Puerto Rico
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at El Cocal, 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: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 15mph E winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate ENE wind around 13mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph E winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph ESE winds.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 10mph from the ESE.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
El Cocal is a fun beach break located on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico near Yabucoa, facing northwest and picking up North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island's eastern tip. The spot offers punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers who can read the shifting sandbars, with waves that can get surprisingly powerful during winter north swells. Its relative seclusion compared to Puerto Rico's more famous surf destinations makes it a rewarding find for those willing to explore the island's less-traveled coastline.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at El Cocal is 1-2ft with a 5.7s swell period. Wind is E at 15mph 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 El Cocal is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.2ft ESE primary swell at 11s, a 3.4ft ESE 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 El Cocal is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
El Cocal 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 El Cocal. 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.
El Cocal is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. El Cocal is a fun beach break located on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico near Yabucoa, facing northwest and picking up North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island's eastern tip. The spot offers punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers who can read the shifting sandbars, with waves that can get surprisingly powerful during winter north swells. Its relative seclusion compared to Puerto Rico's more famous surf destinations makes it a rewarding find for those willing to explore the island's less-traveled coastline.
The prime season at El Cocal 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 El Cocal include strong currents, shifting sandbars, rocks on inside, occasional jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our El Cocal 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.
