Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Baía da Rata is an advanced, remote point break on Fernando de Noronha with a reputation for powerful right-hand waves. The wave is described as peeling and capable of longer rides when the swell correctly lines up with the point, but it only works with the right combination of swell and tide—mid tide is consistently highlighted as the best window. The spot is notably hazardous. The lineup is over sharp reef/rock with submerged hazards (including “Pedra da Rata”), sea urchins, and a shark-populated area. Currents are reported as strong along the point, and the spot is exposed, so conditions can become turbulent and difficult quickly. Wind conditions can also strongly affect usability. Reported trade-wind conditions are not consistently reliable, and the spot is described as best with light offshore winds from the West; stronger trades (especially SE) can make the ride choppy and harder. Operationally, the spot is restricted and logistics-heavy: it lies inside the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park, with park entrance and environmental preservation fees required, and visitors are expected to follow ranger instructions. Medical/rescue support is limited for the water itself, so planning safe access (boat access is described as the safest approach) and surfing with appropriate caution is essential.
- Right-hand point break over reef/rock (advanced-only)
- Best at mid tide; February highlighted as the top month
- Very high hazard level: sharks, rocks/reef, and sea urchins
- Powerful, high-quality right-hand point break when conditions connect
- Water reported as pristine and exceptionally clear within the protected marine park
- Very exposed conditions and significant rock/reef hazards
- High-risk shark environment (do not surf alone)
- Strong tidal currents
- Difficult/remote access (primarily by boat)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind regime reported for the spot.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Partially sheltered from SE trades by the main island’s terrain, which can create turbulent conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf; best working swell height reported as 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Difficult entry and exit due to sharp rocks and breaking waves; boat access is highly recommended.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Difficult entry/exit due to sharp rocks and breaking waves.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded due to difficult access and the presence of sharks.
Rainy season typically runs from March to July (peak rainfall cited around May).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-quality right-hand point break that requires specific swell conditions to work; it’s known for its power and a shark-present area with extensive rock/reef hazards.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Works best with light offshore winds from the West; strong SE trades make it choppy and difficult.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes very dangerous due to currents and proximity to rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long, peeling walls when the swell connects with the point correctly.
- Ride Length Details
- Produces long, peeling walls when the swell connects with the point correctly.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) in the full forecast view.
Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–17 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ESE109°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 26–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents
- Remote location
- Sharp volcanic rocks
- Submerged reef heads
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Reported as no rescue availability for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Hospital São Lucas is the only medical facility on the island, located in Vila dos Remédios.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Located within the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park; visitors must pay environmental taxes and a park entrance fee. Surfing is permitted but follow all park ranger instructions.
- Protected Marine Park area
- Night surfing discouraged due to shark activity
- Park entrance fee required
- Boat access from the Port is the safest way to reach the spot.
- Never surf alone due to the high frequency of shark sightings.
- Watch out for the 'Pedra da Rata' submerged rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Natal
- Nearest Town
- Vila dos Remédios
- Nearest Airport
- Fernando de Noronha Airport (FNO/FEN)
- Parking
- No vehicle access to the beach; boat mooring or distant park parking only.
- Public Transport
- A single road with a regular bus service running its length is described; buggies are common for visitor transport.
- Access
- Extremely difficult overland access; primarily reached by boat or a very long trek through rugged park terrain.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — On-island lodging in the main village area, several kilometers away.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; all supplies must be brought from town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in Vila dos Remédios, though advanced gear is limited.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as available (often provided by lodges).
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be possible in town; no specialized advanced repair described.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha)?
The best overall months at Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) are January, February, March, April, December. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha)?
Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) works with W, SW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) suitable for?
Baía da Rata (Fernando de Noronha) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.