Puerto Rico
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Inches for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the E.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 10mph from the E.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 10mph from the E.
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 2-4ft with a 5.15s swell period. Wind is E at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Inches is 2-4ft, produced by a 0.2ft SE primary swell at 10s, a 3.1ft 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 Inches is Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
