Surf Forecast  Tres Palmas

Tres Palmas surfspot characteristics

More about Tres Palmas surfspot

Puerto Rico’s big wave testing ground, which needs a really big winter swell, preferably from the NW to get going. The last stop on the unbroken reef that starts up at Domes is boosted by a submarine canyon that focuses and magnifies the swell. A gun will help overcome the chop hops down the face then wide open, rumbling walls provide a large canvas for large turns. Rips and sneaker sets keep the crowd to manageable levels and only a few will make it out when it is properly firing, which is hardly ever!

General: PR's most famous big-wave break is usually bigger than it looks; and the comparisons to Oahu's Sunset Beach are just about right on. Tres is essentially the last bit of reef that begins up towards Domes; it sticks furthest out and has a deepwater trench that focuses long-period swell into big meaty peaks that draw up and attempt to swat you off your board as it free-falls down the face. If you do make the board-chattering drop, prepare for some thigh-busting bottom/top turn combos for the next 75 yards. Think swoop and carve, not flit and air -- this is real open-ocean juice. It doesn't even start breaking till it hits double-overhead. The good news is that there's a great big channel that runs south of the reef; the bad news is that if there's any W in the swell, Tres Palmas' famous, gigantic sneaker sets arrive. So no matter how wired you think you have it, or how far out on the shoulder you think you are -- you could still get swatted. Tides: Not the biggest tidal changes but lower generally better. Size: Double-triple overhead++ Wind: East Swell: NW, N Bottom: Reef Paddling: Just a little. Spot Rating: The premiere big wave spot in the Caribbean.

Experts and those with big wave experience.

Park right there; paddle around.

Late summer and fall for tropical cyclone swells but late fall through early spring for consistency.

Crowd Factor: When it's small (double overhead) there can be a crew, which dwindles as it gets bigger. Local Vibe: Big wave surfers can be an antisocial bunch, but as always, humility and respect will go a long way.

Good equipment and respect required.

Not bad.

Big, sneaky west sets and the plan old fact that this wave doesn't really start working until it's at least double overhead.