San Juan - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May & September - October)

During these months, the percentage of offshore or light wind conditions peaks, offering the cleanest surfaces despite the small easterly swell. The average wave height hovers around 0.7-0.8m with periods of 5.9-6.1s, making for fun, groveling conditions on log-style equipment. Although the swell direction remains unfavorably from the east, the lighter winds allow for a decent rideable wave, especially at mid-tide.

Fair Surf Season (November - April)

Winter and early spring bring slightly larger average swell heights (0.8-0.9m) thanks to distant North Atlantic storms, but the dominant easterly wind regime often kicks up onshore chop. Only about 20-25% of the time do we get favorable winds, making it a gamble. The infrequent cold front passage can deliver a brief window of north-northwest swell and southerly offshore winds, but those days are rare and require careful timing.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer sees the strongest easterly trade winds, blowing directly onshore and creating bumpy, messy conditions. Swell remains small (0.8-0.9m) and dominated by short-period easterly energy. With ideal wind percentages dropping to 18-22% in July and August, this is the slowest period for quality surf. June offers a slight uptick in favorable wind, but overall it's a time for small waves and wind protection strategies.

August: Stubborn Onshore Wind and Weak Swell

August continues the summer slump with an average swell of 0.8m and the shortest average period of the year at 5.9s. Swell is split between E (43.8%) and ESE (48.7%), with a slight increase in SE (5.2%) and a tiny hint of SSE and S swell. Wave heights are predominantly 0.5-1m (79.7% of total). The wind remains stubbornly onshore: E (46.9%) and ESE (26.9%) dominate, with 11.4% of winds in the 20-30kph range from ENE/E. Ideal wind percentage is 22%, a minor improvement over July. However, the short-period, east-southeast swell combined with onshore wind results in mostly disorganized, weak waves. An occasional tropical wave can deliver a pulse of longer-period swell, but it is rare.