Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cueva del Indio, 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 13mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with moderate ESE wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 21mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 7mph from the ESE. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 23mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 8mph ESE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 22mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 9mph ESE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 25mph.
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Cueva del Indio is a raw and dramatic reef break located along the rugged limestone coastline of Puerto Rico's north shore, near Arecibo. The spot faces south toward the land, meaning it actually picks up northerly Atlantic swells that wrap and refract around the rocky headlands and caves carved into the coastline, producing powerful and unpredictable waves. Its remote, cave-laden terrain makes it a unique and visually stunning surf destination, though the technical rock-strewn lineup demands respect from experienced surfers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cueva del Indio is 1-2ft with a 11.6s swell period. Wind is E at 11mph 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 Cueva del Indio is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.7ft NE 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 Cueva del Indio is Tuesday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.25s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cueva del Indio 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 Cueva del Indio. 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.
Cueva del Indio is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Cueva del Indio is a raw and dramatic reef break located along the rugged limestone coastline of Puerto Rico's north shore, near Arecibo. The spot faces south toward the land, meaning it actually picks up northerly Atlantic swells that wrap and refract around the rocky headlands and caves carved into the coastline, producing powerful and unpredictable waves. Its remote, cave-laden terrain makes it a unique and visually stunning surf destination, though the technical rock-strewn lineup demands respect from experienced surfers.
The prime season at Cueva del Indio 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 Cueva del Indio include sharp rocks, shallow reef, unpredictable swell refraction, strong currents, difficult access, caves and cliff edges. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cueva del Indio 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.
