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.

November: Slide Back to Winter Patterns

November sees the average swell increase slightly to 0.8m and period steady at 6.0s. Swell begins to shift back toward more east-northeast directions: E (46%) and ESE (37.5%) still dominate, but ENE increases to 8.4% and NE to 1.1%. Wave heights mostly in the 0.5-1m range (67% of total), with a small fraction of 1-1.5m (7.8%). Wind patterns become more easterly and stronger: ideal wind percentage drops to 24%. The dominant winds are E (31.9%) and ENE (20.6%), with increased 20-30kph gusts. Offshore winds from the south are almost nonexistent (combined ~1.5%). November is a return to onshore, choppy conditions, though the slight increase in north-easterly swell direction offers a minimal improvement in wave angle.