Puerto Rico
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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 6s with strong E wind at 13mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 6s and moderate E wind around 12mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on E swell at 9s with 13mph E winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 9s and 11mph E winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
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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 1-2ft with a 5.75s swell period. Wind is E at 13mph 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 El Cocal is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.5ft E primary swell at 7s, a 2.6ft SE wind swell swell at 6s. 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 3 PM to 6 PM with 3ft waves, a 6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
