Jobos Beach

Location: Isabela

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour 45 minutes west. Park on the road anywhere nearby, near here. Make sure you are facing the right direction and entirely off the road. Parking can fill up quick, especially on the weekend. Arrive early to secure a spot. If the road is full, there are several parking lots nearby where you can pay to park. Walk between the restaurants that surround the beach to get to the sand.

Things to do: Surf – This is one of my all time favorite surfing beaches. There is a surf shop where you can rent a board and even get a surf lesson. There are waves for all skill levels. Snorkel – Close to the rocks there is some decent snorkeling where you may see sea turtles. If the current is strong, consider snorkeling at another beach. Relax in the shallows – the water is calm close to the shore. Eat at one of the restaurants that surround the beach. Lay in the shade – there are a lot of palms on the beach which means free shade!

Heads up: The current can be strong at this beach, it varies day to day. I quite literally saved a couple kids from drowning who got pulled out by a rip current. The current often moves in a circular pattern as an information plaque near the entrance explains. If you get pulled out, swim to your right, away from the rock, the current will then push you back in to shore. The sandbar in between the shore and the bigger waves changes in depth depending on the tide. What is thigh deep at high tide can be ankle deep at low tide. If you stay behind the sand bar, there will not be any current to worry about, it only begins once you walk over it. There are turtle grazing in the beginner surf area, they don’t seem to mind being bumped into, but try and dodge them!