Surf trips in Sao Paulo
Consistent beachbreak peaks, hollow tubes, competitive energy, two hours from São Paulo city.
São Paulo's coast delivers punchy beachbreaks and occasional point-break walls across 49 confirmed spots, clustered between Santos and Ubatuba.
SE and S groundswells dominate April through September, with E wind offshores in early morning. December through March brings lighter swell and summer crowds.
The region suits intermediates to advanced surfers who can read shifting sandbars and handle hollow, powerful peaks. I'd base in Santos or Ubatuba for access to the best sandbars and fastest logistics from the city.
Expect year-round crowds on weekends. The region rarely produces massive walls, but consistency and wave variety make it a legitimate training ground for competitive Brazilian surfers.
Find a wave, then pick a bed
16 spots and 0 camps in Sao Paulo.
When Sao Paulo fires
Sao Paulo, the long version
Logistics
São Paulo city is the access point. Santos sits 80 km southeast, a 90-minute drive via BR-116. Ubatuba lies 250 km north, a 4-hour drive via BR-101.
Most surfers rent a car or use a scooter once coastal. The Rio-Santos highway (BR-101) hugs the coastline and connects all major breaks from Santos through Ubatuba. Buses run frequent routes between towns.
Accommodation clusters in Santos (harbor-side budget hotels), Guaruá, Camburi, and Ubatuba (beachfront hostels, pousadas). Surf shops exist in Santos and Ubatuba for board repairs and wax. Internet is reliable in town centers, spotty in smaller coastal villages.
Allow minimum 5-7 days to surf 3-4 distinct zones. 2 weeks to cover the full coast properly.
Lineup etiquette
The São Paulo coast runs thick with local surfers, especially weekends. Maresias and Camburi are training grounds for competitive talent. Respect the hierarchy and don't drop in.
Point breaks like Porta do Sol and São Pedro demand tidal knowledge and paddle fitness. Locals will call you out for sloppy waves. Beginners paddle out confidently on small days but should watch from the beach on overhead sets.
Arrive early, stay respectful, and don't hog the peak. E-swell days pull fewer crowds than S swells. Chase those windows for more space.
Avoid holidays (Christmas, Carnival, July school break) unless you crave gridlock.
What to pack
Bring a 6'0 - 6'4 high-performance shortboard and a 6'4 - 6'8 mid-length for mushier, slower peaks on small days. Water temps range 18°C (June-August) to 27°C (February-March). Pack a spring suit (2/2mm) for winter sessions and boardies for summer.
Reef booties help on rocky take-offs at Praia do Forte and São Pedro. Sunscreen is essential. Use reef-safe lotion.
A light backpack for dawn sessions, a rash guard, and good board shorts with secure pockets. First-aid kit for cuts on rocky sections. Most towns have pharmacies but stock your own blister prevention and anti-fungal spray.
When to go
April through September is prime. Consistent S to SE groundswells, stable NE offshores, and moderate crowds make this the best window. May and June see the coldest water (18-20°C) and the most organized beachbreak banks.
July brings school holidays and surge crowds. September offers cleaner conditions and emptier lineups. October through March is gamble time.
Summer swells are lighter, E-dominated, and unpredictable. December and January pack holiday tourists. February can be flat.
March can fire but also brings unsettled wind patterns. If you must come summer, chase E swell windows and wake early.
Where to eat post-surf
Santos has dozens of beachfront restaurants. Hit Boi Preto for grilled fish and cold beer five minutes from Embaré. In Ubatuba, Pizzaria e Restaurante Kalimera serves honest pasta and local catch near Praia Grande.
For fuel-up carbs after a heavy morning session, seek out juice bars selling açaí with granola and banana. They're ubiquitous along the coast. Markets sell fresh fruit, cheese, and bread for swell-chase road food.
Avoid tourist traps. Eat where locals eat.
Hidden alternatives
When Maresias and Camburi pack out, head to Praia Vermelha do Centro (south of Santos), a punchy beachbreak that works in wide swell windows and stays quieter on weekends. Toninhas in northern Ubatuba breaks in three distinct peaks and clears out weekdays.
E swell here is your friend when S swell is weak. Praia do Forte dos Andradas is a rare long point-break that only fires on massive E swells, but when it does, you'll have space and long walls.
These alternatives require more travel time and swell knowledge but offer escape from the regional crowds.
The questions we get asked most
Partially. Small-swell days at Santos, Camburi, and Toninhas suit total beginners. But most breaks run hollow and powerful. Intermediate fitness is safer. Start with a guide or local lesson, not alone.
July (school holidays), December-January (summer holidays), and weekends at Maresias and Camburi pack fast. Weekday mornings in April-June are emptier. Arrive 7am or chase E-swell windows to escape crowds.
Yes. Winter (June-August) demands a 3/2mm spring suit. Summer (December-February) allows 2mm or boardies. Water ranges 18-27°C. Never go unprotected. Reef cuts are common.