Last updated on February 10th, 2024 at 07:09 pm
If you plan to surf in Santa Catarina, you came to the right place. In this surf guide, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including surf seasons, surfer tips, and the best surf spots in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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About Surfing in Santa Catarina, Brazil
If you really want to feel the Brazilian surf scene with the beautiful beaches, constant waves, and “Samba vibe”, you need to surf in Santa Catarina. Sure, Brazil is a huge country with an enormous coastline, so there is no shortage of surf breaks. However, the southern part of the country, and the state of Santa Catarina in particular, receives the best swells. Considering swell consistency and wave size, Santa Catarina is definitely the Brazilian surf capital.
Santa Catarina State is located on the Southeast Coast of Brazil, south of Rio. The state’s capital is Florianopolis, or Floripa, on the Island of Santa Catarina. This area is famous for its beautiful beaches and developed tourism scene. Therefore, when surfing in Santa Catarina, it is very easy to get around and find hotels, restaurants, shops, and transportation. Moreover, compared to other places in Brazil, Santa Catarina is totally safe, and you can walk around the streets without worrying.
The surf in Santa Catarina is absolutely spectacular. Facing the South Atlantic swells, this coastline produces the best waves in the country. It is consistent, powerful, and incredibly diverse. Actually, the variety of surf beaches in Santa Catarina allows any surfer to find the right spot according to his skill level. When surfing in Santa Catarina, you can choose between beach breaks, reefs, and points and be surrounded by a happy coastal vibe, like only Brazil has.
Surf Seasons in Santa Catarina
The best time to surf Santa Catarina is definitely between April and October. During these months of the Brazilian winter, the south swells from Antarctica hit the shore with all their strength. Sure, you can find some surfable waves year-round, but this season can guarantee big and consistent waves, especially from June to August.
As for the climate in Santa Catarina, it is subtropical. That means you can expect occasional rain on any given day. However, those rains usually don’t last long and shouldn’t bother you on your surf trip. Moreover, the average air temperature in the surf season is always warm and ranges from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F).
The water temperature is relatively cold and ranges from 18°C to 22°C during the surf season. Therefore, while surfing in Santa Catarina, you definitely need to bring your wetsuit. In fact, between April and June, you can get away with a vest or a spring suit, but from July to October, a 3/2 long wetsuit is required.
Surf Spots in Santa Catarina
The State of Santa Catarina is home to many good surf spots. Wherever you go, you can see people walking with their surfboards under their arms on their way to the beach. The surf in Santa Catarina is always on, so you just need to choose your favorite spot. So, in detail, these are the main surf spots in Santa Catarina:
Praia Mole:
This long beach strip is the perfect place for beginner and intermediate surfers. The waves here break softly over a sandy bottom and very close to shore. Moreover, this is one of the most consistent spots in the area.
Joaquina:
Praia da Joaquina is probably the most famous surf spot in Santa Catarina. In fact, back in 1986, Joaquina Beach hosted the first world championship in Brazil and produced epic waves during the competition. The waves here are extremely powerful and can be huge when a good swell hits. Therefore, this spot is suitable for advanced surfers only.
Praia da Vila:
You will find this spot in the city of Imbatuba, in the southern part of the state. This is one of the best waves in Brazil, with great consistency and decent size. Unlike other messy Brazilian waves, this one is clean and perfectly shaped, so it is extremely popular among surfers. Due to the quality of this break, many surf competitions take place here.
Garopaba:
A bit south of Santa Catarina Island, this spot is primarily famous as a holiday destination. However, it also offers a great variety of surf spots of all kinds. The main ones are Ferrugem and Silveria, but if you walk along the beach, you can also find other great breaks.
Itapoa:
On this beach, you will see 3 huge rocks pop out of the water. If you paddle out to the third one, you will find an incredibly long wave. This is where you can ride some open walls with massive power.
Itapema:
During the winter months, this spot produces incredible surf. In fact, you can surf both a point break and a beach break. Just head over to Flamingo Beach, and you will see the surfers in the lineup waiting for their wave. Be aware of the current, as it is extremely powerful.
Jaguaruna:
This is one of the most southern surf spots in Santa Catarina and it is recommended for experts only. It is a pure “slab”, where the swell breaks with a massive barrel over a shallow reef. If you have the skills to handle this kind of wave, you will get a hell of a ride.
Surf Camps in Santa Catarina
If you are a beginner making his first steps in the surfing world or even an intermediate seeking improvement, you can explore Santa Catarina’s surf scene at a surf camp. These are the most recommended ones in town:
1. Sea Wolf Surf Club
2. Brazil Surfing Adventure
3. Hostel Casa Terra
For all the details about surf camps in Santa Catarina, please click here.
Surf Hotels in Santa Catarina
When coming to surf in Santa Catarina, you want to make sure you stay in the right place, which means as close as possible to the best waves. So, these are some of the most recommended surf hotels in the area:
1. Slaviero Ingleses Convention– Situated on Praia dos Ingleses, Slaviero Ingleses Convention offers an outside pool with sun loungers, free WiFi, and private parking.
2. Cris Hotel– Located right on the sands of famous Joaquina Beach, Cris Hotel offers free WiFi throughout the property and private parking. It also provides a delicious daily buffet breakfast.
3. Graffi Beach Hostel– Located in Florianópolis, Graffi Beach Hostel offers beachfront accommodation a few steps from Praia do Campeche and provides various facilities, such as a restaurant, a bar, and a shared lounge. Around 1.3 km from Praia do Morro das Pedras, the property is also 4.4 km away from Campeche Island and offers free WiFi. The accommodation provides evening entertainment and a shared kitchen.
For more surf hotels in Santa Catarina, check out the best deals on Booking.com.
Santa Catarina- Travel Information
Language– Portuguese.
Population– about 7 million.
Currency– Brazilian real.
Calling code– +55.
Time zone– GMT -3.
Pros– a huge variety of surf spots, consistent waves, and great nightlife.
Cons– cold water, unpredictable winds.
Conclusion- A Final Thought
To sum up, if you are going on a surf trip to Brazil, focusing on the area of Santa Catarina would be your best choice. With so many surf breaks and a great Brazilian vibe, this place is definitely a lot of fun for traveling and surfing in particular.
We hope you enjoyed reading this surf guide to Santa Catarina. Have a great surf trip!
