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 "Rincon is home of the gnarliest
waves in the Caribbean. The waves are as blue as a pretty blonde's
eyes and crack just overhead at about 7 feet/2 meters, with some
higher sets rolling in. And there are breaks all over the place:
Maria's, Indicator, Domes, The Point, Tres Palmas, Steps, Dog Man's.
I've been reading about these places for years."
Caribbean Travel & Life
When people think of Rincon, surfing is often what
comes to mind. While the Puntas beaches all have great surfing - the wildest
waves break where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean off of our Sunset Coast.
While the winter season shows off the 'wild side' of
surfing - the rest of the year our Sunset Coast beaches calm down and become
secludes hideaways for romantic strolls, snorkeling and enjoying a relaxing day
at the beach. This is also the are for our Science Dome, Lighthouse Park and
Marine Reserve - so no matter where you stay you'll want to visit more than
once! And you can't visit Rincon without seeing the most famous sunsets in
Puerto Rico!
Spanish Wall Beach:
This is Rincon's 'secret beach' that you
can only reach by hiking from Domes Beach on the
'Domes Trail'. Located at the very corner of Rincon - you'll
see both the Atlantic and Caribbean as you pass the area known as 'Trampa
de Tiburon'. You can't go all the way around to the Puntas
side any more - so you'll have to hike back the same way you came.
Its also one of the best Surf Breaks -
so you'll enjoy the action during winter surfing season.
This is a great area for collecting
shells and 'getting away from it all'.
Domes Beach:
One of the most recognized names in
Rincon - Domes beach is named for the dome of the old nuclear plant
on one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. The dome is
being converted into a Science Center and Museum - so don't worry
about any rays emitted from the dome - but bring plenty of sun
screen if you plan to spend a day on the beach!
To get to Domes Beach, drive past the
Lighthouse Park and look for the whale-shaped beach marker.
This is also a great place for whale
watching in winter and is almost empty is summer if you want to have
a beach all to yourself!
 Rincón Lighthouse
& Park
You can't visit Rincon without at least
one visit to the lighthouse and well maintained park. During the
winter season you can watch surfers and whales from the walk that
runs along the top of the cliffs
There are no real beaches that are
accessible to the public, but you get great views of Domes Beach to
the right and Indicators Beach to the left as you look out toward
Desecheo Island
Just below the lighthouse is one of the
most famous surfing breaks in Rincon - known as "Deadman's" for the
nasty rocks jutting out from the cliffs which mean trouble if a wave
brings you in that direction. You can see it if you look right
down from the lighthouse park for the rock that looks like
Christopher Columbus's head.
No matter what time of year you visit,
this is a great photo opportunity and a chance to visit the shop,
snack bar or use the public rest facilities. Plenty of parking and
interesting information about this historic lighthouse on the
location where Columbus set foot as the first tourist to Rincon!
 Desecheo Island:
You will see this mysterious island from
almost everywhere in Rincon - but the view is especially impressive
from the Sunset Coast and Lighthouse Park.
Desecheo Island is a closed protected
environmental reserve which can only be visited with special permission
for scientific research.
Located about 12 miles off the coast of
Rincon, Desecheo has some of the best SCUBA diving in Puerto Rico. Even though you can't actually step foot
on the island - you can get 'up close' if you visit with one of the
Dive Shops which are permitted to visit dive sites off-shore.
If you don't dive, check with the Dive
Shops and see if they have any space for snorkelers. Desecheo
Island has very clear waters that make it great for snorkelers in
the shallow areas just off the coast.
 Indicators Beach:
Just to the left of Lighthouse
Park, this is one of the best places to park your car, climb down
the incline and watch the surfers in the winter surf season.
There are no hotels, restaurants, bars
or public facilities - but the Lighthouse Park is just down the road
(plenty of parking is available at the park).
When the surf isn't up, this beach is
almost completely empty - so if you want to have 'private beach' for
a romantic stroll or complete relaxation, this may be a good choice
during the 'off season'.
Indicators is a very rocky beach, so
this is not a good choice for swimming.
 Maria's Beach:
During the 'season' this is the center
of surfing activity in Rincon.
 Look
for the whale-shaped beach sign on your way to the Lighthouse Park
and pull into the parking lot next to the Calypso Cafe.
This is where the waves kick up and
provide some of the most exciting surfing in the Caribbean!
Make sure you grap a photo in front of the surfer crossing sign and
hang-ten with the surfer dudes!
During the summer, the beach changes
character and becomes a great place to enjoy the sun, sand and a
typical Caribbean day at the beach.
Steps Beach - Tres
Palmas Marine Reserve: This is
another legendary surfing beach which got its name from the set of
steps that clings to the beach.
In surfing terms - Steps is the 'inside
surf break' and Tres Palmas is the 'outside surf break' - so you'll
 hear
this beach referred to by both name.
To get to Steps Beach you have to look
carefully for the whale-shaped sign that is only visible as you are
driving from downtown toward the Lighthouse. To make it a bit of a
challenge for visitors - the name of the beach is on the sign in
Spanish as 'Playa Escalera'.
 If
you are driving on Route #413 toward downtown, you'll have to look
for the driveway that leads from Route #413 down to the beach (see
the photo of the palm trees in
the distance to give you an idea of the area and distance to the
beach).
Steps Beach is too rough for swimming
during surfing season - but becomes very calm during the
'off-season' and is a favorite spot for snorkeling since it is the
site of the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve.
At the end of the driveway, you'll find
this sign which will help you identify some of the marine life you
may find as you discover the underwater world on our Sunset Coast!
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The
beach has lots of free parking, picnic areas, public rest rooms and
changing rooms/showers. 
We
also list several
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logo identifies Inns, Hotels & Resorts that are approved
by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. These accommodations
are inspected each year and must meet minimum standard
for facilities, service, access and cleanliness.
