A hollow, powerful beachbreak that punches well above its weight on the right swell, Maresias sits roughly 2 hours from São Paulo along the Rio-Santos road. SE to S groundswells groomed by NE offshore winds detonate over the sandbars here, throwing top-to-bottom lefts and rights that have trained some of Brazil's top competitive surfers, including Gabriel Medina, who grew up in this town. The wave starts moving at under 1m and holds well past 5m, but the upper range is no place for intermediates or below. At size, there are no reliable channels, rips swirl unpredictably, and sets can pin you in the impact zone for long stretches. Bottom: sand. Season: SE-S groundswell season, roughly autumn through winter. Consistency: high when swell is on, but NE and small E swells are blocked by Ilhabela, so flat spells happen. Bring a step-up for bigger days and check the western end, Canto do Moreira, where the headland produces a heavy wedge.
This is one of the most crowded lineups in the state, packed on weekends year-round. Local pros train here and competitions run regularly. Locals are serious and protective of their peak. Dawn patrol on weekdays is your best window. Respect the hierarchy in the water, keep priority rules clean, and don't expect a warm welcome if you're unfamiliar.
From São Paulo, take the Anchieta highway to the Rio-Santos road (approximately 2 hours). There is a car park at the beach. Camping is available nearby. Food and basic supplies are accessible in the town of Maresias. No major pollution concerns and no specific natural hazards beyond the strong, swirling rips at size.
When Maresias is maxed out or too crowded, Camburi can produce quality lefts on a major S swell and rights in an E swell a short drive away. Boraceia spreads the crowd across a longer stretch of beach with more workable walls for performance surfing. Ilhabela, accessible by ferry, offers additional options when the mainland is blocked or blown out.
Forecast by Windy.app
