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

Alright, I’ll be straight with you – this whole 16-day stretch is a dud. The only break we’ve got is El Canal (Rio de Bayamon), a sheltered river mouth that “rarely breaks.” It’s a beginner wave, but it’s barely gonna show.

The run starts Thursday 16 July with a tiny 1ft swell out of the north, 7-second period. Wind is a stiff 19 mph cross-off, so it’s clean but the energy is weak (12). Water temp is 28°, right on average for this time of year.

Friday 17 July morning is even smaller – 0.7ft – and the afternoon hits 3ft but still short period (7 seconds). Energy stays under 100. Saturday 18 July is the same: 1ft, no push. Sunday 19 July gets a little bump to 3ft in the morning and 4ft in the afternoon, with energy finally hitting triple digits (119 and 123), but the period is only 6–7 seconds – weak slop. Wind is a moderate to fresh breeze from the east, cross-off, clean but lifeless.

Monday 20 July sees 4ft (133 energy) but the period drops to 6 seconds and the wind goes cross-shore, introducing chop. Not a surf session. From there, it’s a slow bleed of small, short-period junk until Thursday 23 July, when we get 4ft with an 8-second period and 148 energy – still poor. Friday 24 July afternoon hits 4ft and 218 energy, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off, and the 8-second period keeps it messy.

The only standout is Sunday 26 July morning: 5ft from the east-northeast, 8-second period, and 250 energy – the highest in the whole 16 days. Wind is a moderate 16 mph cross-off, so it’s clean. But 5ft is pushing it for beginners, and the short period means it’ll be dumpy. For a spot that rarely breaks, this is the most juice you’ll see, but it’s a low bar.

After that, it tapers off. Monday 27 July has 4ft at 9 seconds (199 energy), but the wind stays moderate. By Tuesday 29 July, it’s back to 1ft and 39 energy. The last gasp on Friday 31 July afternoon shows 4ft with a 7-second period and 144 energy, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off.

Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kitesurfing than paddle surfing. The river mouth is sheltered, the wind is consistent, and the waves are too weak and short for any quality. This is a long, blank run – and for a spot that rarely breaks, that’s normal. Forecasts can change, but right now I’d leave the board at home.

Rusty

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