Brazil is the largest country in South America, with exactly seven thousand, nine hundred forty-one kilometers (approximately 4934 miles) worth of coastline. But how did the best surfing in Brazil start? The first surfers appeared around 1930 when international travelers came to Santos, a city on the coast of Sao Paulo. After that, it slowly spread to Southern Brazil and turned into a loved tradition.
But with so much area to cover, we ask ourselves: where to get the best surfing in Brazil? Is it Fernando de Noronha? Somewhere in Rio de Janeiro? We’ve got the best places along our share of the Atlantic Ocean. We welcome your skill level to make sure you get the best surfing in Brazil no matter what.
Surf culture in Brazil is booming beyond Rio and Florianรณpolis. New hotspots like Itacarรฉ and Sรฃo Francisco do Sul are gaining traction for their consistent swells, cool surf schools, and laid-back beach scenes perfect for beginners and pros alike.
So while you travel through Latin America, why don’t you get to know the best spots!
Also, should you have plans to explore other areas of our beautiful country that are not listed here, we also put together our all inclusive Brazil travel guide for your convenience. You can read it later, and now, onto more on these awesome surf spots.
The Best Surf Spots on the Coast of Brazil:
Best Surfing in Brazil: FlorianรณpolisThe Southern Gem
The island of Florianopolis is a truly privileged place for people looking for the best surfing in Brazil. Besides being one of my favorite places, I grew up on car rides through these gorgeous streets, you can also look for the best wave on great beaches. And you will have plenty to choose from because remember: it is an island! So there are all kinds of waters and sands to pick.
A favorite of surfers of all levels is Praia Mole, close to Lagoa da Conceiรงรฃo, it has very defined peaks and consistent waves; the best time of the year to come over is fall/winter, so March to September. Another great spot for quality waves on the island of Santa Catarina is Praia Joaquina. Because this beach offers great waves of all sizes, it became a favorite of amateurs and professional Brazilian surfers alike. You can often find stars like Gabriel Medina having a great time!
Rio de Janeiro: Everybody’s Favorite
Leaving Southern Brazil, we go towards everybody’s favorite: Rio de Janeiro. Coming here is the best of all worlds because we can do so much more than surfing. It’s arguably Brazil’s most iconic tourist destination, giving you a perfect opportunity to begin learning how to surf. We can find surf schools available at each of its best surf spots, so you won’t have to worry about having previous knowledge. Just make sure you have good insurance before getting in the water. There’s no way to get the best surfing in Brazil if you’re not prepared!
Rio de Janeiro is best for Brazilian winter surfing, meaning the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. For the less experienced surfer, Praia do Arpoador is perfect with its mildly agitated water making a variety of waves. The Postinho at Barra da Tijuca is home to the World Surf Championship so you can count on it being friendly for your skill level. Lastly, you can stay in town at Ipanema, this beach has short, small waves perfect for beginners.
Jericoacoara: Perfect for Beginner Surf Sessions
Jericoacoara is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve had the chance to see, and coming to northeastern beaches is always a treat because of their warm waters. Jericoacoara is a place to get the best surfing in Brazil because it has no huge swells or bigger waves, so beginner surfers like me are all set to have their first few classes in a welcoming environment. We need always to remember to hire travel insurance with good coverage for sports.
The beach’s main surfing spot is right in front of Clubeventos since the water is calmer and perfect for both beginners and people who prefer to use a longboard. Now, if you have a little more experience or would like to learn how to use a shorter surfboard, you can head east to Praia Malhada!
Praia da Pipa: A Gem on the Northeastern Coast of Brazil
Continuing our journey to find the best surfing in Brazil, let’s make a quick stop on the southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Praia da Pipa is what locals call the huge coastline of Timbau do Sul, ten kilometers (about six miles) are perfect for your surf trip. Professional surfers are available to teach a beginner surf session while advanced surfers are free to enjoy the warm waters.
You can catch the best wave at Centro Beach, it has the most consistent surf and the shore is perfect for having a break when you feel tired. But if you are a more experienced surfer, head over to Praia do Giz. This beach is accessible only through a trail or by boat and while the water temperature is perfect, it is also very agitated so be careful!
Itacarรฉ: Brazil’s City of Surf
Itacarรฉ, a smaller town in Bahia, became famous as a great surf destination because of its great surf most days of the year. I would definitely recommend you come here for a more well-rounded experience since Itacarรฉ offers more than just a beach break, you can do other activities like rafting, following trails to gorgeous waterfalls, going on bike rides, or doing sightseeing from a boat.
The reason this is one of Brazil’s best surf spots is because, like other beaches on this list, it is welcoming for every skill level. Itacarรฉzinho, only accessible through an easy trail, is one of the best places because we get great waves even with a low tide. But one of the best surf spots is Tiririca, friendly for all but it does get crowded often so come early!
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha, also known as the Brazilian Hawaii, is without a question home to the best surfing in Brazil. Though it is a perfect place for catching hollow barrels, you have to plan for coming in the correct season. While the deep south of Brazil is best for surfing during the winter months (June through September), Fernando de Noronha is best for Summer surfing (December through March).
The bigger swells on the island can be found on the Cacimba do Padre Beach, with waves easily reaching ten feet or higher. But if you are not so confident and want a safer environment for learning, feel free to head over to Praia da Conceiรงรฃo for calmer waves and instructors to help you out.
What to Bring on a Surfing Trip to Brazil?
I don’t know about you but I somehow always manage to forget something while packing for a trip. It becomes an even bigger nightmare on an international trip where you most likely will be on a budget. And you’ll definitely not know where to buy most things. So to help you out, here’s a short list of what to bring for a surfing trip:
- โGood sunscreen, preferably bring one specifically for your face too!
- A comfortable surf hat to avoid sunburns on your scalp.
- Swimwear that is appropriate for surfing in.
- Clothing suitable for the weather you expect to find.
- Rash Guard to avoid having pesky rashes stand in the way of fun.
- Towels if you like to have your own.
And never forget to hire good insurance for your time spent on the waves. Practicing sports is no joke, you always want to be safe. Have the best time and tell me if you find the best surfing in Brazil!
