787dailyPuerto Rico, en inglés
Morning Brief

On the Water · Sailing

Sailing and boating in Puerto Rico

Steady trade winds most of the year, short hops to Culebra, Vieques and the Virgin Islands, and a hurricane season to plan around. Here is what the water is like by month, where to tie up, and the rules that catch visitors out.

Plan a trip

  • Marinas

    Marinas, clubs and landings: slips, depth, fuel, lift, VHF, hurricane notes.

  • Anchorages

    Anchorages and the DRNA mooring fields, with a calm-in-this-wind filter.

  • Passages

    A map of the passages to the islands, with the hours at your speed.

  • Boating rules

    Licenses, ages, 5 mph zones, CBP arrival reports, reserves.

  • Charters and day sails

    Bareboat, day sails and sailing schools, with dated prices.

  • Regattas

    The federation's 2026–27 calendar.

Marinas at their published positions; anchorages at their guide point.A ring is approximate: the area, not the spot.

Measured wind now

  • San JuanOld San Juan, on the bayNo reading yetIts direction reads south of the true trade wind: the station's siting.
  • Puerto del ReyFajardo and CeibaNo reading yet
  • CulebraCulebra, in the open trade windNo reading yet
  • Jobos BayPozuelo, Jobos Bay and SalinasNo reading yet
  • Vieques Sound buoyVieques SoundNo reading yet

Station readings, not conditions at a beach. From CariCOOS, NOAA buoys and the National Weather Service.

Waves at the buoys now

Station readings, not conditions at a beach. From CariCOOS, NOAA buoys and the National Weather Service.

What the water is like

From NOAA's Coast Pilot, the official sailing directions for Puerto Rico.

NE to SE, 80% of the timeAll year, from the Coast Pilot
Trade wind by hourSummer trades build through the day

30%of the time

17 to 33 ktHow often the wind blows this hard, all year

Through the year

  • SummerEasterlies dominate
  • Nov to AprNortheast the second direction, giving way to southeast in spring
  • Dec to Feb"Christmas winds": strong breezes and north seas (local usage; the weather service has no formal definition)

When weather passes

  • Winter cold frontBacks the wind to the south, then southwest, northwest and northeast as it passes
  • Easterly waveEast-northeast wind ahead of it, east-southeast behind

West coast the afternoon sea breeze opposes the trades and weakens them; everywhere else it adds to them.

Rough water, how often

AreaWind over 33 ktWaves over 9 ftThunder
Off northern Puerto Rico0.2% (Sep and Dec 0.3%)1.4% (Dec 3.1%)1.9% (Oct 5.4%)
Off Vieques0.1% (Nov 0.3%)0.6% (Dec 2.1%)1.0% (Oct 4.1%)
Off southern Puerto Rico0.2% (Sep 0.4%)1.4% (Jul 2.4%)1.9% (Oct 5.9%)
Mona Passage0.1% (Sep 0.3%)1.7% (Dec 2.7%)2.9% (Oct 6.6%)

Share of ship observations, the year, with the worst month in brackets. Seas usually run under 8 ft; the north and west coasts are roughest in winter and midsummer, and strong north winds and heavy seas can come from November to April. The sea seldom drops below 80°F.

Currents worth knowing

WhereCurrent
Pasaje de San Juan and Pasaje de Cucaracha (Fajardo approaches)About 2 kt
Canal de Luis Peña (Culebra)About 2 kt; "strong currents and baffling winds render the passage hazardous for sailing vessels"
Canal del Sur (southeast Culebra)2 kt; 1.5 kt between Cayo Norte and Cayos Geniquí
Punta Este (Vieques) and Isla Cabeza de PerroStrong tidal currents; Pasaje de Vieques about 0.7 kt
Mona Passage61 miles wide; 3.5 kt west-southwest reported north of Isla de Mona; heavy squalls likely, especially in summer; give Isla Saona a 6-mile berth
Sources (2)

Wind and waves by month

787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS buoy data, 2019–2025: every reading from three buoys, averaged by month.

San Juan

North coast. Wind mostly from the E. Windiest Jul (12.2 kt), lightest Oct (7.9 kt); biggest seas Dec (5.2 ft).

Mean wind, knots 0 5 10 15 Jan: mean wind 10.4 kt, gusts 13.4 kt, 2.3% of readings 20 kt or moreFeb: mean wind 11.6 kt, gusts 14.8 kt, 0.8% of readings 20 kt or moreMar: mean wind 10.8 kt, gusts 13.8 kt, 0.7% of readings 20 kt or moreApr: mean wind 10.7 kt, gusts 13.5 kt, 0.5% of readings 20 kt or moreMay: mean wind 9.9 kt, gusts 12.7 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreJun: mean wind 11.3 kt, gusts 14.2 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreJul: mean wind 12.2 kt, gusts 15.3 kt, 0.4% of readings 20 kt or moreAug: mean wind 10.7 kt, gusts 13.5 kt, 0.2% of readings 20 kt or moreSep: mean wind 8.4 kt, gusts 10.9 kt, 0.6% of readings 20 kt or moreOct: mean wind 7.9 kt, gusts 10.5 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreNov: mean wind 8.9 kt, gusts 11.7 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreDec: mean wind 10 kt, gusts 13 kt, 0.9% of readings 20 kt or more Jan: wind from E (94°) Feb: wind from E (93°) Mar: wind from E (90°) Apr: wind from E (91°) May: wind from ESE (104°) Jun: wind from E (97°) Jul: wind from E (90°) Aug: wind from E (95°) Sep: wind from ESE (110°) Oct: wind from ESE (122°) Nov: wind from ESE (108°) Dec: wind from E (96°) Waves, feet 0 2 4 6 8 Jan: mean wave height 4.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 6.9 ftFeb: mean wave height 4.9 ft; 9 in 10 under 6.6 ftMar: mean wave height 4.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 6.6 ftApr: mean wave height 4.2 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.9 ftMay: mean wave height 3.2 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftJun: mean wave height 3.1 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftJul: mean wave height 3.6 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftAug: mean wave height 3.4 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftSep: mean wave height 3.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.6 ftOct: mean wave height 3.8 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.9 ftNov: mean wave height 4.6 ft; 9 in 10 under 6.2 ftDec: mean wave height 5.2 ft; 9 in 10 under 7.5 ft J F M A M J J A S O N D
787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS buoy data, 2019–2025. Buoy 41053, 2019–2025. Bars: mean wind; arrows: where the month's wind blows; line: mean wave height, dashed: the height 9 in 10 waves stay under.
Show the numbers
MonthWind ktGust kt≥20 kt %FromWaves ft9 in 10 under ft
Jan10.413.42.3E 94°4.76.9
Feb11.614.80.8E 93°4.96.6
Mar10.813.80.7E 90°4.76.6
Apr10.713.50.5E 91°4.25.9
May9.912.70.1ESE 104°3.24.3
Jun11.314.20.1E 97°3.14.3
Jul12.215.30.4E 90°3.64.6
Aug10.713.50.2E 95°3.44.6
Sep8.410.90.6ESE 110°3.75.6
Oct7.910.50.1ESE 122°3.85.9
Nov8.911.70.1ESE 108°4.66.2
Dec10130.9E 96°5.27.5

Vieques Sound

Between Fajardo, Culebra and Vieques. Wind mostly from the E. Windiest Feb (12.3 kt), lightest Sep (9.4 kt); biggest seas Feb (3.9 ft).

Mean wind, knots 0 5 10 15 Jan: mean wind 11.3 kt, gusts 14.2 kt, 0.3% of readings 20 kt or moreFeb: mean wind 12.3 kt, gusts 15.4 kt, 0.2% of readings 20 kt or moreMar: mean wind 11.4 kt, gusts 14.2 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreApr: mean wind 11.3 kt, gusts 14.1 kt, 0.2% of readings 20 kt or moreMay: mean wind 10.7 kt, gusts 13.3 kt, 0% of readings 20 kt or moreJun: mean wind 11.5 kt, gusts 14.3 kt, 0% of readings 20 kt or moreJul: mean wind 12.1 kt, gusts 15 kt, 0.7% of readings 20 kt or moreAug: mean wind 11.1 kt, gusts 13.8 kt, 0.7% of readings 20 kt or moreSep: mean wind 9.4 kt, gusts 12 kt, 0.6% of readings 20 kt or moreOct: mean wind 9.4 kt, gusts 12.1 kt, 0.3% of readings 20 kt or moreNov: mean wind 10.4 kt, gusts 13.2 kt, 0.1% of readings 20 kt or moreDec: mean wind 11.2 kt, gusts 14.2 kt, 0.2% of readings 20 kt or more Jan: wind from ENE (76°) Feb: wind from E (79°) Mar: wind from E (81°) Apr: wind from E (85°) May: wind from E (101°) Jun: wind from E (93°) Jul: wind from E (84°) Aug: wind from E (84°) Sep: wind from E (94°) Oct: wind from E (95°) Nov: wind from E (83°) Dec: wind from ENE (74°) Waves, feet 0 2 4 6 8 Jan: mean wave height 3.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.2 ftFeb: mean wave height 3.9 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.2 ftMar: mean wave height 3.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.2 ftApr: mean wave height 3.3 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.9 ftMay: mean wave height 2.5 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.6 ftJun: mean wave height 2.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.6 ftJul: mean wave height 3 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.9 ftAug: mean wave height 2.6 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.6 ftSep: mean wave height 2.7 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.9 ftOct: mean wave height 2.9 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftNov: mean wave height 3.5 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.9 ftDec: mean wave height 3.9 ft; 9 in 10 under 5.2 ft J F M A M J J A S O N D
787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS buoy data, 2019–2025. Buoy 41056, 2019–2025. Bars: mean wind; arrows: where the month's wind blows; line: mean wave height, dashed: the height 9 in 10 waves stay under.
Show the numbers
MonthWind ktGust kt≥20 kt %FromWaves ft9 in 10 under ft
Jan11.314.20.3ENE 76°3.75.2
Feb12.315.40.2E 79°3.95.2
Mar11.414.20.1E 81°3.75.2
Apr11.314.10.2E 85°3.34.9
May10.713.30E 101°2.53.6
Jun11.514.30E 93°2.73.6
Jul12.1150.7E 84°33.9
Aug11.113.80.7E 84°2.63.6
Sep9.4120.6E 94°2.73.9
Oct9.412.10.3E 95°2.94.6
Nov10.413.20.1E 83°3.54.9
Dec11.214.20.2ENE 74°3.95.2

Southeast of Ponce

South coast. Wind mostly from the ENE. Windiest Jul (14 kt), lightest Sep (9.4 kt); biggest seas Jul (3.6 ft).

Mean wind, knots 0 5 10 15 Jan: mean wind 11.2 kt, gusts 13.7 kt, 1.7% of readings 20 kt or moreFeb: mean wind 12.4 kt, gusts 15.2 kt, 3.4% of readings 20 kt or moreMar: mean wind 11.4 kt, gusts 14 kt, 2.8% of readings 20 kt or moreApr: mean wind 11.7 kt, gusts 14.3 kt, 1.4% of readings 20 kt or moreMay: mean wind 11.8 kt, gusts 14.4 kt, 0.7% of readings 20 kt or moreJun: mean wind 13.2 kt, gusts 16.1 kt, 2% of readings 20 kt or moreJul: mean wind 14 kt, gusts 17 kt, 4.3% of readings 20 kt or moreAug: mean wind 12.1 kt, gusts 14.9 kt, 1.9% of readings 20 kt or moreSep: mean wind 9.4 kt, gusts 11.7 kt, 0.8% of readings 20 kt or moreOct: mean wind 9.5 kt, gusts 11.8 kt, 0.6% of readings 20 kt or moreNov: mean wind 10.4 kt, gusts 12.9 kt, 0.4% of readings 20 kt or moreDec: mean wind 10.7 kt, gusts 13.2 kt, 0.8% of readings 20 kt or more Jan: wind from ENE (66°) Feb: wind from ENE (71°) Mar: wind from ENE (72°) Apr: wind from ENE (77°) May: wind from E (83°) Jun: wind from E (83°) Jul: wind from E (79°) Aug: wind from E (79°) Sep: wind from ENE (71°) Oct: wind from ENE (69°) Nov: wind from ENE (67°) Dec: wind from ENE (64°) Waves, feet 0 2 4 6 8 Jan: mean wave height 3 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftFeb: mean wave height 3.5 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftMar: mean wave height 3 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftApr: mean wave height 3 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftMay: mean wave height 3.1 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftJun: mean wave height 3.5 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftJul: mean wave height 3.6 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.6 ftAug: mean wave height 3 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftSep: mean wave height 2.3 ft; 9 in 10 under 3.6 ftOct: mean wave height 2.6 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ftNov: mean wave height 2.8 ft; 9 in 10 under 4 ftDec: mean wave height 2.9 ft; 9 in 10 under 4.3 ft J F M A M J J A S O N D
787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS buoy data, 2019–2025. Buoy 42085, 2019–2025. Bars: mean wind; arrows: where the month's wind blows; line: mean wave height, dashed: the height 9 in 10 waves stay under.
Show the numbers
MonthWind ktGust kt≥20 kt %FromWaves ft9 in 10 under ft
Jan11.213.71.7ENE 66°34.6
Feb12.415.23.4ENE 71°3.54.6
Mar11.4142.8ENE 72°34.3
Apr11.714.31.4ENE 77°34.3
May11.814.40.7E 83°3.14.3
Jun13.216.12E 83°3.54.6
Jul14174.3E 79°3.64.6
Aug12.114.91.9E 79°34.3
Sep9.411.70.8ENE 71°2.33.6
Oct9.511.80.6ENE 69°2.64.3
Nov10.412.90.4ENE 67°2.84
Dec10.713.20.8ENE 64°2.94.3

Every valid hourly or 10-minute record in NOAA NDBC's historical standard-meteorological files for 2019–2025, averaged by calendar month. Wind is measured at the buoy's anemometer, about 4 m up, not adjusted to 10 m, so it reads lower than ship reports. Direction is the vector mean of where the wind blows from. Wave height is significant wave height (Hs); p90 is the height 9 in 10 readings stay under. Across these years the windiest months were June and July, then February; the lightest, September to November. North-coast seas run biggest from December to March, with the north swell.

Sources (4)

Hurricane season

June to November; the most active stretch here is August through the first half of October.

Season, June to November Most active, Aug to mid-Oct

NOAA's hurricane harbors

  • Bahía de San Juan
  • Bahía de Guánica
  • Bahía de Guayanilla
  • Bahía de Jobos
  • Ensenada Honda (Culebra)
  • Ensenada Honda (Ceiba), large vessels

Not safe Bahía de Ponce: open to the south.

130+of about 200 boats

destroyed or badly damaged in Ensenada Honda, Culebra in Hurricane Hugo, 1989: long called the Caribbean's safest hurricane hole.

  • DRNA moorings are never storm shelter; not to be used in winds over 40 mph.
  • Insurance Named-storm blackout about Jun 1 to Nov 30, roughly 10°N to 37°N; Puerto Rico (about 18°N) is inside. Read your own policy.
  • Haul-out Puerto del Rey: Hurricane Haul-Out, 150-ton lift (to 115 ft long, 32 ft beam, 8 ft draft). Marina de Salinas: mangrove barrier as shelter.
Sources (4)

Rules visitors get wrong

All the rules
  1. Coming from the Virgin Islands? Call CBP

    Every boat arriving in Puerto Rico, Culebra or Vieques from the USVI reports to CBP on arrival: 1-877-529-6840. Fines start at $5,000.

  2. 5 mph in marinas and anchorages

    No wake, and 5 mph maximum, inside every marina and anchoring area (Ley 430 art. 7.8(a)(2)).

  3. Luis Peña is no-take, moorings only

    No fishing at all in the Canal Luis Peña reserve off Culebra, and anchor only on a mooring or on sand in its southern zone.

  4. Kids under 12 wear life jackets underway

    Not just carry them: wear them while the boat is moving. $100 fine, $250 on a commercial boat.

  5. You must be 21 to rent a motorboat

    21 for anything with an engine, jet skis included; 12 for a kayak or paddleboard.

Where people sail

Every distance
RouteWhat it is
Fajardo day tripsIcacos, Palomino and Palominito, 4 to 5 NM out, on DRNA day moorings. The trip most Fajardo operators sell.
A week in the Spanish Virgin IslandsPuerto del Rey to Palomino; Culebra (Luis Peña, Melones, Tamarindo, Culebrita, Ensenada Honda); Vieques' south coast (Sun Bay, Esperanza); back via Green Beach or Icacos.
To the U.S. and British Virgin IslandsCulebra to St Thomas, 24 NM, is the shortest hop. Report to CBP on your return to Puerto Rico.
Around Puerto RicoEast-about through Vieques Sound to the south coast harbors, then Mayagüez. The north coast has no deep-draft anchorage outside San Juan; stay 2 miles or more off between San Juan and Cabo San Juan.
Sources (5)

Next regattas

The full calendar
RegattaDatesWhere
Discover the Caribbean Regatta (36th)Oct 30 to Nov 1, 2026Ponce
Discover the Caribbean Dinghy RegattaNov 14–15, 2026Ponce
Regata Eddie RamosDec 5–6, 2026Ponce

Forecasts and live sources

The forecasts sailors use, from the zone forecast to the models. For planning, not navigation.

ForecastWhat it givesUpdated
NWS coastal waters forecast (opens in a new tab)Wind, seas and wave detail for each zone, period by period, to 10 NM and the offshore zonesEach zone below opens its own forecast.Not stated
NHC offshore waters forecast, Caribbean (opens in a new tab)Winds, seas and warnings for the Caribbean Sea and the tropical Atlantic south of 19°N, out five daysFour times a day
NHC surface analysis, Caribbean (opens in a new tab)Pressure, fronts, troughs and tropical waves on one chartEvery six hours
NHC tropical weather outlook (opens in a new tab)Disturbances that may form, over 2 and 7 daysNot stated
CariCOOS wave forecast (opens in a new tab)Wave height maps from CariCOOS's wave model, and a point forecast for chosen spots · Point forecastsNot stated
GRIB files by email: Saildocs (opens in a new tab)Model wind and pressure for your own area, small enough for a satellite or radio link: email query@saildocs.com a line such as send gfs:16N,20N,68W,63W|1,1|24,48,72|PRESS,WINDNot stated
NOAA buoys (opens in a new tab)Measured wind, waves and period at the buoys listed belowNot stated

Wind models

Plan with ECMWF, GFS, UKMO and AIFS together. Look at where the models agree, where they meaningfully disagree, and the specific risks along your route, not at which one predicts the fastest passage.

Open this map on Windy (opens in a new tab). Windy's embed offers these four over Puerto Rico; UKMO, AIFS and PredictWind's models open on their own sites.
ModelResolutionRunsRangeUse it for
ECMWF IFS on Windy (opens in a new tab)ECMWF (European Centre)About 9 km4 a day (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC)15 days from 00 and 12 UTC; 6 days from 06 and 18The first model to plan with, days out
GFS on Windy (opens in a new tab)NOAA (U.S.)About 13 km4 a day16 daysA second opinion; the model Saildocs GRIB files carry
UKMO (Unified Model) on Met Office (opens in a new tab)Met Office (U.K.)About 10 km in mid-latitudes4 a day (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC)6 days from 00 and 12 UTC; 2½ days from 06 and 18A third global opinion
AIFS on ECMWF (opens in a new tab)ECMWF, machine learningAbout 0.25° grid4 a day (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC)15 days, 6-hour stepsThe AI model, checked against the physics models
ICON on Windy (opens in a new tab)DWD (Germany)About 13 km4 a day180 hours from 00 and 12 UTC; 120 from 06 and 18Another global opinion
NAM, Puerto Rico nest on NOAA EMC (opens in a new tab)NOAA (U.S.)3 km4 a day (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC)60 hoursIsland effects over the next two and a half days
AROME Antilles on Windy (opens in a new tab)Météo-FranceNot statedNot statedNot statedA high-resolution regional model; Windy shows it over Puerto Rico
CariCOOS WRF, 1 km on CariCOOS (opens in a new tab)CariCOOS (Puerto Rico)1 kmOnce a day (00Z)36 hoursCoastal wind, bay by bay, for tomorrow
CariCOOS WRF, 2 km on CariCOOS (opens in a new tab)CariCOOS (Puerto Rico)2 kmNot stated5 daysLocal wind for the week
HAFS (HFSA, HFSB) on NOAA EMC (opens in a new tab)NOAA (U.S.)Not statedNot statedNot statedA named storm's track and strength

PredictWind's own: PWG, PWE, PWAi (opens in a new tab): PWG and PWE are PredictWind's models run from NOAA's and ECMWF's starting conditions; PWAi is its AI model, combining ECMWF, AIFS, Fengwu and GraphCast. Inside PredictWind's app.

"Use it for" is 787daily's guide; the figures are each model owner's. Left out: HRRR (Windy carries it for the continental U.S. and Alaska only) and the European AROME and ICON-EU, which do not reach Puerto Rico.

Sources (12)

Your zone's forecast

ZoneCovers
AMZ712 forecast (opens in a new tab)Coastal waters of northern Puerto Rico out 10 NM
AMZ716 forecast (opens in a new tab)Cabo San Juan to the waters between Anegada and Virgin Gorda
AMZ726 forecast (opens in a new tab)East of Puerto Rico and Vieques, around Culebra and St John
AMZ735 forecast (opens in a new tab)Coastal waters of southern Puerto Rico out 10 NM
AMZ742 forecast (opens in a new tab)Coastal waters of northwest Puerto Rico out 10 NM
AMZ745 forecast (opens in a new tab)Coastal waters of southwest Puerto Rico out 10 NM
AMZ741 forecast (opens in a new tab)Mona Passage south to 17°N
AMZ711 forecast (opens in a new tab)Atlantic waters beyond 10 NM
AMZ733 forecast (opens in a new tab)Caribbean waters from 10 NM to 17°N

Each zone opens its NWS forecast. The next period's wind and seas, where shown, are from the latest NWS San Juan coastal waters forecast as our ten-minute reader last read it. Zones were renumbered in 2023.

Buoys and tides

Radio and charts

  • NOAA Weather Radio WXJ-69 San Juan, 162.40 MHz; WXJ-68 Maricao, 162.55 MHz
  • NAVTEX San Juan (NMR), ID "R": 02:50, 06:50, 10:50, 14:50, 18:50 and 22:50 UTC
  • Coast Guard Sector San Juan: 787-729-6800; safety broadcasts at 12:10 and 22:10 UTC, announced on VHF 16, then worked on VHF 1022 (formerly 22A)
  • NOAA's paper and raster charts are sunset: use the ENC viewer or Chart Locator. Legacy chart numbers guides still use include 25640 (Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands), 25650 (Virgin Passage and Sonda de Vieques), 25653 (Culebra), 25667 (Bahía de Fajardo), 25683 (Bahía de Ponce) and 25687 (Bahía de Jobos).
  • NOAA Coast Pilot 5, chapter 13: the official sailing directions for Puerto Rico, a free PDF updated weekly.
Sources (13)