Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cibuco, 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, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with strong E wind at 17mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with gentle SE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle SE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle SE breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 14s 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.
Cibuco is a rivermouth break on the north coast of Puerto Rico, located where the Río Cibuco meets the Atlantic Ocean near Vega Baja. The spot picks up north and northwest groundswells generated by winter Atlantic storms, producing fun, punchy waves that can barrel nicely when the sandbars align after river outflow shapes the bottom. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for surfers willing to explore beyond Puerto Rico's more famous northern breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cibuco is 0-1ft with a 5.2s swell period. Wind is E at 17mph 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 Cibuco is 0-1ft, produced by a 4.3ft 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 Cibuco is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 12.6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cibuco works best with a N swell and SE 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 Cibuco. 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.
Cibuco is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cibuco is a rivermouth break on the north coast of Puerto Rico, located where the Río Cibuco meets the Atlantic Ocean near Vega Baja. The spot picks up north and northwest groundswells generated by winter Atlantic storms, producing fun, punchy waves that can barrel nicely when the sandbars align after river outflow shapes the bottom. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for surfers willing to explore beyond Puerto Rico's more famous northern breaks.
The prime season at Cibuco 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 Cibuco include strong currents, shifting sandbars, river outflow after heavy rain, water quality concerns after rainfall, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cibuco 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.
