Cachoeira do Bom Jesus
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus is a medium-sized sandy bay near Florianópolis that’s known for clean water and relatively sheltered on-water conditions, reported as flat-to-choppy and generally favorable for learning and freeriding. The launch is described as having enough room for mid to low tides, though it can narrow during busy high season due to crowds. Wind is strongest from the north through northeast (N, NNE, NE), with the best months typically being September through November. Thermal/sea-breeze effects are emphasized, with afternoon strengthening and acceleration when the Northeast pattern sets up; some accounts also mention frontal wind activity beyond the main thermal season. For kitesurfing, the spot is described as popular and not dependent on tide for usable conditions, with riders commonly using kite sizes roughly in the 9–14 m range. Water can feel much colder than the air during Northeast-driven sessions because of upwelling; safety-focused guidance recommends at least a 3.2 mm suit when the wind comes from the NE, even if it’s sunny and warm. Safety-wise, boat traffic and swimmer density are key considerations, particularly in summer months. The area reports rules and local guidance to respect designated swimmer zones and to plan for higher interaction risk during peak holiday periods; regional rescue is described as limited rather than dedicated on-site.
- Consistent N/NE/NNE wind in spring with afternoon thermal strengthening
- Flat-to-choppy sandy-bay conditions
- Cold-water upwelling risk with Northeast winds—plan wetsuit accordingly
- Swimmer interaction risk during peak summer holidays
- Sandy-bay flat-to-choppy conditions that suit progression and freeriding
- Consistent N/NE/NNE winds in spring, with thermal sea-breeze acceleration during the afternoon
- Generally workable for foiling/wingfoil sessions due to calmer bay conditions
- Cold water/upwelling can happen when winds come from the Northeast
- Crowding in peak summer can narrow the usable launch area and increase swimmer interaction risk
- Turbulence zones may form very close to shore near buildings
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal and sea-breeze development from the north/northeast; also mentions frontal activity year-round (stronger in summer from the south).
- Reliability
- High during spring and summer months; about 3–4 windy days per week on average over the year.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach and sandy bay.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave descriptions are consistently small/limited on this sandy bay.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Reported as flat-to-choppy; wind can create choppy conditions within the bay.
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy bay; beach about 25 m wide. Reported to be of sufficient size on mid to low tides.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in January and February; quiet and spacious in winter months.
Rain can occur year-round, with summer afternoons often seeing short, heavy tropical showers.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-to-choppy water in a sandy bay with consistent N/NE/NNE winds; conditions are reported as not tide-dependent. Popular for freeriding and (for some sessions) kite foiling due to generally calm water.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for freeride and slalom windsurfing when the Northeast wind is steady (reported as consistent in spring/summer).
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Reported as excellent for wingfoiling with easy beach access and sufficient depth away from the shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cachoeira do Bom Jesus in the full forecast view.
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–17 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- ESE115°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2617 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 15–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus is forecast for daytime winds of 3–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.3–0.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Ships
- Boats
- Swimmers
- Upwelling
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are indicated; swimmers are especially dense in summer.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue base is indicated; regional coastguard/local rescue services operate in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospitals are located in central Florianópolis, approximately 25–30 km away. Emergency numbers: 193 (fire/rescue), 190 (police), 192 (medical).
Rules of the spot
Respect designated areas for swimmers, especially between December and March. Parking/crowding can be intense in peak summer holiday periods.
- Kiting is restricted in heavily crowded swimmer zones during the peak summer holiday season.
- When winds are from the Northeast, the water can get cold quickly—use at least a 3.2 mm suit.
- Northeast winds may cause upwelling, bringing colder water to the surface even on warm days.
- Expect small turbulence near the beach from nearby buildings.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Florianópolis
- Nearest Town
- Canasvieiras
- Parking
- Street parking is available along the residential roads leading to the beach, but it can be very difficult to find a spot in summer.
- Access
- From Florianopolis, drive north on Ilha de Santa Catarina to Cachoeira do Bom Jesus.
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous pousadas and holiday apartments in the immediate vicinity.
- Food & Drink
- Various beach kiosks and restaurants serving local seafood are located along the waterfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via schools and rentals along the northern beach corridor; local availability is described as limited.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be found at specialized shops in the wider Florianópolis area.
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 Cachoeira do Bom Jesus?
The best overall months at Cachoeira do Bom Jesus are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Cachoeira do Bom Jesus?
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus works with N, NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cachoeira do Bom Jesus?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cachoeira do Bom Jesus: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Cachoeira do Bom Jesus suitable for?
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.