Bonete (Ilhabela)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bonete (Ilhabela) is a remote sandy beach break on Ilhabela’s southern coast, known for powerful, hollow waves and a pristine, off-the-grid atmosphere. The wave setup can deliver both left and right-handers, with conditions especially strong when south/south-easterly swell combines with offshore north and north-west wind components. Providers also describe the waves as able to hold size well, working from below the 1-meter range up into roughly the 2.5-meter-plus scale. Surf quality is described as excellent or “regional classic,” with fast, vertical faces and hollow sections. One source characterizes the break as exposed and capable of offering barrel potential when groomed by offshore winds; another emphasizes that the spot remains consistent and very often provides rideable waves across the best season. Ride lengths are generally described as short, with a common estimate of about 30–60 meters. This is an advanced-experience spot due to safety realities. Multiple sources warn about dangerous rip currents and the presence of rocks (notably isolated rocks at the ends of the beach), plus heavy shore-break behavior on some days. The remote setting also reduces immediate safety support: no lifeguards are reported, and rescue availability is described as none at the beach level. Limited cell reception and the need for boat or a long hike for emergencies further increase the need to be fully prepared and self-reliant. Access and seasonality strongly shape planning. The beach is reached by a long Atlantic-forest trek (about 12 km, roughly 4–5 hours) or by boat. Winter is consistently highlighted as the best period, with May as a key month, and several sources extending the main surfing window into June through August/September under offshore-leaning wind patterns. Facilities are limited to basic amenities such as toilets, while bringing essential surf supplies is strongly recommended since surf rentals and on-beach support may be absent.
- Very consistent beach-break surfing conditions
- Powerful, hollow waves with potential barrel sections
- Breathtaking remote Atlantic Forest setting and difficult access
- Powerful, hollow beach-break surfing with high wave quality.
- Very consistent swell frequency is described (frequent working days).
- Pristine, undeveloped natural setting with strong eco-atmosphere.
- Remote access makes spontaneity difficult (long hike or boat).
- Rips and rocky hazards make this spot risky for anyone without advanced experience.
- No on-site rescue or lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, NW, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NW, NE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Spot wind guidance is limited/inconsistent across sources; conditions are described as offshore N/NW components during surf windows, plus possible sea-breeze effects.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Wind is described with moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- May
- Shadow Zones
- High hills surrounding the beach create significant wind shadows for most directions except those directly from the ocean
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Golden/sandy beach described.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small by one provider, while other sources indicate the spot starts working below ~1 meter and can hold up to around 2.5 meters+.
- Launch
- Medium — A long sandy launch/beach stretch; one source describes an approximately 800-meter golden sand stretch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates launch difficulty as easy, while another rates it as moderate due to wave power affecting entry.
Through the year
Usually uncrowded; can see more visitors during summer holidays and long weekends.
December to March (rainy season with heavier showers reported)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote exposed sandy beach break with powerful, hollow waves. The wave system offers both left and right-handers and is most consistent during winter swell conditions; wave faces can groom well with offshore N/NW wind but the spot can become extremely heavy with strong rips.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One source says it works at all tide stages; another source reports best around low and mid tide. Combined guidance: arrive ready for a range, with particular attention to low/mid windows when possible.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break with limited shelter; described as exposed overall despite high terrain creating wind shadows.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north and northwest are described as grooming the face for hollow conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 2.5 meters or more, but becomes extremely heavy with strong rip currents.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional-classic quality is described; wave quality is consistently regarded highly.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Waves described as powerful and able to hold swell up to about 2.5+ meters.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow wave shape is emphasized; fast and hollow conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, vertical waves; fast peel speed described for the surfing waves.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides are typical; fast waves with barrels are reported.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length is reported as short; measured as roughly 30–60 meters, with fast vertical sections and possible barrels.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bonete (Ilhabela) in the full forecast view.
Bonete (Ilhabela) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- E86°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2613 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bonete (Ilhabela) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.9–2.1 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- dangerous rips
- rocks (isolated rocks at ends of the beach)
- heavy shore break
- remote location with limited immediate medical support
- limited cell phone reception
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards are reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is reported as no at the beach.
- Emergency Info
- No on-site rescue availability is reported; in emergencies, evacuation typically requires boat support or a long hike to reach Hospital Municipal de Ilhabela on the island’s more developed side.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism is reported as none by one provider; another source describes mild localism.
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette and respect local community practices.
- Respect general park/community rules
- Watch out for dangerous rips.
- Beware of rocks and rips.
- Bring all necessary supplies as there are no surf shops on the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ilhabela
- Nearest Town
- Ilhabela
- Parking
- No vehicle access to the beach; parking available at the start of the trail in Borrifos.
- Public Transport
- Limited; southern access is described as requiring boat trips or long hikes (no regular public road access to the southern coast).
- Access
- Remote; accessible via a challenging 12km (4-5 hour) hike through Atlantic Forest with waterfalls and wildlife, or by boat from Ilhabela.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Simple pousadas/hostels and designated camping areas are described in the nearby village area, with additional lodging on Ilhabela.
- Food & Drink
- Small traditional kiosks/restaurants serving local seafood and Brazilian dishes are mentioned; one provider also notes no food/drink available at the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental availability is inconsistent by source: one provider says rental is available; another says equipment rental is not available for surf gear and surfers must bring their own boards.
- Gear Storage
- Not available.
- Gear Repair
- Not available on the beach (gear repair not available), though minor help may exist elsewhere on the island.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Visitors come for remote sandy bays, Atlantic Forest hiking, and the chance to disconnect in an area with limited cellular service.
Iconic remote beach accessible by 4x4 or boat.
Traditional coastal communities maintaining historical fishing and artisanal practices.
A 12 km trekking route through dense Atlantic Forest with multiple waterfall stops.
Hike to Poço Fundo Waterfall: a cold, clean-water well about 20 minutes from Bonete village.
Restaurant near the bridge to Bonete village paths.
Small, family-run spots serving fresh catch-of-the-day and traditional blue-fish dishes.
A natural rock slide and series of pools popular for families during hikes.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bonete (Ilhabela)?
The best overall months at Bonete (Ilhabela) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are May.
Which wind directions work at Bonete (Ilhabela)?
Bonete (Ilhabela) works with N, NNW, NW, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NW, NE, E.
What skill level is Bonete (Ilhabela) suitable for?
Bonete (Ilhabela) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.