Hi all, I am heading to San Juan PR next week for work, and wondered if any could recommend a surf rental shop, or a nice break in San Juan. I will be staying at the Marriott Courtyard in Isla Verde. Thanks in advance! SM
I almost went there but instead went to Rincon in the end. But what I heard from others is that La Ocho is the spot to check out there, surf shop right there and everything.
la ocho. only other place to surf in san jaun is sketchy and fun.. la perla. kind of hidden, have to walk through projects and cemetary. then jump off urchin covered reef...and get beack by climbing the same reef as waves pound it. lots of cudas and sharks from what ive heard. i was only gringo with one local out. worth it as la ocho is fun but the 1/4 mile pddle gets old after a few days.
La Pared is pretty nice also. It's a little east of San Juan. It's a sand break w tubes. A bunch of kiosk bars next to the road where it is. Cheap beer n food with a few breaks. Rent a car it will make surfing better breaks easier to get to. There is a bunch of breaks around San Juan not listed on maps as well. Have fun it's a great place to hang. If ya got the time go west. Options get better. Jobos, middles, surfers etc. everyone we ran into was kind and helpful. Don't leave anything in vehicle at the beach. We never had an issue but I leave windows down n empty. I ll be in rincon end of oct. Enjoy!
La Ocho didn't look like much, but once I finally got out it was head high with some sneaker head high+ sets. The crowd was mellow though, and hard to pick the waves out between everone else, there was really only one little take off spot near the big rock
splains that, lucy. I looked everywhere for la perla, no luck. Looking down from the fortress walls though I could see some seriously pitting waves that may or may not have been make-able. Like, it's not makeable until someone survives it in a photo and then it's a surf spot type place. I had good fun at the break wall in condado, though I heard it is a rare occasion for it to barrel and run as it was the time I surfed it. Super fast, sketchy, hollow, and nobody out but a couple body boarders and tourists trying to drown themselves. Tons of water moving around and a bad backwash between tides. Disclaimer: I have never been this time of year and aside from "wait until thanksgiving" I have no real advice to offer, sorry.
You didn't say what kind of waves you are looking for and your comfort level (e.g., reefs vs. sand bars, o/h+ vs. under 5-foot). There are some easy options from where you will be in Isla Verde. Sorry, can't help you on surf shops. La Ocho can be fun if you get an early start in the morning (La Ocho surf shop is nearby).
Just go to pine grove off of the ritz - it will not be clasic be will be fun - locals were really cool just dont drop in and give them sets - lota of local food around as well that give real pr flavor QUOTE=rodndtube;188026]You didn't say what kind of waves you are looking for and your comfort level (e.g., reefs vs. sand bars, o/h+ vs. under 5-foot). There are some easy options from where you will be in Isla Verde. Sorry, can't help you on surf shops. La Ocho can be fun if you get an early start in the morning (La Ocho surf shop is nearby).[/QUOTE]
Surfed La Ocho (also called parada ocho or bus stop 8) in December 1999. Had a great time! Paddle out is long, but worth it. I would go there again in a heartbeat!
If the winds are calm go to aviones. Fun peak left and right, real shallow on the paddle out and there is also a conveyor belt current. Bring your paddle game. When the locals yell dale', go, its yours.
Thanks everyone for your input... will def check out La Ocho early, then maybe get adventurous in the afternoon and try something else! Cheers!
Hey Rodndtube, Looking for easy access. As mentioned, staying in Isla Verde, so looking to catch some easy waves in the morning, and in the afternoon once done with work. Only going to be a couple days, so stoke factor doesn't have to be out of this world, LOL. I mean, I am use to Cocoa, and S. FL waves, so call it what you will.
Hey Mac You'll be fine at la Ochoa. Just a little paddle out. Look into la pared to the east if ya got the time. It's a beach break with tubes if ur lucky. Make sure ya get some mofongo. It's a local dish. Have fun n don't work too hard.
Pine Grove (beach break) in Isla Verde is your easiest access. East of there in Piñones is Aviones but probably not your best bet for a number of reasons. Outside of Pine Grove (NW) outside the puntilla is a little outcropping that goes by various names. Some shallow coral but can be fun. This isn't the forgiving type shell reef that is in Satellite Beach La Ocho can be fun -- lots of peaks. There are other spots between Pine Grove and La Ocho but most of them are rather dirty water and higher probability of car damage (theft). Respect the bodyboarders down in PR or you might be in for a surprise.
If you have time to drive east to Luquillo's La Pared then add a couple of hours for some real nice surfing and Island vibe at La Selva. Long walk in, don't leave valuable in the car or the beach. You won't be disappointed. La Pared and Pine Grove are the two breaks that were my gremaso learning spots on my old Hobie 9'4".
Don't worry about waves while your there. Just pass the time by eating loads of empanadas and pincho's(you know, the chicken on a stick with a piece of bread) mmmmm... Worth the trip alone and go to the Lebanese bakery in Rincon, you wont be disappointed. Bring me back some girlfriend cake. Sh*t is good. But if your in the area, paddle out at Tres Palmas.. There always 23 footers breaking there. Its a popular Hindu vacation trap. But seriously, if theres not much surf, go snorkeling or diving.. for 3 months in 2005, I mapped out like 2 miles of Rincon's reef's from Dome's to Tres Palmas for the Surfrider foundation. Some awesome things to see, and it will give you a good understanding of bathymetry. Also there is some dope scuba out at Desecheo, that island you can see from shore in Rincon. Go with Taino Divers. They are some cool ass dudes. They told me some cool stories of scuba diving at night on mushrooms with sea turtles.
