Puerto Rico
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Chatarra for the cleanest windows.
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on NNE swell at 9s with calm winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 11mph from the ESE.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate E wind around 11mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ENE swell at 5s and gentle ESE breeze. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and very poor by then.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 7mph SE winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
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 1-2ft with a 5.05s swell period. Wind is E at 13mph 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 Chatarra is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.8ft NNE primary swell at 11s, a 0.4ft N secondary swell at 7s, a 0.3ft N tertiary swell at 8s, a 3.3ft ENE 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 Chatarra is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.25s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
