Surf Spots

Joatinga

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Joatinga is a small surf and bodyboard beach in Rio's Joá neighborhood. Reach it through a residential development off Estrada do Joá, then descend a short rocky path. High tide can cover the sand and make the beach inaccessible, so check the tide before visiting.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Lagoinha do Leste

Florianopolis, Brazil

Laguna

Santa Catarina, Brazil

Lajão

Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil

beginner · intermediate

Leste-Oeste

Ceara, Brazil

beginner · intermediate

Lopes Mendes

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Macumba (Curvão)

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Madeiro

Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil

beginner · intermediate

Maracaipe

Paraiba Pernambucco, Brazil

beginner · intermediate

Matadeiro

Florianopolis, Brazil

Meio

Fernando do Noronha, Brazil

beginner · intermediate

Mocambique

Florianopolis, Brazil

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Mole Beach

Brazil

Molhes

Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Morro das Pedras

Florianopolis, Brazil

Morro das Pedras is a multiple-peaked beachbreak in southern Florianopolis that works best with south, southeast, or east swells combined with west or northwest winds. The main attraction is fast, powerful right-hand waves that can develop hollow sections on good days but tend to close out closer to shore. Paddling north into the sandier sections yields additional left-hand opportunities. The spot performs best at middle tide and shows the most consistency during winter months. The beach sits between Praia do Campeche and Praia da Armação with a sandy bottom spanning roughly 2.5 kilometers. Access is straightforward via paved road, approximately 22 kilometers south of downtown Florianopolis. The beach remains relatively uncrowded during weekdays but sees increased traffic and localism on weekends. The primary hazards are dangerous rip currents and strong return currents that create challenging conditions. These conditions can make swimming dangerous, particularly for inexperienced swimmers, making this unsuitable for complete beginners in water safety.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Naufragados

Florianopolis, Brazil

Naufragados is a beach break that responds to southeast swell and works across multiple tidal stages, with north-quadrant winds providing the cleanest conditions. Waves here tend to peel both left and right, and the break functions year-round but produces more consistent and cleaner surf during the Southern Hemisphere winter months. The sand is dark and coarse, and the spot faces the open ocean with enough power to appeal to experienced surfers. However, strong rip currents and the absence of any lifeguard presence require caution and experience. The beach lies at the southernmost tip of Santa Catarina Island in Florianópolis, within the Ribeirão da Ilha district. Access is strictly by a four-kilometer walking trail through Atlantic Forest or by boat—there is no road access or nearby support services. The walk takes approximately 45 minutes, and this isolation means few crowds but also demands careful planning and self-sufficiency for a safe visit.

Navegantes

Santa Catarina North, Brazil

Navegantes is a consistent sand beach break anchored by jetty features on an exposed stretch of Santa Catarina's northern coast. The waves are typically modest in height, with the bottom remaining sandy across all tidal states. Right-hander preference characterizes the beach break, though lefts are available. Southeast groundswells provide the most reliable swell direction, best amplified during winter months when offshore westerly winds clean up the face. The break works on all tides, reducing timing constraints for access. Rip currents and fishing lines in the water present recurring hazards that demand attention. Navegantes has emerged as a significant fixture in Brazilian competitive surfing, hosting the Campeonato Brasileiro de Surf de Base (Brazilian Base Surfing Championship)—the national qualifying final where junior surfers compete for spots on Brazil's World Championship team. The city has hosted major competitions across multiple years, including the 2026 Surf Brasil Base event in late September, which drew over 100 competitors across age divisions from thirteen states. This championship represents the pathway through which many of Brazil's current world-dominating generation began their competitive careers. The town sits along Brazil's BR-101 coastal highway in Santa Catarina Norte, approximately fifteen to thirty-seven minutes from other regional breaks like Praia Brava at nearby Itajaí. Access is straightforward via the main highway, with side roads branching to the beach.

Palmas

Santa Catarina North, Brazil

Palmas is an advanced sand beach break near Governador Celso Ramos that works on both left and right waves in easterly swells and southwest winds. Strong rip currents, shallow powerful barrels at size, and crowds define the challenging conditions here. The spot hosts the Circuito Catarinense de Surf Pro.

Paúba

Sao Paulo North Coast, Brazil

Pompeia

Espirito Santo, Brazil

Pompeia is a sand beach break in Espirito Santo, Brazil, near Vitória, with wave exposure in both directions. The spot responds to southern swell and works best with northwest winds. Expect crowds and exposure to cross-shore wind.

beginner · intermediate

Ponta negra

Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil

Ponta negra is a beginner-friendly beach break near Natal, Rio Grande Do Norte, with a sand bottom that works across all tide levels. Northeast swell and westerly winds offer consistent conditions on waves that approach from both directions. Expect crowds at this popular spot.

Pontal

Bahia Sul, Brazil

Pontal is a sand beach break near Itacaré offering intermediate-level waves from easterly swell, with both left and right-hand breaks available. Conditions are best on westerly winds during low to mid tide. Strong rip currents and forceful cross currents are present, with a difficult and dangerous shore break entry and exit.

beginner · intermediate

Pontão do leblon

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Pontão do Leblon is a right-hand point break on a rocky bottom located in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro. An expert-level wave that works across all tidal conditions and responds best to southwest-to-south swell and northeast-to-southwest winds. The break presents significant hazards including a powerful shorebreak, strong currents, rocky features, crowds, and local water pollution.

advanced · pro · shortboard

porta do sol

Sao Paulo North Coast, Brazil

Porta do Sol sits on São Paulo's north coast near São Vicente and receives swell from both directions, with SSE swell providing optimal conditions. The spot works best with northwesterly (NNW) winds, though surfers should expect rip currents, pollution, and crowds.

praia branca

Sao Paulo South Coast, Brazil

Praia Branca is a sandy beach break on São Paulo's South Coast near Guarujá that handles swell from both directions. The spot works best with southerly swells and northwesterly winds.

Praia Brava

Santa Catarina, Brazil

Praia Brava is an intermediate sand beach break near Florianópolis that handles swells from both directions, with easterly swells producing the best waves. Westerly winds are ideal. Watch for rip currents and heavy crowds.

Praia Brava

Rio de Janeiro Norte, Brazil

Praia Brava is an advanced-level surf spot in Rio de Janeiro Norte, Brazil, near Cabo Frio. The break features strong, agitated waves and a rapidly increasing depth with drop-offs close to shore. Access is challenging, reached only by difficult trails with no nearby infrastructure.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Praia da Armação

Brazil

Praia da Armação is a sandy beach break on Florianópolis's southeastern coast that produces both left and right waves over a sand bottom. The break is reasonably exposed with quite reliable surf, particularly during autumn and winter when groundswells predominate. Northeast swell combined with southwest wind (offshore) delivers the best conditions. The beach features multiple peaks especially from the middle section northward, where the waves are more developed and powerful; the southern end near the river mouth stays calmer. Rips and rocks are hazards, and the coarse sand and steep gradient make the beach difficult to walk. The beach's name derives from its history as a major whaling station in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries—Armação do Baleia. It remains one of Santa Catarina's principal artisanal fishing communities, though modern recreational activities now coexist alongside traditional fishing operations. Located roughly 22 kilometers south of downtown Florianópolis, this 3.2-kilometer beach is well-developed with rental accommodations, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops. Praia do Matadeiro, another established surf destination, sits immediately adjacent to the south. Access and infrastructure are straightforward.

Praia da Enseada de Bertioga

Brazil

Praia da Enseada is an exposed beach break with a sandy bottom spanning roughly 12 kilometers, creating a bay-like arc from Bertioga's center to Indaiá. The beach offers both left and right-breaking waves, with particularly responsive conditions in winter. Offshore northeast winds work best, though the break is rideable with winds from the east as well. The break is versatile in difficulty—some sections feature gentle, gradual depth that suits beginners, while other parts of the beach hold stronger, more organized surf for intermediate and advanced riders. Southeast and south-southeasterly swells drive the primary swell direction. Bertioga has developed a substantial local surf culture centered on competitive events. The Circuito Bertioguense de Surf is an established municipal championship with multiple stages annually, running numerous age categories and skill levels from sub-12 through master and longboard divisions. Winners advance to the Hang Loose Surf Attack, São Paulo's premier state circuit, which has been the launching point for several nationally ranked surfers. A newer addition, the Circuito Surf Bate e Volta, began as a single event around 2021 and expanded into a multi-stage circuit by 2022, hosting both shortboard and longboard competitions. Access is straightforward—the beach is widely considered the most accessible on the São Paulo coast, with facilities including showers and bathrooms. The main hazard remains the Bertioga Canal, which cuts through parts of the beach area; water quality near the canal's mouth is periodically compromised by vessel traffic and urban runoff, though the municipal government maintains that the wider beach generally meets safe-for-swimming standards. Lifeguard coverage is available year-round.

Praia da Joaquina

Brazil

Key corrections & additions: Praia da Joaquina is primarily advanced-level surfing (north end), not intermediate overall—though the south end has mellower peaks suitable for all levels The wave is world-class on the left-hander at the Costão (north end), but the beach also has occasional rights and multiple peaks Winter (June–September) is peak season for the biggest Atlantic swells The "Santa Catarina Pro" was actually the 2014 ASP 6-Star "Oceano Santa Catarina Pro" (not WCT); the 1986 event was simply the Hang Loose Pro WSL Layback Pro Joaquina returned to the beach for the first time in 9 years in March 2025 Adriano de Souza and Gabriel Medina are notable local surfers with roots here --- DESCRIPTION: Praia da Joaquina's famous peak at the north end (Costão) is a world-class left-hander that breaks hollow and powerful on a sand bottom, handling 1-meter days through 10-meter-plus Atlantic swells. The beach stretches three kilometers with additional mellower peaks toward the south, including occasional right-handers. Southeast swell is ideal, though Northeast to South swells work as well, with Northwest wind blowing offshore and winter months delivering the biggest, cleanest conditions. Low to mid tide is best. The north end is primarily for advanced surfers, while the south end offers terrain for intermediate and beginner surfers on smaller days. The beach hosted the Hang Loose Pro Contest beginning in 1986 as Florianópolis's first World Championship Tour event. The Hang Loose Pro became an established QS event, marking its 30th anniversary in 2016. The ASP 6-Star Oceano Santa Catarina Pro was held here in 2014. The WSL Layback Pro Joaquina returned in March 2025 for the first time in nine years, with Lucas Silveira and Laura Raupp winning that edition. Local surfers Adriano de Souza, a former WSL World Champion, and Gabriel Medina, a multiple-time World Champion, both have roots in the region. The beach lies five kilometers from Lagoa da Conceição with free parking along the highway and private lots available for 20–30 reais per day in summer. Public facilities include showers, bathrooms, and board rentals. Car break-ins are routine at peak access points, and rip currents pose real hazards alongside typical large crowds at the famous north end.

Praia da Macumba

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Praia da Macumba is a beach break near Recreio dos Bandeirantes in Rio de Janeiro City. The sand bottom works best during low to mid tide with northerly winds and southerly swell, accepting waves from both directions. Watch for rip currents, rocks, and local crowds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Praia de Geribá

Rio de Janeiro-Litoral Leste, Brazil

Geribá is a 2-kilometer-long exposed beach break with multiple peaks scattered along its length, holding consistent swell throughout most of the year except summer months. Waves are predominantly lefts peeling off a sand bottom, typically ranging from 3–6 feet and handling best around high tide when the banks shape up into clean, organized walls. The break works well for a broad range of abilities, though in larger swells the shorebreak can be powerful and requires respect from less experienced swimmers. The beach has hosted regional and national competitions for years, including the Búzios Surf Contest and Búzios Surfing Open, which draw athletes across multiple categories from across Brazil, establishing it as a consistent fixture in Brazilian competitive surfing. Geribá sits on a peninsula about 170 kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro, roughly a 2.5 to 3-hour drive via coastal road. From Búzios town center, the beach is accessible by taxi or rideshare in 10–15 minutes. Parking is available but can be extremely difficult to find during weekends and peak travel seasons. The spot draws heavy crowds, particularly during summer tourism season, and capacity constraints on the beach are a real management issue during popular periods.

Praia de Itaguaré

Brazil

Praia de Itaguaré works better on its right side near the rocky shoreline where waves peel with better shape and consistency, particularly during rising tide when conditions improve. The break generates 1 to 2 meter waves during the peak winter months, with southeast and east swells providing the most consistent energy from May onward. Wind from the northwest produces the cleanest conditions. The beach breaks over a combination of sand and rock, and the river mouth at the southern end creates notable current flows that require respect. Bertioga's surfing culture developed substantially during the 1970s and 80s as São Paulo's dense urban areas pushed surfers toward accessible beaches. Itaguaré has earned recognition as one of the last undeveloped surf destinations in São Paulo state, characterized by its natural, largely unbuilt setting and lower crowds compared to nearby breaks like Riviera. The area has hosted regional surfing festivals with participants across multiple skill levels, though no specific individual surfers or major competitions are uniquely associated with Itaguaré itself. Located roughly 20 kilometers from Bertioga's center, the beach stretches 3.5 kilometers through a protected environmental reserve with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, positioned between the neighborhoods of São Lourenço and Guaratuba. Access is relatively straightforward, and the semi-deserted nature of the location contrasts sharply with more developed surf spots nearby. The river mouth can present hazards during rising tides, which can both cut off portions of the beach and create unpredictable current patterns.

Praia de Itamambuca

Brazil

Itamambuca is a consistent right-hand river mouth break on sand, working well across all tidal stages. It favors southeast swells combined with offshore northwest winds, with winter offering the most reliable conditions, particularly January. The break suits all skill levels, from beginners to experienced surfers, though the waves can be powerful and the crowding can become significant, especially during peak seasons. Itamambuca holds an important place in Brazilian surf history as one of the country's earliest competition venues, hosting numerous festivals and amateur contests that helped establish a strong local surf culture. In recent years it has continued to host competitive events including qualifying series competitions. The beach has produced dedicated surfers and given rise to local initiatives like formal surf schools, reflecting the deep connection between the community and the sport. The beach sits about 15 kilometers north of Ubatuba along BR-101, accessed via a marked turnoff at kilometer 34–36. The Itamambuca River naturally divides the beach, creating a calm freshwater zone on the right side with natural pools ideal for swimmers seeking a break from the ocean swell. Parking is available for a fee (around 20 Reais during high season), though spaces can be limited. The approach road can become difficult to navigate during heavy rain, and visitors are advised to monitor their belongings as petty theft has been reported.

Praia de Maresias

Sao Paulo North Coast, Brazil

Maresias is a powerful exposed beach break over sand that produces fast, hollow waves capable of forming good barrels, particularly during the winter season from April through September when consistent south swells combine with favorable offshore winds from the north. The break works across all tidal stages and is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers, as the waves have significant power and speed. Strong currents are a persistent hazard at the spot. Maresias emerged as a significant surfing destination only in the 1980s and became a key training ground for Brazilian professionals. Gabriel Medina won the 2009 Maresias International at age 16, becoming the youngest male ever to claim an open professional surfing event, and later established his training facility there in 2017. The beach has hosted professional competitions including the ASP Prime Qualification Series and continues to be featured on the regional pro calendar. The beach is a 5-kilometer expanse about three hours south of São Paulo, accessible via the Mogi-Bertioga highway or Rodovia dos Tamoios. Paid parking is available near the beach entrance though spaces fill quickly, and lifeguards patrol regularly. A river discharge at one end of the beach occasionally creates water quality issues. The spot is generally crowded, especially during good swell windows.

Praia do Campeche

Brazil

Campeche is a sandbar-fed beach break that predominantly produces right-hand waves. Two distinct sections define the break: Pico to the north, which offers relatively predictable shoulders and walls suitable for intermediate surfers in even modest swell, and Riozinho to the south, a river-mouth peak with steep takeoffs and hollow barrels that demands experience. On large south swells, these sections link to form extended rights stretching several hundred meters. Peak season is May through August, when south swell combines with northwest winds. Riozinho fires in the 3-8 foot range while Pico works down to 1.5 feet. Strong rip currents present a persistent hazard, and the beach draws dense crowds when conditions align. Campeche transitioned from a modest fishing settlement in the early 2000s into one of Florianópolis's most coveted neighborhoods, largely catalyzed by the arrival of Fábio Gouveia, who won the world amateur championship and became the first Brazilian to claim a professional tour event. His 2002 relocation to Campeche and subsequent influence as a mentor to rising Brazilian surfers established the area's reputation as a proving ground for elite talent within what became the modern Brazilian competitive dominance. The beach sits on the eastern shore of Florianópolis and is accessed via Avenida Pequeno Príncipe. Visitors driving from downtown reach it in roughly 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Paid parking lots operate near the beach entrance at standard daily rates, though spaces fill quickly during peak season; street parking is also available. Public buses run from downtown to the neighborhood, and ride-sharing apps offer direct service to the beach access points.

Praia do Cassino

Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Praia do Cassino near Rio Grande is a beginner-friendly beach break that handles both left and right-hand waves. Southern swell with westerly winds offers the most consistent conditions, though swimmers and surfers should watch for rip currents.

Praia do Diabo

Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Praia do Diabo, located near Arpoador in Rio de Janeiro City, is an intermediate beach break with a rock and sand bottom. It works best on low-to-mid tides with SE-SW swells and NW winds, offering waves in both directions. Expect rocks, a narrow crowded lineup, and strong localism.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Praia do Felix

Sao Paulo North Coast, Brazil

Praia do Felix is a sandy beach near Ubatuba. Surfable waves are found at the left end of the beach, while the calmer right end has a natural pool used for swimming and stand-up paddling.

Praia do Foguete

Rio de Janeiro Norte, Brazil

Praia do Foguete is a beach break near Cabo Frio in northern Rio de Janeiro that works best on easterly swells with southwesterly winds at low or high tides. Strong dangerous currents and cold, deep water are significant hazards at this spot. The break hosted the 2025 Talentos do Surf Finals, the third stage of the CSC Circuit.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Praia do Forte

Rio de Janeiro Norte, Brazil

Praia do Forte is a beginner-friendly beach break in Rio de Janeiro Norte, Brazil, near Cabo Frio. The sandy bottom attracts waves from both directions and responds best to easterly swell, with northeast winds offering optimal conditions. Watch for rocks and crowds; the break hosts several competitions including Circuito Top Surf, Talentos do Surf, Cabo Frio Surf Games, and Semana Municipal do Surf.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Praia Do Francês

Sergipe-Alagoas, Brazil

Praia Do Francês is a sand beach break near Marechal Deodoro in Sergipe-Alagoas, Brazil, with waves approaching from both directions and best swell from the south. Low tide and northwest wind offer optimal conditions at this break that hosts major competitions including the WSL-affiliated Circuito Banco do Brasil de Surfe and the Taça Brasil Francês Surf Festival. Be aware that crowds can build during these events and in peak conditions.

beginner · intermediate

Praia do Matadeiro

Brazil

Matadeiro is a beach break on the southern edge of Florianópolis with a sandy bottom that produces both left and right peaks. The wave is hollow and powerful, offering barrels near the peak, a good wall section, and fast runners. It handles 0.5 to 2 meters consistently and works well on all tides, responding best to southeast groundswell with southwest wind. Winter provides the most reliable conditions, with spring also favorable. The break is considered intermediate to advanced due to the wave's power and the intensity of the local crowd; dangerous rip currents are a known hazard in the water. The exact origins of recreational surfing here are unclear from available sources, though the beach itself takes its name from its use in the 18th century as a whale processing site. Access is by foot only—a 15-minute trail winds through Atlantic forest from Praia da Armação to reach the cove. The beach sits tucked into a small bay on the southern tip of Santa Catarina Island, with Atlantic forest running directly to the shoreline.

Praia do Moçambique

Brazil

Praia do Moçambique is a 13.5-kilometer exposed beach break with a sand bottom, offering both left and right peaks that cater to various conditions. Sandbanks scattered along the middle produce tubular or extended waves depending on swell angle. The most consistent peak, Canto das Aranhas at the northern end, serves up fast left-handers when clean conditions align—best during winter, particularly June, with southeast groundswell and northwest offshore winds, though the northern section works with easterly swell and northeastern wind. Typical wave heights range between 0.5 and 2.5 meters, with occasional four-meter sets during strong swell events. This is strictly an advanced-only break; surfers describe it as a preferred training ground for those preparing to charge waves in Hawaii and Indonesia due to the power and quality on offer. Hazards are pronounced: strong riptides pull consistently, and lineups swell dramatically when waves arrive. Winter water temperatures hover between 16 and 20 Celsius, making a sealed 3/2-millimeter wetsuit essential. Praia do Moçambique entered organized surfing culture during the 1970s and developed significantly through the 1980s with regional competitions. The Moçambique Surf Association, established in the early 2000s, anchors ongoing competitions including the Surfe Treino Moçambique event, which features divisions for various skill levels and has historically offered cash purses and equipment prizes. The beach earned Brazil's first National Surfing Reserve designation in August 2024, a recognition inspired by the global World Surfing Reserves program and reflecting community commitment to environmental stewardship alongside wave preservation. Access runs via dirt roads with soft sand—a four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicle is strongly advised. Multiple entry points and parking areas exist along the road with shade, but arriving early avoids both security risks and crowded conditions. The beach sits within the Rio Vermelho State Park on Florianópolis's northern island sector. No surf schools, rental facilities, or substantial food infrastructure exist on-site; bring your own supplies.

Praia do Perequê-Açu

Brazil

Praia do Pinho

Santa Catarina, Brazil

Praia do Pinho is an exposed beach break with both left and right waves that responds best to east-northeast swell combined with offshore west-southwest winds. Winter months bring the most consistent rideable conditions, with July typically offering clean waves roughly a third of the time, though that season also sees blown-out days fairly often. Wave heights run modest, generally staying below two meters in most forecasts. The beach absorbs crowds reasonably well when swell arrives, though busy lineups are common on good days. The beach holds a modest place in regional surfing culture as the site of the first naturist surfing championship in southern Brazil, held in January 2013 as part of the Brazilian naturist federation's 25th anniversary. Rafael Goulart, a longtime nudist beach regular at age 35, won the inaugural competition, which drew approximately a dozen competitors from across Santa Catarina. Praia do Pinho sits roughly 80 kilometers south of Florianópolis near Balneário Camboriú, with access through Avenida Rodesindo Pavan. The site operates as Brazil's first official nudist beach and charges a modest parking fee, with an additional fee for those parking in the dedicated clothing-optional section. Amenities include restaurants, bars, and a camping area on the property. Access has strict policies including a no-clothing requirement and restrictions on unaccompanied males unless members of international naturist organizations. ---

Praia do Secreto

Brazil

Praia do Secreto is a natural tide pool enclosed by rocks rather than a traditional beach, located between Praia da Macumba and Prainha. The break consists of waves that funnel into the rock-bounded pool; the spot is particularly popular for bodyboarding. Best swell direction comes from the south, with favorable winds from the north-northeast. The pool is highly tide-dependent, appearing usable only at low tide—high tide or excessive swell causes waves to wash over the rock barrier, creating hazardous conditions where water backs up against the cliff walls. The spot has been known among Rio's local surfer and bodyboarder community as part of the Prainha Environmental Protection Area, a designated forest reserve where recreational use is permitted but construction is prohibited. No major historical competitions or documented famous sessions are widely documented in available sources. Access requires a steep 15-meter descent down slippery rock formations with no formal path. The final section is particularly treacherous when wet. Safe access is only practical when seas are calm and the tide is very low—checking naval tide charts before attempting the descent is essential, as conditions can change rapidly.

Praia dos Açores

Santa Catarina, Brazil

Praia dos Açores is a sandy beach break near Pântano do Sul in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The spot works at all tide levels and responds best to SSE swell with NW winds. Expect crowds and localism.