Three-time surfing world champion Andy Irons has died on his way back home from an ASP surfing event in Puerto Rico.

He leaves behind his heavily pregnant wife Lyndie Dupuis.

Billabong spokesman Andrew Flitton told Australia's Surfing Life that the 32-year-old Hawaiian had been ill with dengue fever.

Irons missed his heats at the Rip Curl Pro event in Puerto Rico due to illness over the weekend.

He was on his way home to Hawaii when he died, ESPN reported.

Mr Flitton said Irons first flew from Puerto Rico to Miami, where he spent two days on an IV drip.

He then insisted on heading home to see his own doctor, but became sick and missed a connecting flight to Hawaii from Dallas, Texas, Surfing Life reported.

He checked into a Dallas hotel to rest. Hotel staff found Irons dead the next morning.

Irons clinched 19 world tour victories and was crowned world champion three times, in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

His most recent tour victory was in September, when he clinched victory in the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

He withdrew from the ASP tour in 2009 citing personal reasons, but was granted a wildcard for the 2010 tour

Irons married Dupuis in 2007.