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
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Get the full El Barco trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
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°
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