Puerto Rico
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 17mph.
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 17mph.
Best window·Tuesday 7AM–10AM·2-3ft·Fair
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 17mph out of the ENE.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate SSE wind around 8mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 20mph.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on E swell at 7s and moderate SE wind around 9mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 17mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on E swell at 7s with moderate SE wind around 8mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 20mph from the E and dropping conditions to very poor.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on E swell at 5s with light winds out of the SE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 22mph from the E and dropping conditions to very poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when La Bomba turns Good.
Check La Bomba from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 0-1ft with a 4.4s swell period. Wind is ENE at 19mph. 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 La Bomba is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.2ft ENE wind swell swell at 4s, a 0.7ft ENE wind swell swell at 7s, a 0.6ft NNE tertiary swell at 10s. 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 7 AM to 10 AM with 2ft waves, a 4.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
