A 7,000 km coast with two surf seasons. In the Southern-Hemisphere winter (roughly May–September), cold-front groundswells light up the southeast and south — Saquarema, Rio, and Santa Catarina — while warm-water Bahia and the Northeast tip stay surfable year-round. This guide covers five in-season bases: Florianópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Saquarema, Itacaré, and Praia da Pipa.
Best months to visit
May–Sep
Varies by coast — see each one below
In our catalog
43 camps
19 surf spots mapped
Why Brazil
Brazil's surf coast is enormous and splits into distinct regions. The southeast and south — Rio de Janeiro state and Santa Catarina — pick up powerful S/SE groundswells from Southern-Hemisphere winter cold fronts; this is why the WSL runs its Brazil leg at Saquarema in the winter window. Further north, Bahia (Itacaré) and the Northeast tip (Praia da Pipa) have warmer water and more even year-round consistency.
When to go
May–Sep (winter): Prime for the south and southeast — the biggest, cleanest, most consistent swell at Saquarema, Rio, and Florianópolis. Cooler water in the south (spring suit or 3/2 in Santa Catarina).
Dec–Mar (summer): Warmer, smaller, more beginner-friendly in the south; the Northeast's N/NE-swell window. Busy and pricier around the holidays.
Itacaré and Pipa surf year-round and are also good in the winter S/SE window — Pipa's July is a rainier, breezier, but very consistent season.
The five bases in this guide
Florianópolis (Santa Catarina): the island with the country's best all-round surf — Joaquina, Praia Mole, Campeche, Barra da Lagoa.
Rio de Janeiro: iconic Arpoador plus the long, forgiving beach breaks of Barra da Tijuca and Macumba.
Saquarema: Itaúna is Brazil's premier competition wave and the surf capital; winter is its season.
Itacaré (Bahia): warm water, Atlantic-rainforest points like Tiririca, and a deep bench of surf schools.
Praia da Pipa (Rio Grande do Norte): warm water, dolphins, and the mellow bay of Madeiro.
Getting around
Fly into Florianópolis (FLN), Rio (GIG/SDU), or Natal (NAT, for Pipa); Itacaré is about 70 km from Ilhéus (IOS). These regions are far apart — treat each as its own trip, not a single road route.
Surf camps in Brazil
South — Santa Catarina
Best: May–Sep
Cold-front groundswell and the country’s best all-round surf. Cooler water; a spring suit or 3/2 in winter.
Southeast — Rio & São Paulo
Best: May–Sep
The same winter S/SE swell window, warmer, and the country’s competition coast at Saquarema.
Northeast — Bahia to Ceará
Best: Year-round
Warm water and even consistency all year, with a N/NE swell window over the southern summer.
Fernando de Noronha
Best: Dec–Mar
An offshore archipelago 350 km out, reached by flight and a conservation fee — and on the opposite season to the mainland.
