Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Inches, 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: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 11mph E winds.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 10mph from the ENE.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate E wind around 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 10mph ENE winds.
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Inches is one of the best left points in Puerto Rico, located on the south coast near Patillas where the reef produces barrels that can peel for 100+ yards on a good day. The name comes from both the typically small wave size (it's inconsistent) and the inches of water depth over the sharp coral reef. Works primarily on SE and S hurricane swells during summer/fall. Fire coral is a serious hazard — booties and a reef-safe approach are essential.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Inches is 0-1ft with a 5.75s 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 Inches is 0-1ft, 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 Inches is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 0ft waves, a 5.75s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Inches works best with a S swell and N 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 Inches. 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.
Inches is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Inches is one of the best left points in Puerto Rico, located on the south coast near Patillas where the reef produces barrels that can peel for 100+ yards on a good day. The name comes from both the typically small wave size (it's inconsistent) and the inches of water depth over the sharp coral reef. Works primarily on SE and S hurricane swells during summer/fall. Fire coral is a serious hazard — booties and a reef-safe approach are essential.
The prime season at Inches is summer, 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 Inches include fire coral, extremely shallow reef, sea urchins, strong currents, crowds on south swells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Inches 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.
