guilt tripped the wife and now have a few days in PR pretty close to la ocho. I have surfed the right a handful of times but didn't ever see the left on the east side of the rock working. ive read and heard that the left can barrel and is pretty shallow... even seeen it named "little fiji" on one map. anyone surf this or have any closeby breaks i might not know about (other than la perla). Thanks
Don't go there. Other places in San Juan: Aviones La Punta La Islita Pine Grove Tocones and if you don't mind paddling for a long time, Caballos and Puntas (Punta las Marias). Its all going to depend on swell and wind, but if very windy and very big, only Pine Grove (and maybe La Islita) will work. If no wind and big swell, Caballos or La Perla. The spot you mention, Fiji, works best on north or north west swells, not great on northeast or east swells and not at all if its onshore and windy. If you're looking for am expert barreling wave, the only one in San Juan is Chatarra. Chatarra, Aviones and Tocones are (in that order) on the same stretch of beach if you follow the road behind the airport. Be very respectful of the locals in Chatarra (if it is working at all). It is an expert spot and if you act like a kook you will be run off the water.
Thanks for the input. Are any of these places within walking distance of condado? Im not renting a car.
Within walking distance from Condado hotels: La Punta(La Bomba) at the end of Nairn Street in front of St. John's School (or Next to Ashford Presbyterian Hospital) Sheraton is at the end of Condado Av behind the Marriot Hotel. Beware the rip current east of the rocks at Sheraton. http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Central_America/Puerto_Rico/la_bomba/ http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Central_America/Puerto_Rico/Sheraton/
Im going to make a point and see if I can make it to aviones since it looks punchy and fun as well as look at these spots. when I have stayed here before, I saw no surf in condado and was forced to go to La ocho. I will be checking theforecast asd it comes but all of this is good knowledge. Have you ever paddeled to la punta? is that work?>
There is no paddle necessary to la punta. It is right off the beach. The paddle would be from la punta (which is also known as la bomba) to the outside reef which I think is generally known as sunset.
I was watching the game, but since it is such a blowout, I took the time to draw this up which might make more sense...it is about 1km to any of the outside reefs (0.6-0.75 miles). I wouldn't do it by myself JIC something happens, but if there's paddleboarders out or you have some longboard friends... ...in any case, it sounds like you would be happiest at Aviones, La Bomba or La Corona.
It's a fun wave. Shallow paddle thru the rocks. The takeoff in front of the rock is the easiest spot to get into the wave. If you are exeperienced then find someone already over there and give them a smile. They might tell you where to sit and share a great session with you. It worked for me when I lived there. Good luck.
Chattara is a very intense wave. Its very shallow and dangerous even when it looks small and perfect. PR has some really gnarly reefs.
What a blowout!.. Thanks again for all of your help. This is awesome. The outside reef seems to far for a shortboard paddle as the la ocho paddle is about .25 miles and really long. maybe I will rent a paddleboard if anything for it. I am staying right next to la bomba/la punta and hope that that place works. I think I remember looking at it before and seeing nothing ridable so I guess it depends on swell that day. I am going to make a point to surf aviones but am wondering how the hell to get a cab there and back. I guess Ill figure it out. Thanks to all for the help. I am so pumped to go, last time I was supposed to go a family incident kept me from going. Couldn't listen to salsa music for the last 2 years on my pandora. Tito puente is on in the ear buds right now.
