Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Gas Chambers, 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: flat–flatft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Sun, May 17: flat–flatft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with 9mph from the ESE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Mon, May 18: flat–flatft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Tue, May 19: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Wed, May 20: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with 11mph E winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 18mph.
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Gas Chambers is one of the heaviest waves in Puerto Rico, producing world-class barreling tubes when it breaks — which only happens 5-8 times per year on major NW swells. Named for the churning whitewater effect inside the barrel, this expert-only reef break is located near the pier at Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla. Wave heights of 6-20 feet over shallow reef and rock make this one of the most dangerous and rewarding waves in the Caribbean.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Gas Chambers is Flat with a 11.65s swell period. Wind is E at 9mph 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 Gas Chambers is Flat, produced by a 1.4ft NE primary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft NE secondary swell at 12s, a 0.7ft N tertiary swell at 8s, a 0.5ft E wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Gas Chambers is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 0ft waves, a 6.15s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Gas Chambers works best with a NW 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 Gas Chambers. 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.
Gas Chambers is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to expert surfers. Gas Chambers is one of the heaviest waves in Puerto Rico, producing world-class barreling tubes when it breaks — which only happens 5-8 times per year on major NW swells. Named for the churning whitewater effect inside the barrel, this expert-only reef break is located near the pier at Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla. Wave heights of 6-20 feet over shallow reef and rock make this one of the most dangerous and rewarding waves in the Caribbean.
The prime season at Gas Chambers 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 Gas Chambers include shallow reef, sharp coral, strong currents, heavy wipeouts, localism, rocks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Gas Chambers 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.
