Surf camps in Brazil

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).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.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.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.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.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.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.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. warm water, dolphins, and the mellow bay of Madeiro.

Brazil

Why Brazil

When to go

The five bases in this guide

Getting around

Surf spots in Brazil

On the map

Floripa Surf Hostel

Nexus Surf School

Floripa Surf Club

Mandala Rio Surf School

Surf Inn Rio

Escola de Surf Rico

Green House Saquarema

Casa do Surf Itaúna

Itaúna Inn & ESS Surf Camp

EasyDrop Surf Camp

Casa Clareia Surf Camp

The Surf's Cool

Surfcamp Arara

Pipa Surf School