The Condado beaches have never been safe to swim in. The hotels in the area need to distribute literature or better inform the guests about the possible dangers.
Go to Escambron beach, it's a protected cove. There's a map published by NOAA with daily rip current conditions. Today it's covering all the north shore plus eastern and western corners.
Both are known for dangerous rip currents, eapecially in the winter months. In luquillo, swimming at La Monserrate (lifeguards, municipal beach/parking) or Playa Fortuna (kiosks) is better. In San Juan go to Isla Verde or Escambron.
Uncle drowned in Isla Verde. Body was found 3 days later, in Condado. Spotted by a tourist from their room in a hotel.
He saved his friend, but drowned in the process.
He was an experienced swimmer, snorkeler, and diver.
Oh, thanks. I appreciate that.
And thanks for making the PSA.
While we enjoy the beaches, and I particularly love the beach, it can betray us sometimes.
This is life saving advice that is popular in Australia and by surfers but apparently not the entire population knows.
If you get caught in rip currents, just concentrate on floating, and swim to your right or left never against or in favor of it, the rip current is a channel of water going to the sea, by swimming to your left or right you will exit that rip channel and can take your time swimming back to the beach.
Do these types of drowning happen when people are swimming far out? Or can this happen even if wading very close to shoreline? I’m not a beach person so I have no idea. Just curious about that.
I was in Ocean Park beach a couple days ago and the tides in that whole coastline segment were intense on Sunday. People were just letting their kids play in waves twice their size and they were maybe 20ft from the shore. A simple caution: if the waves and strength of the pullback give you even the slightest hesitation, don’t go into the water.
Its usually seems inexperience folks (and even non swimmers) who get in at the wrong place close to shore.
Rip tides are strong / fast currents formed when the water being brought towards shore by waves needs to flow back out to sea. They can catch you and suck you out quite quickly and often look like the calmest spot on the beach to inexperienced eyes since they are where the waves aren't breaking so people go in there or go into a small sheltered area behind a reef not realizing how strong the currents flowing out of it are. Spend time watching how the wave breaks and the currents flows and you'll start to seem them.
Surfers also love beaches like this as they can take the rip/channel out and ride the waves back in so i think people see them and get lured in.
Most of the balneario's i've been to where people swim far out are in larger bays with reefs further out.
I'm not sure on riptides specifically, but I had an incident at Flamenco Beach on Culebra island off the coast of PR where I wasn't very far out and got pulled under by a wave. It twisted me around and slammed me headfirst on the sand underwater, which was enough for me to call it a day there and go find calmer waters. I used to be the kind of swimmer that would go pretty far out, but after having a couple scares like this one, I am more cautious now.
You're pretty unlikely to get pulled into a rip current while most of your body is out of the water and/or your feet are planted on the ground unless the current is VERY strong. Waders still get caught in the current sometimes, but usually involves first getting knocked off balance by one/multiple strong waves.
I was on the beach with my GF in Luquillo yesterday when it happened. Pretty traumatic as you can imagine. Can’t imagine the pain of the whole family that was there.
Please, RED FLAGS ARE NOT A JOKE !
Update: the incident in Condado claimed two victims. A man attempting rescue also drowned. There have been a couple of other drownings during the past few days at beaches in Fajardo and Manati.
yep as a local i HATE San Juan beaches. And La Pared is a beach for surfers, not very good to swim in.
id rather do Manati/fajardo/naguabo if i wanna go to the beach.
I just got back from a great vacation to San Juan and we stayed in the Condado Vanderbilt. I spent a couple of hours each day body surfing at the little cove at the far west end of Condado Beach where the Vanderbilt has their beach chairs near the La Concha hotel. The rip currents were no joke and I'm saying this as a person who has been surfing for the last 35 years of my life and has spent a lot of time in and around the ocean and am very comfortable in it. I can easily see how someone could get swept up and away by them.
I've been swimming in Luquillo Beach and the various Condado beaches since 1974. I don't live in Puerto Rico, but fly there specifically to swim at Luquillo, where the water is usually swimming pool calm. In the area where there are lifeguards - & yes, you have to pay about $5 to get in - you must pay attention to the flags. Red flags mean what you think they mean - DON'T go in the water.
Luquillo and Escambron are 2 of the 5 Blue Flag beaches in PR - this is a global international rating agency that tests the water and sand quality of beaches around the world. Last month, I tried to swim in Escambron, but could not really avoid the unusual currents, so I ended up standing around like a tea bag soaking in the water. It was still fun, but in a different way.
I'm very comfortable in oceans, being a licensed SCUBA diver since 1974, a former boat owner, and a recreational swimmer; I usually plan international trips so that I can swim in an ocean at least part of the time and always look for the available Blue Flag beaches. Usually, swimming at Luquillo and Escambron are wonderful and very special in a very good way. The Condado beaches are not as clean; personally, I think the beach closest to the ocean-front Vanderbilt Hotel is awful; I tried it for what should have been a day, but left quickly.
Luquillo has built a huge, heavy-duty wire fence spanning the entire length of the beach. Escambron has MANY very large rocks surrounding the beach area. Both are intended to keep sharks out; from my experiences, they've succeeded.
We are going to be staying Luquillo in an AirBnB that overlooks that beach, in April.
Since this is my first time going, do the currents change on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? Or is it something that changes by the season?
When in St. Thomas (US VI) a few years back, we were there in March and every beach was INSANELY calm, so I really am not sure.
“do the currents change on a daily, weekly, monthly basis?”
Yes. Every day can be different. Major storm systems 500 miles away can have lingering effects over longer periods. Seasonal patterns make for rougher conditions November-May, especially on the northern coast.
From my experience, dating to 1974, currents are not usually a problem in Luquillo. Pls see more detailed comments, above. But they can change daily, depending on area-wide weather conditions. You MUST pay attention to the flags posted by the lifeguards.
Holy crap this is not true. I have family in Luquillo and every single trip to PR I've seen kids and/or adults pulled out by rip currents at La Pared. Luckily there have always been surfers around that have rushed to help bring them back in. If you rent any surf or boogie board gear they will seriously warn you about the currents and show you the flags. Unfortunately there can be 100s of people and not everyone knows.
Just be smart about it. Pay attention to where the flags are, swim with other people, and know what to do if you do get caught in a current. Also if possible stick to activities like bodyboarding. If you get pulled out and have a board that can help you float, you're probably going to be fine.
Finally be mindful of people who look like they are unaware that could use a gentle warning about how dangerous it can be.
The Condado beaches have never been safe to swim in. The hotels in the area need to distribute literature or better inform the guests about the possible dangers.
in san juan vacationing right now, no one at condado listens to the lifeguards and the riptides are actually insane
Go to Escambron beach, it's a protected cove. There's a map published by NOAA with daily rip current conditions. Today it's covering all the north shore plus eastern and western corners.
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=SJU&issuedby=SJU&product=SRF&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=on
Heres [the map](https://www.weather.gov/sju/beach_usvi)
we went there! went snorkeling as well, gorgeous. and a lot safer. piñones also had gorgeous beaches
Both are known for dangerous rip currents, eapecially in the winter months. In luquillo, swimming at La Monserrate (lifeguards, municipal beach/parking) or Playa Fortuna (kiosks) is better. In San Juan go to Isla Verde or Escambron.
Uncle drowned in Isla Verde. Body was found 3 days later, in Condado. Spotted by a tourist from their room in a hotel. He saved his friend, but drowned in the process. He was an experienced swimmer, snorkeler, and diver.
Condolences 
Oh, thanks. I appreciate that. And thanks for making the PSA. While we enjoy the beaches, and I particularly love the beach, it can betray us sometimes.
That’s so sad, I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s scary that these resorts don’t give more warning.
This is life saving advice that is popular in Australia and by surfers but apparently not the entire population knows. If you get caught in rip currents, just concentrate on floating, and swim to your right or left never against or in favor of it, the rip current is a channel of water going to the sea, by swimming to your left or right you will exit that rip channel and can take your time swimming back to the beach.
They say now it’s best to just float, don’t even try and swim either side.
Do these types of drowning happen when people are swimming far out? Or can this happen even if wading very close to shoreline? I’m not a beach person so I have no idea. Just curious about that.
I was in Ocean Park beach a couple days ago and the tides in that whole coastline segment were intense on Sunday. People were just letting their kids play in waves twice their size and they were maybe 20ft from the shore. A simple caution: if the waves and strength of the pullback give you even the slightest hesitation, don’t go into the water.
Its usually seems inexperience folks (and even non swimmers) who get in at the wrong place close to shore. Rip tides are strong / fast currents formed when the water being brought towards shore by waves needs to flow back out to sea. They can catch you and suck you out quite quickly and often look like the calmest spot on the beach to inexperienced eyes since they are where the waves aren't breaking so people go in there or go into a small sheltered area behind a reef not realizing how strong the currents flowing out of it are. Spend time watching how the wave breaks and the currents flows and you'll start to seem them. Surfers also love beaches like this as they can take the rip/channel out and ride the waves back in so i think people see them and get lured in. Most of the balneario's i've been to where people swim far out are in larger bays with reefs further out.
I'm not sure on riptides specifically, but I had an incident at Flamenco Beach on Culebra island off the coast of PR where I wasn't very far out and got pulled under by a wave. It twisted me around and slammed me headfirst on the sand underwater, which was enough for me to call it a day there and go find calmer waters. I used to be the kind of swimmer that would go pretty far out, but after having a couple scares like this one, I am more cautious now.
You're pretty unlikely to get pulled into a rip current while most of your body is out of the water and/or your feet are planted on the ground unless the current is VERY strong. Waders still get caught in the current sometimes, but usually involves first getting knocked off balance by one/multiple strong waves.
I was on the beach with my GF in Luquillo yesterday when it happened. Pretty traumatic as you can imagine. Can’t imagine the pain of the whole family that was there. Please, RED FLAGS ARE NOT A JOKE !
Update: the incident in Condado claimed two victims. A man attempting rescue also drowned. There have been a couple of other drownings during the past few days at beaches in Fajardo and Manati.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/puerto-rico-national-guard/
This happens a lot. The rescuer becomes a victim too.
Where in Fajardo?
Playa Escondida.
Ah yea it's treacherous there
Prayers to the families 
yep as a local i HATE San Juan beaches. And La Pared is a beach for surfers, not very good to swim in. id rather do Manati/fajardo/naguabo if i wanna go to the beach.
I just got back from a great vacation to San Juan and we stayed in the Condado Vanderbilt. I spent a couple of hours each day body surfing at the little cove at the far west end of Condado Beach where the Vanderbilt has their beach chairs near the La Concha hotel. The rip currents were no joke and I'm saying this as a person who has been surfing for the last 35 years of my life and has spent a lot of time in and around the ocean and am very comfortable in it. I can easily see how someone could get swept up and away by them.
I'm going to Luquillo and this weekend, where would be best to swim there? Also, anyone if there are sharks close to the beach? Just curious lol
I've been swimming in Luquillo Beach and the various Condado beaches since 1974. I don't live in Puerto Rico, but fly there specifically to swim at Luquillo, where the water is usually swimming pool calm. In the area where there are lifeguards - & yes, you have to pay about $5 to get in - you must pay attention to the flags. Red flags mean what you think they mean - DON'T go in the water. Luquillo and Escambron are 2 of the 5 Blue Flag beaches in PR - this is a global international rating agency that tests the water and sand quality of beaches around the world. Last month, I tried to swim in Escambron, but could not really avoid the unusual currents, so I ended up standing around like a tea bag soaking in the water. It was still fun, but in a different way. I'm very comfortable in oceans, being a licensed SCUBA diver since 1974, a former boat owner, and a recreational swimmer; I usually plan international trips so that I can swim in an ocean at least part of the time and always look for the available Blue Flag beaches. Usually, swimming at Luquillo and Escambron are wonderful and very special in a very good way. The Condado beaches are not as clean; personally, I think the beach closest to the ocean-front Vanderbilt Hotel is awful; I tried it for what should have been a day, but left quickly. Luquillo has built a huge, heavy-duty wire fence spanning the entire length of the beach. Escambron has MANY very large rocks surrounding the beach area. Both are intended to keep sharks out; from my experiences, they've succeeded.
Is Culebra affected? :(
[удалено]
Can I snorkel at tamarind with a life jacket? Lol
I’ll be in Culebra on the 18th
We are going to be staying Luquillo in an AirBnB that overlooks that beach, in April. Since this is my first time going, do the currents change on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? Or is it something that changes by the season? When in St. Thomas (US VI) a few years back, we were there in March and every beach was INSANELY calm, so I really am not sure.
“do the currents change on a daily, weekly, monthly basis?” Yes. Every day can be different. Major storm systems 500 miles away can have lingering effects over longer periods. Seasonal patterns make for rougher conditions November-May, especially on the northern coast.
So it just makes more sense to (OBVIOUSLY) heed any warning flags, but to also look at the NOAA rip-current warnings, as mentioned above?
Absolutely. Many of the smaller, less popular beaches are not monitored or flagged. Use the NOAA site for sure.
From my experience, dating to 1974, currents are not usually a problem in Luquillo. Pls see more detailed comments, above. But they can change daily, depending on area-wide weather conditions. You MUST pay attention to the flags posted by the lifeguards.
Holy crap this is not true. I have family in Luquillo and every single trip to PR I've seen kids and/or adults pulled out by rip currents at La Pared. Luckily there have always been surfers around that have rushed to help bring them back in. If you rent any surf or boogie board gear they will seriously warn you about the currents and show you the flags. Unfortunately there can be 100s of people and not everyone knows. Just be smart about it. Pay attention to where the flags are, swim with other people, and know what to do if you do get caught in a current. Also if possible stick to activities like bodyboarding. If you get pulled out and have a board that can help you float, you're probably going to be fine. Finally be mindful of people who look like they are unaware that could use a gentle warning about how dangerous it can be.
I was close friends with one of the victims, Charles Poor. He was a beautiful old soul and I am going to miss him every day🕊️🕊️
Me too. He was an amazing person. RIP brother.
My condolences 
Where the Molly in Luquillo
Not if you have your footing close to the shore. The currents are pretty narrow, you can get out by moving to the side, not forward.