Los Bohios (Maunabo)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Los Bohios is a fairly exposed sandy beach break on the southeast coast of Puerto Rico (in/near Maunabo) that’s known for very consistent surf. Multiple sources describe the waves as dependable, with the beach often feeling quiet even when conditions are working. However, the safety picture is the key limitation: the water is repeatedly described as wild and dangerous, with strong or hazardous currents (including rip currents) and heavy shore impacts. For that reason, swimming is not recommended, and the guidance is to only enter or enjoy the conditions during daylight hours. Lifeguard coverage is reported as seasonal, and rescue availability is described as limited/no dedicated on-water support. Wind information is less directly tied to the public spot description for surfing, but the broader pattern for the Maunabo Coast is consistent easterly trade winds with a daytime thermal component that typically strengthens through the afternoon. Surf sources also describe wind/wave behavior in terms of beach exposure and consistency rather than a narrow wind-dependent surf window. Seasonally, surfing is described as best during the winter months (especially January), with additional high/most-active conditions referenced for the May–August period. Water temperatures are warm through the year, with monthly ranges indicating the sea stays in the mid-to-high 20s °C.
- Consistent beach-break surf
- Quiet atmosphere relative to Puerto Rico’s busier coasts
- Strong current and heavy surf risks—daylight-only guidance
- Very consistent waves and an exposed beach-break setup
- Generally uncrowded/unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up
- Warm water year-round
- Dangerous for swimming due to strong/heavy surf and currents
- Limited rescue availability
- Surfing conditions can be wild and unsuitable for anything but experienced handling
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing easterly trade winds with a trade-wind/thermal component.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Dir: E, ESE, SE, SSE · Regional pattern suggests light thermal reinforcement that typically strengthens conditions from late morning into afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom; black sand reported closer to the entrance.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Sources conflict: one describes medium surf, while another describes predominantly small/mellow waves.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type described as chop; beach breaks can produce rough, dangerous conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Open beach with hard-packed sand and ample space for setup.
Through the year
High season (May–August) has more visitors; low season (September–April) is more tranquil and less crowded.
August to November (hurricane season from June to November).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed beach break with very consistent waves; water can be wild and dangerous. Surf conditions are described as primarily producing small, mellow waves suitable for longboarding and beginners, but also as heavily hazardous for inexperienced swimmers.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, SE, S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in North or Northwest winds (North winds are rare).
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out if the swell becomes too large or direct.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft — Sources conflict on wave size/power; conditions are described as consistent but can be wild and dangerous.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides ending on the sandy shore.
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short rides that end on the sandy shore.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Los Bohios (Maunabo) in the full forecast view.
Los Bohios (Maunabo) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- ESE111°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.2 m5s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Los Bohios (Maunabo) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.7–1.2 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Strong currents
- Dangerous marine currents
- Heavy surf
- Rip currents
- Not suitable for swimming
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported during peak hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-water kite rescue service confirmed; emergency coordination via 911.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency: 911; CDT Maunabo (Urgent Care): +1 (787) 861-1088; Tourist Police: +1 (787) 343-2020
Rules of the spot
No fee to access; visit during daylight hours only. Do not swim.
- No swimming allowed
- Visit during daylight hours only.
- Not recommended for swimming due to strong waves and currents.
- Conditions are popular with surfists looking for wild, dangerous water—be prepared.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Maunabo
- Nearest Town
- Maunabo
- Parking
- Ample parking available on hard-packed sand off Route 760; no fee to park or access the beach.
- Access
- Located off Route 760 in Maunabo; park on hard-packed sand at a parking area marked by a beach name sign. Approximately 60–90 minutes drive from the San Juan area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and small rentals are available in the Maunabo area.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks and small restaurants nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is described as scarce/limited in Maunabo specifically.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage at the beach is generally not available; riders typically store gear at accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be available in the broader San Juan metro area; no dedicated repair described in Maunabo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Maunabo Coast is described as tranquil and less commercial than Puerto Rico’s northern areas, with natural attractions such as nearby wetlands and a lighthouse, plus nearby hiking where mountains meet the sea.
Historic 19th-century Spanish lighthouse with panoramic coastal views.
Hiking in rugged mountains bordering the coast with views over the Caribbean Sea.
Quiet, undeveloped beaches suitable for sunbathing and family picnics.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Los Bohios (Maunabo)?
The best overall months at Los Bohios (Maunabo) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Los Bohios (Maunabo)?
Los Bohios (Maunabo) works with NE, E, SE winds.
What skill level is Los Bohios (Maunabo) suitable for?
Los Bohios (Maunabo) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Expert.