El Barco
El Barco is a powerful right-hand reef break near Rio San Juan that delivers fast, hollow waves when N swells hit the Dominican Republic's north coast. Named after a shipwreck in the lineup, the wave breaks hard and fast over shallow reef. A short left is also available for those willing to charge.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Direction range
- 340° - 30°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 150° - 210°
- Best window
- morning
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Rio San Juan area. North coast.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct
Winter N swells. Powerful, fast, hollow.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Preciosa
🔥 DR's outer reef gem • Powerful left barrels • North coast excellence
Encuentro
🇩🇴 DR's most consistent • Morning sessions • Cabarete's reef
Bobo's
🤙 Cabarete's fun option • Consistent waves • Beginner-friendly
Playa Grande
🏖️ DR's beach break option • Powerful shorebreak • Sandy bottom
La Izquierda
⬅️ Encuentro's left • Fast fun waves • Alternative to the rights
Destroyers
💥 Name earned • Fast shallow barrels • Board breaker