Puerto Rico
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 13mph E winds.
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 13mph E winds.
Best window·Tuesday 9AM–12PM·2-3ft·Fair
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ENE swell at 4s with 13mph E winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 1-2ft waves, 9mph ESE winds, poor conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor at 2-3ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate SE wind around 7mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on E swell at 4s. The ESE wind builds to around 14mph by afternoon.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Chatarra turns Good.
Check Chatarra from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 0-1ft with a 4.4s swell period. Wind is E at 13mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Chatarra is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.2ft ENE wind swell swell at 4s, a 0.6ft ENE wind swell swell at 7s, a 0.6ft NNE tertiary swell at 10s. 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 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.2s swell period, and conditions rated 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
