Puerto Rico--safest beaches for swimming?

[Anonymous]

My tween son loves to swim when we're at the beach, and I've heard that most of the Puerto Rico beaches are actually pretty dangerous in terms of currents. Where would you recommend that is safer and has lifeguards? Where would be a good place to stay nearby? Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

Luquillio!!! Stunning and known for being a great kid beach.

[Anonymous]

Where are you staying? Crashboat is amazing! If in San Juan, isla verde is usually calm.

[Anonymous]

You need to pay attention to the rip current statements. It is usually dangerous in the north region during this season. The south is usually safe. During summer most of the beaches are safe.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies! We'd be there last week of March (spring break) and haven't booked a place to stay yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to pay attention to the rip current statements. It is usually dangerous in the north region during this season. The south is usually safe. During summer most of the beaches are safe.

There are very obvious signs in the dangerous areas, and there can be calm areas right next to the dangerous areas. Just look out for the signs. We went there years ago and a German tourist died in a riptide right where we were staying. We just went 1/4 mile down the beach to where it was perfectly calm.

[Anonymous]

Condado beach is dangerous and people die there. Do not get into the water at all there, even to your knees.

[Anonymous]

Honestly if your kid loves to swim, there are much better places to visit than PR,

Bahamas and St John have beautiful safe swimming beaches.

[Anonymous]

Luquillio is most likely safe but most of the northern beaches are very dangerous. A 12 year old drowned in a rip tide when we were there last winter.

[Anonymous]

Isla Verde is pretty calm. Would not recommend Condado.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you staying? Crashboat is amazing! If in San Juan, isla verde is usually calm.

Crashboat def has rip currents, so does Luquillio. Both are great beaches, but you will need to pay attention to the rip current report. In Luquillio they'll put up red flag warnings as needed.
Not all beaches are as closely flagged.

[Anonymous]

Consider Culebra or Vieques

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Luquillio!!! Stunning and known for being a great kid beach.

+1 perfect family beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to pay attention to the rip current statements. It is usually dangerous in the north region during this season. The south is usually safe. During summer most of the beaches are safe.

This is true. Puerto Rico native here. In winter time the beaches in the north part of the island facing the Atlantic, as with any island in the Caribbean, can get rough. Pay attention to rip current statements anywhere you are. This doesn’t just apply to Puerto Rico. There are many “safer” beaches around the island. The island has almost 300 beaches so there is something for everyone.

Same thing applies if you are traveling elsewhere in the Caribbean. Pay attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly if your kid loves to swim, there are much better places to visit than PR,

Bahamas and St John have beautiful safe swimming beaches.

Not true. People have drowned in the Bahamas and St. John, USVI. You need to pay attention anywhere you going, especially in wintertime. During the summer, the beaches are calmer.

Some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico are, Seven Seas, Luquillo, Isla Verde, OceanPark, Dorado Beach at the Ritz Carlton Reserve, Playa Combate, Playa Sucia, Boquerón Beach, Playa Flamenco in Culebra…and many more…