Barra do Gramame (Conde)
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Barra do Gramame (Conde) is a low-profile kitesurfing spot at the Rio Gramame river mouth, offering a “two-sided” riding environment: very flat conditions inside the river mouth and small waves along the ocean side of the bay. Wind is dominated by consistent trade winds from the NE through ENE to E, with the strongest, most dependable period running from July to December. Typical wind speeds are reported around 15–25 knots, and the season is described as highly reliable during these months. Regional conditions also note that a thermal sea-breeze effect can reinforce the trade winds during the afternoon (midday to late afternoon). The beach and launch are described as easy, with a wide sandy area for rigging and launching. Water quality is generally clean, but conditions can vary with rainfall and the river mouth can develop strong tidal currents during ebb and flood, which is the main safety consideration. Low tide can also make lagoon areas very shallow. For kitesurfing, the flat lagoon setup makes it attractive for beginners and freeride, with small-wave options on the ocean side. Surfing is generally gentle and short-ridden at the river mouth and is most workable with appropriate swell direction, while windsurfing and wingfoiling can also be possible for freeride/foil progression in the river-mouth area.
- Reliable July–December NE to E trade winds (often around 15–25 knots)
- Flat-water lagoon inside the river mouth plus small ocean waves across the bay
- Warm year-round water with no wetsuit usually required
- Facilities on-site: toilets, parking, food (and bar in some listings)
- Warm water year-round with no wetsuit needed for most riders
- Reliable trade-wind season from July to December
- A protected river-mouth setup for flat-water riding plus small ocean waves across the bay
- Shallow areas can become very limited at low tide
- Strong tidal currents can develop at the river mouth during ebb and flood
- Occasional river-bank debris (driftwood/seasonal debris)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent trade-wind pattern across the July–December season.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach and river-mouth area.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves on the ocean along the long bay; flatter inside the river mouth.
- Chop Level
- Light chop
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach at the river mouth with ample space for rigging and launching.
Through the year
Weekends can be busy with local tourists; weekdays generally quiet; low-profile/locally oriented overall.
February to May (with additional regional notes describing higher shower chances around April to June).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water inside the Rio Gramame river mouth with small waves on the ocean side of the bay; suitable for freeride and beginner wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and foil in the river mouth area or the open ocean.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Protected learning area near the river mouth, with small bumps for carving on the ocean side.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — River mouth conditions described as foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Gentle beach break at the river mouth suitable for longboarding and beginners.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cross-onshore wind is common; morning sessions are typically cleaner.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and heavy with strong currents during large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides on shifting sandbars near the river entrance.
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides on shifting sandbars near the river entrance.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Barra do Gramame (Conde) in the full forecast view.
Barra do Gramame (Conde) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- E98°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2812 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Barra do Gramame (Conde) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–1.3 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Strong tidal currents at the river mouth during ebb and flood tides
- Tidal changes
- Occasional driftwood or seasonal debris near river banks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No formal dedicated kite rescue service; safety relies on local support/peer assistance.
- Emergency Info
- Medical facilities are available in João Pessoa (about 20 km away). Regional emergency numbers: 192 (SAMU/medical) and 193 (Fire/Rescue).
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming areas near the beach bars.
- Be mindful of the tide; the lagoon area can become very shallow at low tide.
- The current is strongest when the river is emptying into the ocean.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Joao Pessoa
- Nearest Town
- Jacuma
- Nearest Airport
- Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (JPA)
- Parking
- On-site sandy parking areas near local beach huts.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus service to the coast; car rentals, taxis, or private transfers from João Pessoa are commonly used.
- Access
- From Joao Pessoa drive south to Jacuma; then continue to the river mouth at the end of the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Pousadas and hotels are available in Jacumã and João Pessoa.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drinks available on-site; rustic beach bars (barracas) serve seafood and drinks in some listings.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental equipment is available through local schools and mobile instructors who frequent the river mouth area.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is limited and is mostly provided by local schools or specific eco-pousadas catering to kiters.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs can be facilitated by local schools; major repairs may require transport to João Pessoa.
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 Barra do Gramame (Conde)?
The best overall months at Barra do Gramame (Conde) are July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Barra do Gramame (Conde)?
Barra do Gramame (Conde) works with NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Barra do Gramame (Conde)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Barra do Gramame (Conde): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Barra do Gramame (Conde) suitable for?
Barra do Gramame (Conde) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.