General Surf Beach Information For Rincon, PR
The principal surfing beaches in Rincon PR are listed below from south to north. Remember that winter and summer conditions differ dramatically. For instance, the best snorkeling spot in the calmer summer months is The Stairs, which is right next to the strongest surf break in the winter, Tres Palmas. Call one of the surf shops to get the latest conditions or just hop in your car and judge for yourself. Check our map to find these beach locations.
Tres Palmas
The best surfing spot in the Caribbean. Waves sometimes up to 25 ft. during winter and beyond break about mi. out, drawing big-name surfers and accompanying film crews. Experienced surfers only.
Toilet Bowl With a strong undertow and lots of washout, the surf at this corner of Dogman's will pull you under as a toilet bowl would.
Dogman's
A shallow beach with fast, well-formed waves. Better for more advanced surfers. A local favorite.
Maria's
A popular break right underneath Calypso Cafe. The waves break relatively close to the shore here, so you won't have to paddle out much. Attracts the biggest crowds, but not very beginner-friendly. The Point is the beginning of Maria's toward the right and is only distinguished from it when the surf is low. When Maria's is big, a wave can run from here through Dogman's. The Pistons is a portion of Maria's named after the shipwreck's engine pistons that remain lodged in the water. The prominent pistons can be dangerous if you get caught up in them. Experienced surfers only.
Indicators
Located under the lighthouse, this break is rocky and shallow, has stinging sea urchins, and only attracts locals.
Dead Man's
No, it's not folklore: this beach was actually named after the dead bodies that have washed up here. This is an advanced break right against a perilous cliff.
Domes
One of the most popular and consistent breaks in the Rincon area. Can get extremely crowded, since it is beginner-friendly. Located in front of the nuclear reactor.
Spanish Wall
A shallow break that requires walking from the Domes parking lot along an old wall. Popular with local bodyboarders.
Pools
At the turn in Rte. 413, marked by Pools Guest House. Right-hand waves break quickly across this shallow, uncrowded spot, but don't ride the wave for too long or you'll hit the big rocks on the right.
Antonio's Beach
(a.k.a Parking Lots) Located in front of the parking lot at Casa Islena. Best surfed in the morning. Beginner-friendly.
River Mouth
The most difficult to access of the Rincon breaks. Only gets big during the winter. Two sandy breaks formed by the sand bars at a river's mouth. Requires walking east along the shore from Antonio's Beach.
Sandy Beach
Come early in the morning to beat the crowds. A sandy bottom and consistent waves make this a good place for beginners and boogie boarders.
Little Malibu
Even more fickle than Tres Palmas, Little Malibu needs a big Northwest swell to start breaking. But, don't let the name fool you, this is not a Caribbean sequel to the mushy, longboard wave found in Southern California. Little Malibu is a very hollow and speedy righthander that breaks over sharp coral in very shallow water. When breaking, its typically littered with bodyboarders or surfers looking for speedy tubes.
Please respect the locals, have fun and surf responsibly!
Tres Palmas
The best surfing spot in the Caribbean. Waves sometimes up to 25 ft. during winter and beyond break about mi. out, drawing big-name surfers and accompanying film crews. Experienced surfers only.
Toilet Bowl With a strong undertow and lots of washout, the surf at this corner of Dogman's will pull you under as a toilet bowl would.
Dogman's
A shallow beach with fast, well-formed waves. Better for more advanced surfers. A local favorite.
Maria's
A popular break right underneath Calypso Cafe. The waves break relatively close to the shore here, so you won't have to paddle out much. Attracts the biggest crowds, but not very beginner-friendly. The Point is the beginning of Maria's toward the right and is only distinguished from it when the surf is low. When Maria's is big, a wave can run from here through Dogman's. The Pistons is a portion of Maria's named after the shipwreck's engine pistons that remain lodged in the water. The prominent pistons can be dangerous if you get caught up in them. Experienced surfers only.
Indicators
Located under the lighthouse, this break is rocky and shallow, has stinging sea urchins, and only attracts locals.
Dead Man's
No, it's not folklore: this beach was actually named after the dead bodies that have washed up here. This is an advanced break right against a perilous cliff.
Domes
One of the most popular and consistent breaks in the Rincon area. Can get extremely crowded, since it is beginner-friendly. Located in front of the nuclear reactor.
Spanish Wall
A shallow break that requires walking from the Domes parking lot along an old wall. Popular with local bodyboarders.
Pools
At the turn in Rte. 413, marked by Pools Guest House. Right-hand waves break quickly across this shallow, uncrowded spot, but don't ride the wave for too long or you'll hit the big rocks on the right.
Antonio's Beach
(a.k.a Parking Lots) Located in front of the parking lot at Casa Islena. Best surfed in the morning. Beginner-friendly.
River Mouth
The most difficult to access of the Rincon breaks. Only gets big during the winter. Two sandy breaks formed by the sand bars at a river's mouth. Requires walking east along the shore from Antonio's Beach.
Sandy Beach
Come early in the morning to beat the crowds. A sandy bottom and consistent waves make this a good place for beginners and boogie boarders.
Little Malibu
Even more fickle than Tres Palmas, Little Malibu needs a big Northwest swell to start breaking. But, don't let the name fool you, this is not a Caribbean sequel to the mushy, longboard wave found in Southern California. Little Malibu is a very hollow and speedy righthander that breaks over sharp coral in very shallow water. When breaking, its typically littered with bodyboarders or surfers looking for speedy tubes.
Please respect the locals, have fun and surf responsibly!
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