Puerto Rico
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Cibuco for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Wed, Jul 1: flat–flatft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with gentle ESE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with gentle SE breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle SE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
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 0-1ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is E at 11mph and 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 Cibuco is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.3ft ENE primary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft NNE secondary swell at 9s, a 1.6ft ENE wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4.75s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
