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Morning Brief

On the Water · Wind

Kite, wing and windsurf in Puerto Rico

The spots, the wind directions that work there and who teaches, and when the wind really blows: seven years of NOAA and CariCOOS station readings, measured by 787daily.

Measured wind now

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

What the wind does

  • July is the windiest month

    At the San Juan buoy, Culebra, Salinas–Guayama and the Ponce buoy, 84 to 93% of July's daytime readings reach 12 knots. February is a second peak.

  • October is the lightest

    At the same stations only 35 to 48% of October's daytime readings reach 12 knots.

  • Afternoons blow harder

    At Salinas–Guayama, 93% of July's daytime readings reach 12 knots, against 53% around the clock. Out at Culebra and the Vieques Sound buoy, day and night read about the same.

  • Culebra is the steadiest

    Even in October, its lightest month, 48% of Culebra's daytime readings reach 12 knots: no other station's lightest month does as well. Its daytime average runs 12.0 to 16.7 knots.

From 787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS data, 2019–2025. Daytime is 10:00 to 18:00; 12 knots is about the least wind a kite needs. A station measures the station, not the beach.

When to come

The share of daytime readings at 12 knots or more, month by month. Deeper is windier.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec CulebraXCULCulebra, January: 68% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.5 kt68Culebra, February: 79% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 16.0 kt79Culebra, March: 65% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.2 kt65Culebra, April: 70% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.5 kt70Culebra, May: 70% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.1 kt70Culebra, June: 83% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 15.6 kt83Culebra, July: 88% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 16.7 kt88Culebra, August: 75% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.7 kt75Culebra, September: 52% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.4 kt52Culebra, October: 48% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.0 kt48Culebra, November: 68% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.9 kt68Culebra, December: 69% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.5 kt69 Salinas–GuayamaXMRSSalinas–Guayama, January: 70% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.2 kt70Salinas–Guayama, February: 76% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 15.4 kt76Salinas–Guayama, March: 73% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 15.2 kt73Salinas–Guayama, April: 71% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.8 kt71Salinas–Guayama, May: 77% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 15.1 kt77Salinas–Guayama, June: 82% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 16.0 kt82Salinas–Guayama, July: 93% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 17.6 kt93Salinas–Guayama, August: 81% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 15.8 kt81Salinas–Guayama, September: 59% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.9 kt59Salinas–Guayama, October: 44% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.1 kt44Salinas–Guayama, November: 60% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.7 kt60Salinas–Guayama, December: 63% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.2 kt63 Ponce buoy42085Ponce buoy, January: 64% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.0 kt64Ponce buoy, February: 74% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.7 kt74Ponce buoy, March: 63% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.2 kt63Ponce buoy, April: 64% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.3 kt64Ponce buoy, May: 62% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.1 kt62Ponce buoy, June: 79% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.9 kt79Ponce buoy, July: 91% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 16.0 kt91Ponce buoy, August: 75% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.2 kt75Ponce buoy, September: 41% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.9 kt41Ponce buoy, October: 40% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.5 kt40Ponce buoy, November: 57% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.9 kt57Ponce buoy, December: 61% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.5 kt61 San Juan buoy41053San Juan buoy, January: 56% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.1 kt56San Juan buoy, February: 70% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.3 kt70San Juan buoy, March: 64% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.8 kt64San Juan buoy, April: 65% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.1 kt65San Juan buoy, May: 68% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 13.0 kt68San Juan buoy, June: 78% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.0 kt78San Juan buoy, July: 84% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 14.1 kt84San Juan buoy, August: 66% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.7 kt66San Juan buoy, September: 39% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.8 kt39San Juan buoy, October: 35% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.2 kt35San Juan buoy, November: 44% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.0 kt44San Juan buoy, December: 50% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.7 kt50 Vieques Sound41056Vieques Sound buoy, January: 44% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.2 kt44Vieques Sound buoy, February: 60% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.4 kt60Vieques Sound buoy, March: 45% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.4 kt45Vieques Sound buoy, April: 47% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.4 kt47Vieques Sound buoy, May: 39% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.0 kt39Vieques Sound buoy, June: 53% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.9 kt53Vieques Sound buoy, July: 56% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.2 kt56Vieques Sound buoy, August: 40% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.3 kt40Vieques Sound buoy, September: 22% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.6 kt22Vieques Sound buoy, October: 23% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.5 kt23Vieques Sound buoy, November: 31% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.4 kt31Vieques Sound buoy, December: 41% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.1 kt41 FajardoXREYFajardo, Puerto del Rey, January: 28% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.7 kt28Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, February: 43% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.1 kt43Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, March: 39% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.7 kt39Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, April: 39% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.7 kt39Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, May: 27% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.4 kt27Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, June: 43% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.1 kt43Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, July: 40% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.0 kt40Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, August: 26% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.0 kt26Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, September: 14% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.8 kt14Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, October: 16% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.4 kt16Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, November: 19% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.9 kt19Fajardo, Puerto del Rey, December: 27% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.7 kt27 La PargueraXIMGLa Parguera, Magueyes, January: 37% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.7 kt37La Parguera, Magueyes, February: 25% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.2 kt25La Parguera, Magueyes, March: 21% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.7 kt21La Parguera, Magueyes, April: 29% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 9.3 kt29La Parguera, Magueyes, May: 31% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.2 kt31La Parguera, Magueyes, June: 62% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 12.5 kt62La Parguera, Magueyes, July: 52% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 11.6 kt52La Parguera, Magueyes, August: 31% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 10.0 kt31La Parguera, Magueyes, September: 16% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.9 kt16La Parguera, Magueyes, October: 10% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 7.5 kt10La Parguera, Magueyes, November: 22% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.6 kt22La Parguera, Magueyes, December: 19% of daytime readings at 12 kt or more; daytime mean 8.2 kt19
Share of daytime readings (10:00 to 18:00) at 12 knots or more, the usual minimum to kite. 787daily's analysis of NOAA/CariCOOS data, 2019–2025.
Show the numbers
StationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Culebra68% (14.5 kt)79% (16.0 kt)65% (14.2 kt)70% (14.5 kt)70% (14.1 kt)83% (15.6 kt)88% (16.7 kt)75% (14.7 kt)52% (12.4 kt)48% (12.0 kt)68% (13.9 kt)69% (14.5 kt)
Salinas–Guayama70% (14.2 kt)76% (15.4 kt)73% (15.2 kt)71% (14.8 kt)77% (15.1 kt)82% (16.0 kt)93% (17.6 kt)81% (15.8 kt)59% (12.9 kt)44% (11.1 kt)60% (12.7 kt)63% (13.2 kt)
Ponce buoy64% (13.0 kt)74% (14.7 kt)63% (13.2 kt)64% (13.3 kt)62% (13.1 kt)79% (14.9 kt)91% (16.0 kt)75% (14.2 kt)41% (10.9 kt)40% (10.5 kt)57% (11.9 kt)61% (12.5 kt)
San Juan buoy56% (12.1 kt)70% (13.3 kt)64% (12.8 kt)65% (13.1 kt)68% (13.0 kt)78% (14.0 kt)84% (14.1 kt)66% (12.7 kt)39% (10.8 kt)35% (10.2 kt)44% (11.0 kt)50% (11.7 kt)
Vieques Sound buoy44% (11.2 kt)60% (12.4 kt)45% (11.4 kt)47% (11.4 kt)39% (11.0 kt)53% (11.9 kt)56% (12.2 kt)40% (11.3 kt)22% (9.6 kt)23% (9.5 kt)31% (10.4 kt)41% (11.1 kt)
Fajardo, Puerto del Rey28% (9.7 kt)43% (11.1 kt)39% (10.7 kt)39% (10.7 kt)27% (9.4 kt)43% (11.1 kt)40% (11.0 kt)26% (10.0 kt)14% (8.8 kt)16% (8.4 kt)19% (8.9 kt)27% (9.7 kt)
La Parguera, Magueyes37% (9.7 kt)25% (9.2 kt)21% (8.7 kt)29% (9.3 kt)31% (10.2 kt)62% (12.5 kt)52% (11.6 kt)31% (10.0 kt)16% (8.9 kt)10% (7.5 kt)22% (8.6 kt)19% (8.2 kt)

At every station in the grid, the lightest month is September or October. Kite Puerto Rico describes the same season: windy from mid-November to the end of August.

Every station we measured
StationSitingWindiest monthLightest monthDaytime average
San Juan buoy41053, 2019–2025Open-water buoyAnemometer at 4 m.July 84% at 12 kt+October 35% at 12 kt+10.2–14.1 kt
CulebraXCUL, 2021–2025Shore stationOpen trade wind: day and night read about the same.July 88% at 12 kt+October 48% at 12 kt+12.0–16.7 kt
Salinas–GuayamaXMRS, 2021–2025Shore stationThe strongest afternoon sea breeze of any main-island station.July 93% at 12 kt+October 44% at 12 kt+11.1–17.6 kt
Ponce buoy42085, 2019–2025Open-water buoyOffshore, southeast of Ponce; anemometer at 4 m.July 91% at 12 kt+October 40% at 12 kt+10.5–16.0 kt
Vieques Sound buoy41056, 2019–2025Open-water buoyAnemometer at 4 m; almost no day-to-night swing.February 60% at 12 kt+September 22% at 12 kt+9.5–12.4 kt
San Juan, bay edgeXJUA, 2021–2025Shore stationIts mean direction reads about 120°, a siting effect: use with care.July 87% at 12 kt+October 36% at 12 kt+10.3–15.7 kt
San Juan, La Puntillasjnp4, 2019–2025ShelteredSan Juan Bay, sheltered; anemometer about 5 m.June 76% at 12 kt+November 27% at 12 kt+9.5–14.3 kt
YabucoaXYAB, 2021–2025Shore stationJuly 67% at 12 kt+October 19% at 12 kt+8.6–13.1 kt
Fajardo, Puerto del ReyXREY, 2021–2025Shore stationAt the Puerto del Rey marina.June 43% at 12 kt+September 14% at 12 kt+8.4–11.1 kt
Cabo Rojo lighthouseXCRL, 2023–2025Shore stationAt the southwest tip; record from September 2023.June 66% at 12 kt+October 16% at 12 kt+7.6–13.0 kt
La Parguera, MagueyesXIMG, 2023–2025Shore stationMagueyes Island; record from September 2023.June 62% at 12 kt+October 10% at 12 kt+7.5–12.5 kt
Esperanza, Viequesespp4, 2019–2025ShelteredHarbour station, sheltered; anemometer about 8 m.July 19% at 12 kt+November 5% at 12 kt+7.0–9.8 kt
AguadillaXAGU, 2021–2025ShelteredOn the lee coast for the easterly trade wind: its readings are not beach wind.February 17% at 12 kt+October 3% at 12 kt+6.4–9.1 kt
Cabo Rojo west coastXCDP, 2021–2025ShelteredSheltered west-coast station: its readings are not beach wind.March 8% at 12 kt+November 1% at 12 kt+5.7–7.4 kt
Magueyes, NOAA tide stationmgip4, 2019–2025ShelteredSheltered siting: reads lower than XIMG on the same island.August 2% at 12 kt+November 0% at 12 kt+5.2–6.8 kt
Rincón, Tres Palmase9889, 2021–2025ShelteredBadly sheltered (2 to 3 kt): not a wind reading for Rincón.February 1% at 12 kt+November 0% at 12 kt+2.1–3.8 kt

NOAA NDBC historical standard meteorological files, 2019–2025 (m/s converted to knots); CariCOOS ERDDAP 5-minute average wind, 2021–2025 (XCRL and XIMG from September 2023). Station anemometers sit at 4 to 8 m, not 10 m, and shore stations may be sheltered. A station describes the station, not the beach. Mean directions: the north-coast buoy 90–122° (east, turning east-southeast in September to November); the south coast 64–84° (east-northeast to east); Culebra 69–97°.

Where to ride

The shaded rose shows the wind directions a spot works in, as its guides describe it.

Every spot with a published position. Point at one for the winds it works in.A ring is approximate: the area, not the spot.

San Juan and the metro coast

  • San Juan

    Caballos

    Wind directions not published

    Wing, windsurf · Waves

    Advanced

  • San Juan

    Ocean Park

    ENE, E

    Kite, wing · Flat, chop, waves

    All levels

  • San Juan

    Punta Las Marías

    ENE, E

    Kite, wing, windsurf · Flat, chop, waves

    All levels

  • Toa Baja

    Punta Salinas

    E

    Windsurf · Chop, waves

North and northwest

  • Aguadilla

    Aguadilla Bay

    Wind directions not published

    Wing, windsurf · Flat water

    Beginner

  • Isabela

    Jobos

    Wind directions not published

    Kite, windsurf · Waves

    Beginner

  • Isabela

    La Pared

    W

    Wing, windsurf · Waves

  • Isabela

    Montones

    NE, E

    Kite, wing · Flat, chop, waves

    Intermediate to advanced

  • Vega Baja

    Sarapa

    Wind directions not published

    Wing, windsurf · Flat, waves

    Intermediate to advanced

  • Isabela

    Shacks

    Wind directions not published

    Wing, windsurf · Waves

    Advanced

  • Aguadilla

    Surfer's Beach and Wilderness

    NE

    Wing, windsurf · Waves

East

South coast

  • Guánica

    Gilligan's Island

    Wind directions not published

    Kite, windsurf

  • Santa Isabel

    Jauca

    Wind directions not published

    Windsurf · Flat water

  • Lajas

    La Parguera

    E, SE, S

    Kite, wing, windsurf · Flat water

    All levels

  • Guayama

    Pozuelo

    Wind directions not published

    Windsurf · Flat water

  • Arroyo

    Punta Aguilarte

    SE

    Windsurf · Flat water

  • Guánica

    Punta Ballena

    E, SE, S

    Kite · Flat water

    All levels

Vieques and Culebra

  • Vieques

    Blue Beach

    E, ESE, SE

    Kite · Flat water

    All levels

The level chip is the least experience a guide says the spot takes: green opens to beginners, amber starts at intermediate, red is for advanced riders. 8 more places named in kite and windsurf guides wait on a local check before we list them.

Claimed wind and measured wind

Schools and guides quote stronger wind than the stations record on average. Their words, with their names:

WhoWhat they say
Kite Puerto RicoFrom November to August "winds commonly range between 15 and 25 knots".
Kite Puerto Rico"16-25 knot trade winds" and "20+ windy days per month" from mid-November to the end of August; beginner lessons want "a minimum of 9-10 knots".
surf-magazin.de (2025)Northeast to east trade winds, "averages of 15–25 knots"; autumn brings "10–15 knot sessions".
rove.me (2023)January and February strongest, about 10 to 25 kt; summer steady up to 18 kt.
Matador Network (2020)September and October "typically hot, low-wind months".

Measured, February to August

  • 12.7–14.1 ktSan Juan buoy
  • 14.1–16.7 ktCulebra
  • 14.8–17.6 ktSalinas–Guayama

Daytime averages from anemometers 4 to 8 meters up; a station measures the station, not the beach.

Wind forecasts and models

The official marine forecast and the measured wind first, then the models riders and sailors compare.

ForecastWhat it givesUpdates
NWS San Juan coastal waters forecast (opens in a new tab)The official forecast by marine zone: wind in knots with gusts, seas in feet and the wave detail, today and the next days. The link opens the north coast (AMZ712). Every zone (opens in a new tab).Not stated
CariCOOS wind observations (opens in a new tab)Measured wind at CariCOOS's stations on one map: what is blowing now, to check the forecast against.Not stated
Sources (3)

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)

Rules for kites and boards

No Puerto Rico law, DRNA regulation or town ordinance that names kitesurfing was found (English and Spanish searches, 2026-10-18). Staying out of buoyed swim areas is the binding rule.

  • Non-motor craft, boards with or without a sail included, may not operate, pass or anchor in a buoyed bathing area or a natural-resource protection area.Ley 430, art. 3(L) and 7(1)
  • Careless or negligent use that endangers others: $250 fine.Ley 430, art. 9(a)
  • The alcohol limits apply to non-motor craft too: 0.08 % over 21, 0.02 % at 18 to 20, any amount under 18.Ley 430, art. 9(o)–(q)
  • Towing a person needs an observer aboard: this covers jet-ski-assisted foil sessions and tow-ins.Ley 430, art. 9(f)