Puerto Rico
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at El Cocal for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at El Cocal, 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: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 11mph E winds.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 11mph from the ESE.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with 12mph E winds.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Expect 1-2ft waves early on SE swell at 5s.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and very poor with moderate E wind around 10mph.
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 El Cocal turns Good.
Check El Cocal from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
El Cocal is a fun beach break located on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico near Yabucoa, facing northwest and picking up North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island's eastern tip. The spot offers punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers who can read the shifting sandbars, with waves that can get surprisingly powerful during winter north swells. Its relative seclusion compared to Puerto Rico's more famous surf destinations makes it a rewarding find for those willing to explore the island's less-traveled coastline.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at El Cocal is 0-1ft with a 4.6s swell period. Wind is E at 11mph. 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 El Cocal is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.5ft ESE 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 El Cocal is Monday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 1ft waves, a 5.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
El Cocal 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 El Cocal. 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.
El Cocal is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. El Cocal is a fun beach break located on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico near Yabucoa, facing northwest and picking up North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island's eastern tip. The spot offers punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers who can read the shifting sandbars, with waves that can get surprisingly powerful during winter north swells. Its relative seclusion compared to Puerto Rico's more famous surf destinations makes it a rewarding find for those willing to explore the island's less-traveled coastline.
The prime season at El Cocal 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 El Cocal include strong currents, shifting sandbars, rocks on inside, occasional jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our El Cocal 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).
