El Canal (Rio de Bayamon) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s cut to it. The next couple weeks are looking pretty sorry for waves around here. The only break in the mix is El Canal (Rio de Bayamon), and it’s barely alive right now. For the first several days, it’s flat, lumpy, and not worth the drive. If you’re keen, you might as well wait it out.

The run starts Saturday the 12th with a weak 3ft of east-northeast windswell at 8 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore at 25 km/h, and the water’s choppy. Energy is a paltry 104 – weak. Water temp is 85°, which is about normal for late summer, so nothing odd there. By afternoon, it’s dead – 0.7ft and no energy. Sunday and Monday are the same story: tiny 1ft waves, light cross-off winds, but just no push. Periods are short, 8-10 seconds, and energy numbers like 39, 43, 44 – all weak sauce.

Tuesday and Wednesday stay flat – 1.0-1ft waves and moderate breezes. The river mouth is sheltered, but that doesn’t help when there’s no swell. Wednesday afternoon gives a little blip – 3ft at 5 seconds – but that period is terrible, so it’ll be a crumbly mess. Energy ticks to 61, but still weak. Thursday drops back down to 0.7ft with a 13-second period – longer period but no height, just a ripple. Friday morning shows 3ft, but again short period and a cross-off breeze – clean but gutless.

The weekend of the 19th and 20th is more of the same – 1-2ft waves, moderate winds, energy in the 35-61 range. This break rarely works, and with this lack of power, it’s a no-go. It’s inconsistent, flat, and frustrating. First week is a write-off.

Now, here’s a glimmer. Around the 26th-27th of September, the swell direction flips to north, and the period jumps to 11-12 seconds – proper groundswell. Saturday the 26th afternoon brings 3ft at 12 seconds, with energy building to 200 – moderate. Wind is cross-off, so it’s cleaner. Sunday the 27th morning is the best of the entire stretch: 4ft of north swell at 11 seconds, with energy at 369 – the strongest of the whole forecast. Wind is light cross-off at 20 km/h, making it the cleanest session we’ve seen. This is the one to circle. It’s not huge, but for a river mouth that rarely breaks, this is the pick. The afternoon drops slightly to 4ft, but wind eases to 10 km/h – near glass, though there’s a risk of thunderstorms, so watch the sky.

That Sunday the 27th is your window. The north swell is long-period, which suits a river mouth – better shape on the banks. It’s only 4ft, so it’s fine for most surfers, and the light wind will keep it clean. After that, the forecast goes quiet again, so make that day count.

Don’t waste your time before that. The surf is poor, small, and winds are mostly onshore or cross. But that final weekend shows a pulse of energy that’s worth waiting for. Long-range stuff is always a bit less certain, but the signs are good. Keep your board ready.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Read more