La Preciosa
La Preciosa is one of the Dominican Republic's finest waves—a powerful left that breaks over an outer reef near Rio San Juan. When solid N swells push in, the wave produces long, hollow barrels with serious consequences. Less crowded than the Cabarete area breaks, this is where serious surfers come to score quality tubes on the north coast.
La Preciosa surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 340° - 30°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 150° - 210°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.5m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: North coast DR. East of Cabarete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is La Preciosa?
La Preciosa is a reef break in Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at La Preciosa?
La Preciosa picks up swell from the NNW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at La Preciosa?
A S wind is dead offshore at La Preciosa, and anything from the SSE round to the SSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at La Preciosa?
La Preciosa is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf La Preciosa?
The most reliable run of swell at La Preciosa comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Oct too. Winter N swells. Needs size to work.
How cold is the water at La Preciosa?
The water at La Preciosa averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is La Preciosa good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Shallow reef. Sea urchins present.
How do I get to La Preciosa?
The nearest airport on our list is POP, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. North coast DR. East of Cabarete.
What other surf spots are near La Preciosa?
The closest breaks we track are El Barco (1.3 km), Destroyers (36 km) and La Izquierda (36 km), handy when La Preciosa isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct
Winter N swells. Needs size to work.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Barco
🚢 Shipwreck reef • Fast hollow rights • DR's north coast power
Destroyers
💥 Name earned • Fast shallow barrels • Board breaker
La Izquierda
⬅️ Encuentro's left • Fast fun waves • Alternative to the rights
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
Plan a trip around La Preciosa
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