Surfing in Puerto Rico

The very best surfing beaches are along the northwestern coast from Isabela south to Rincón, which gained notoriety by hosting the World Surfing Championship in 1968. Today the town draws surfers from around the globe, especially in winter, when the waves are at their best.

East of the city, in Piñones, the Caballo has deep- to shallow-water shelf waves that require a big-wave board known as a gun. Playa La Pared, near Balneario de Luquillo, is a surfer haunt with medium-range waves. Numerous local competitions are held here throughout the year.

Desecheo Surf & Dive Shop (Rte. 413, Km 2.5, Rincón, 00677. 787/823-0390) rents a variety of short and long surfboards ($25 to $30 a day). The company also organizes diving and snorkeling trips and rents Jet Skis. Rincón Surf School (Rte. 413, Rincón, 00677. 787/823-0610. www.surfandboard.com) offers full-day lessons that include board rental and transportation. You can also arrange two-, three-, and five-day surfing seminars. Boards can be rented for $20 without a lesson.