Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Chatarra, Puerto Rico. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 7mph from the E.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 11mph from the ESE.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 10mph from the ESE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Chatarra is a raw reef break tucked along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico near coordinates 18.4553, -65.9667, facing SSW toward the open Caribbean and Atlantic swell windows. The spot picks up groundswells that wrap around the island's eastern tip, delivering punchy, powerful waves over a shallow reef that rewards experienced surfers with hollow, fast-breaking barrels. Its relative remoteness keeps crowds thin, making it a rewarding find for those willing to seek it out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Chatarra is 0-1ft with a 5.9s swell period. Wind is E at 14mph 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 Chatarra is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.6ft NE primary swell at 8s, a 3.4ft ENE 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 Chatarra is Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 2ft waves, a 12.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Chatarra 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 Chatarra. 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.
Chatarra is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Chatarra is a raw reef break tucked along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico near coordinates 18.4553, -65.9667, facing SSW toward the open Caribbean and Atlantic swell windows. The spot picks up groundswells that wrap around the island's eastern tip, delivering punchy, powerful waves over a shallow reef that rewards experienced surfers with hollow, fast-breaking barrels. Its relative remoteness keeps crowds thin, making it a rewarding find for those willing to seek it out.
The prime season at Chatarra 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 Chatarra include shallow reef, sharp coral, strong currents, remote location, sea urchins. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Chatarra 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.
