Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at La Bomba, 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: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 5s with barely a breath of wind. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on NE swell at 10s with 7mph SE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on ENE swell at 8s and moderate ESE wind around 8mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Tue, May 19: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on ENE swell at 9s with moderate ESE wind around 8mph. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on ENE swell at 8s with light ESE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
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La Bomba is a powerful reef break located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico near the Dorado area, facing SSW and picking up swells that wrap around the island's geography. The spot is known for delivering hollow, fast-breaking waves that can produce heavy barrels when conditions align, making it a favorite among experienced Puerto Rican surfers seeking quality reef performance. Its exposed orientation means it can light up with consistency during winter North Atlantic swells, rewarding those willing to navigate its challenging setup.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at La Bomba is 2-3ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is E at 8mph 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 La Bomba is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.8ft ENE primary swell at 5s, a 1.5ft NE secondary swell at 12s, a 1.4ft ENE tertiary swell at 7s. 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 La Bomba is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
La Bomba works best with a N swell and S 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 La Bomba. 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.
La Bomba is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to advanced surfers. La Bomba is a powerful reef break located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico near the Dorado area, facing SSW and picking up swells that wrap around the island's geography. The spot is known for delivering hollow, fast-breaking waves that can produce heavy barrels when conditions align, making it a favorite among experienced Puerto Rican surfers seeking quality reef performance. Its exposed orientation means it can light up with consistency during winter North Atlantic swells, rewarding those willing to navigate its challenging setup.
The prime season at La Bomba 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 La Bomba include shallow reef, strong currents, sharp coral, localism, unpredictable sets. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our La Bomba 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.
