Barrinha (Barra do Saí)

Barrinha (Barra do Saí) is a low-profile sandy beach break right at the Saí Guaçu river mouth. It produces fast right-hand waves and is best with East to SE swell combined with offshore westerly winds. Reports emphasize that the wave can start working around 1.0 to 1.5 meters and can hold up to roughly 3 meters or more when conditions build. Despite the sandy bottom, the break is not risk-free: rocks around the jetty/river mouth are a known hazard, and the river-mouth area can generate strong currents and rip currents. Sources also note varying water depth near the river mouth, and that heavy shore break may appear on bigger swells—so sessions are generally for experienced surfers. In terms of wave feel, the right-hand sections are described as peeling with fast peel speed. Ride length is presented as short in some accounts (<50m), while other descriptions point to longer rides on good days (up to ~50–150m, with ~75m cited as typical). Wave quality is consistently described as good. The spot is also described as more protected during large extratropical swells, which can make it a practical option when other areas are crowded or dangerous. However, rescue availability is limited and lifeguards are seasonal, so surfers should treat strong currents and rock hazards as the primary operational concerns—especially when the river discharge increases after heavy rain.