Puerto Rico's northwest beaches attract surfers from around the world. Called the "Hawaii of the East," Puerto Rico has hosted a number of international competitions. October through February are the best surfing months, but the sport is enjoyed in Puerto Rico from August through April. The most popular areas are from Isabela to Rincón -- at beaches such as Wilderness, Middles, Jobos, Crashboat, Las Marías, and the Spanish Wall.
There are surf spots across the entire north coast from San Juan to the northwest, including Los Tubos in Vega Baja.
San Juan itself has great surfing spots, including La 8, just outside of Old San Juan in Puerta de Tierra, near Escambrón Beach, which has some of the largest waves. Pine Grove in Isla Verde is a great spot to learn, because of the small, steady, well-formed waves there.
International competitions held in Puerto Rico have included the 1968 and 1988 World Amateur Surfing Championships and the annual Caribbean Cup Surfing Championship. Currently, Corona sponsors an annual competition circuit taking place in Isabela and Rincón.
If you want to learn to surf, or perfect your technique while in Puerto Rico, it's quite easy.
Operating right near the Ritz-Carlton and Courtyard Marriott hotels in Isla Verde, the best surf lessons are given by professional surfer William Sue-A-Quan at his Walking on Water Surfing School (tel. 787/955-6059; www.gosurfpr.com). He and a few associates work right on the beach at Pine Grove and also offer lessons through the Ritz-Carlton. He's a great teacher, and takes on students as young as 5 and as old as 75.
Rincón also has many surf schools, some of which book packages including lodgings.
The Rincón Surf School (P.O. Box 1333, Rincón; tel. 787/823-0610) offers beginners lessons and weeklong packages. Puntas Surf School (P.O. Box 4319, HC-01 Calle Vista del Mar; tel. 787/823-3618 or 207/251-1154) is another good option, run by Melissa Taylor and Bill Woodward.
Group lessons (for four) start at $35 per hour; private $45.
Board rentals are available at many island surf shops, with prices starting at $25 a day.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
