Chatarra. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Chatarra is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Chatarra is a raw reef break tucked along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico near coordinates 18.4553, -65.9667, facing SSW toward the open Caribbean and Atlantic swell windows. The spot picks up groundswells that wrap around the island's eastern tip, delivering punchy, powerful waves over a shallow reef that rewards experienced surfers with hollow, fast-breaking barrels. Its relative remoteness keeps crowds thin, making it a rewarding find for those willing to seek it out.
The prime season at Chatarra is winter, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Chatarra include shallow reef, sharp coral, strong currents, remote location, sea urchins. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Chatarra forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
