Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Tres Palmas, 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, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 4mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and poor with gentle ESE breeze.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light E winds.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the E.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the E.
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Tres Palmas is the premier big-wave spot in the Caribbean, an outer reef break that doesn't even begin breaking until swells reach double-overhead (8+ foot faces) and can hold 20-30 foot waves. Located just offshore from Steps Beach, the reef's proximity to the Puerto Rico Trench — the deepest point in the Atlantic, 30 miles away — helps focus long-period swells into massive peaks. Protected as Reserva Marina Tres Palmas since 2004, this is strictly expert territory with three distinct reef sections.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Tres Palmas is 1-2ft with a 10.6s swell period. Wind is SE at 1mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Tres Palmas is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft S primary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft NNE secondary swell at 5s, a 0.9ft NE tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Tres Palmas is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 5.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Tres Palmas works best with a NW swell and NE 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 Tres Palmas. 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.
Tres Palmas is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to expert surfers. Tres Palmas is the premier big-wave spot in the Caribbean, an outer reef break that doesn't even begin breaking until swells reach double-overhead (8+ foot faces) and can hold 20-30 foot waves. Located just offshore from Steps Beach, the reef's proximity to the Puerto Rico Trench — the deepest point in the Atlantic, 30 miles away — helps focus long-period swells into massive peaks. Protected as Reserva Marina Tres Palmas since 2004, this is strictly expert territory with three distinct reef sections.
The prime season at Tres Palmas 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 Tres Palmas include shallow reef, strong currents, heavy wipeouts, sea urchins, localism, large surf. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Tres Palmas 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.
