A powerful left-hand point break tucked into Ribeira das Cadras Bay on São Paulo's northern coast, Praia Vermelha do Norte delivers serious surf when the conditions align. It comes alive on W to N swells in the 5-6ft range and holds clean, well-shaped walls well past 10ft, making it a genuine option for surfers comfortable on bigger days. Offshore winds out of the SE keep faces groomed and the wave organised from section to section. The lineup stays quiet mid-week and sees only a handful of surfers on weekends, which is rare for a wave of this quality in the region. Bottom: point. Season: autumn through winter when W-NW groundswells push into the bay. Consistency: moderate, swell-dependent. Bring a step-up for anything overhead, the paddle-out reads the bay current, so scout the channel before committing.
Weekdays the lineup is effectively empty, and even weekend sessions attract only a few surfers. That calm should not be read as an invitation to ignore basic respect in the water. A powerful, swell-dependent wave with limited crowd means the few surfers who do show up tend to know what they are doing.
Drive to Ribeira das Cadras Bay. Facilities at this end of the São Paulo coast are basic, so carry water and food. The wave is not suitable for beginners given its size requirements and power.
When swell is absent or too small for Praia Vermelha do Norte, the broader Ubatuba coast offers beach breaks and smaller point options that pick up lighter energy. Checking the bay from the road before paddling out is always worth the two minutes.
Forecast by Windy.app
