Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) is a Paracuru-area point-break known for consistent right-hand wave sessions. The wave starts breaking near the rocky point and can run for a long time, with the best surfing reported around mid tide. Wave quality is described as good, with a peeling section over a sand-and-rock bottom. The main limitation is the reef: submerged rocks, sharp reef areas, and boulders are reported hazards, and they become especially dangerous when the tide is low. Spot guidance emphasizes avoiding low tide for both surf and navigation around the rocky point, and it notes that larger swell can hold size but becomes more powerful—requiring precise positioning to avoid the rocks. Wind at this spot follows a trade-wind pattern that is strongest in the second half of the year. NE/E/SE winds are reported as best from July through December, and the afternoon sea-breeze reinforcement can strengthen the trades. For kitesurfing, riders commonly target the wave riding lines (starting upwind and riding down through the point), making it a wave-focused destination rather than a flat-water freeride location. Conditions are also influenced by wind and crowds in the surf zone. Kitesurfers must give way to traditional surfers, and traditional surfers reportedly dominate the peak early in the morning before the wind increases. Water quality is reported as cloudy in some references, so visibility may be limited during parts of the season.
- Consistent right-hand point-break wave sessions
- Mid-tide is the best window for surfing
- Trade-wind season from July to December supports wave-focused kitesurfing
- Very consistent wave behavior for surf sessions.
- High reliability trade winds in the season for kitesurfing wave riding.
- Long right-hand point-break rides are possible on good days.
- Rocky/reef hazards make it unsuitable for beginners, especially at low tide.
- Water can be cloudy.
- Cross-shore wind during the windy season can complicate surfing technique.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 18–28 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind regime reinforced by inland heating.
- Reliability
- Very high during the season; typically exceeding 90% of days above 4 Beaufort.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with a rocky point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Reported small-to-medium; one source describes small waves, another describes medium waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch area in front of the rocky point; becomes narrower at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch is reported as moderate difficulty.
Through the year
Busier on weekends and during Brazilian summer holidays (December-January).
February to May is the primary rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wave riding is the main attraction: most riders start upwind and ride the waves down through the point, often as a destination for wave sessions rather than flat-water freestyle.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Excellent for wave riding and bump-and-jump, but less frequented than a nearby area.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible for wave-foiling, but the rocky reef requires careful navigation and a high tide for sufficient mast clearance.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly is reported as limited due to rocks/reef.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m
- Wing Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Long right-hand point break that peels over a sand-and-rock bottom; best as the line runs and holds by the rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works best on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline; limited wind/swell protection.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore wind from the right can provide cleaner faces, but it also makes it difficult for pure surfing during the windy season.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well; becomes more powerful and requires precise positioning to avoid the rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good reported wave quality; consistency noted in spot descriptions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling point-break section.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels steadily; medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer medium-to-long rides on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 80–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides up to about 150 meters on good days; typical range reported as 80–150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) in the full forecast view.
Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–17 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- E89°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 27–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.5–0.8 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Sharp reef
- Strong currents
- Crowds in the surf zone
- Prominent rocky reef and boulders (more exposed at low tide)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is reported as none for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Hospitals are located in Paracuru town center, approximately 10-15 minutes away by car.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported as moderately local.
Rules of the spot
Priority rules are strictly observed in the surf lineup. Kitesurfers must give way to traditional surfers.
- Avoid low tide due to shallow, exposed rocks/reef.
- Avoid riding at low tide when rocks are shallow and exposed.
- For kiting, choose wind that is slightly more side-off or cross-shore.
- Traditional surfers dominate the peak early in the morning before the wind picks up.
- Watch the breaking line near the rocks; the wave starts by the rocks and can run a long time.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fortaleza
- Nearest Town
- Paracuru
- Parking
- Limited informal parking available near the beach access points and the nearby resort.
- Access
- Accessible via unpaved roads leading from Paracuru towards the Carnaubinha area; 4WD is recommended but not always necessary in the dry season.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Pousadas and accommodation options are concentrated near Paracuru town center and main beach access; one mentioned option is a beach resort at Carnaubinha.
- Food & Drink
- A few beach huts and the resort restaurant offer food and drinks close to the spot.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at major schools in central Paracuru, but not directly at this specific beach point.
- Gear Storage
- Not available at the spot; usually provided by accommodation or schools in town.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services are available in central Paracuru.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Paracuru area offers dune and buggy-tour activities and town-center cultural life alongside the wind and wave sport scene.
Massive white sand dunes with sunset views and buggy tours.
Central town square and a hub for local evening life and Ceará culture.
Off-road excursions along the coastline to neighboring lagoons and beaches.
A well-known seafood restaurant catering to the international kitesurfing community.
Exposed reef pools at low tide suitable for swimming and children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha)?
The best overall months at Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) are July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha)?
Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) works with NE, E, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 18–28 kts.
What skill level is Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) suitable for?
Boca do Poco (Carnaubinha) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.