Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cibuco, 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: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ENE swell at 7s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle ESE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on NE swell at 9s and gentle ESE breeze. The ENE wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
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Cibuco is a rivermouth break on the north coast of Puerto Rico, located where the Río Cibuco meets the Atlantic Ocean near Vega Baja. The spot picks up north and northwest groundswells generated by winter Atlantic storms, producing fun, punchy waves that can barrel nicely when the sandbars align after river outflow shapes the bottom. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for surfers willing to explore beyond Puerto Rico's more famous northern breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cibuco is 2-3ft with a 11.6s swell period. Wind is E at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cibuco is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft ENE primary swell at 7s, a 1.4ft NE secondary swell at 12s, a 0.9ft NNW tertiary swell at 8s. 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 Cibuco is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cibuco works best with a N swell and SE 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 Cibuco. 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.
Cibuco is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cibuco is a rivermouth break on the north coast of Puerto Rico, located where the Río Cibuco meets the Atlantic Ocean near Vega Baja. The spot picks up north and northwest groundswells generated by winter Atlantic storms, producing fun, punchy waves that can barrel nicely when the sandbars align after river outflow shapes the bottom. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for surfers willing to explore beyond Puerto Rico's more famous northern breaks.
The prime season at Cibuco 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 Cibuco include strong currents, shifting sandbars, river outflow after heavy rain, water quality concerns after rainfall, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cibuco 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.
