Caragua (Caraguatatuba)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Caragua (Caraguatatuba) is described as a kitesurf-focused spot on Praia do Caragua / the Praia do Indaiá area, with clean water over a big sandy beach. Conditions are typically chop with small waves, which suits a range of freeride/progression styles rather than large surf. The wind is characterized as thermal sea-breeze influenced, developing in the afternoon (around 1 PM) and continuing until sunset. Best months are reported as July through December, with particular emphasis on August to December for consistent thermal winds. The wind is described as steady, with a typical range around 12–22 knots during the better period. For launching and learning, the setup is widely described as easy: a wide, spacious sandy beach with plenty of room for rigging, plus a very shallow sandy bottom for roughly the first 200 meters. This shallow stretch is noted as especially helpful for students and progression, though wing/foil riders should remain mindful of near-shore depth. Safety guidance emphasizes staying within marked swimmer areas near kiosks and avoiding launching in crowded sections during peak summer weekends. Lifeguards are described as seasonal, and regional rescue coverage is limited, so rider awareness and respect for swimmer zones are important.
- Thermal sea-breeze development in the afternoon (around 1:00 PM–sunset)
- Clean water with chop and small waves
- Large sandy beach with easy, spacious setup
- Very shallow for about 200 meters, useful for students
- Wind reliability described as high in spring and summer months
- Reliable afternoon thermal winds
- Clean water with chop and small waves
- Large, sandy, spacious launch beach area
- Shallow sandy bottom for progression
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal sea-breeze influence; develops in the afternoon (typically starts around 1 PM).
- Reliability
- high during spring and summer months
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady in the afternoon until sunset.
- Best Months
- July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves combined with choppy conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop conditions are a defining feature.
- Launch
- Big — Wide and spacious sandy beach with plenty of room for setup.
Through the year
High crowds during December and January (summer holidays) and on sunny weekends.
Summer months (January to March) often see afternoon tropical rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works with chop and small waves; best during the July–December period. The main beach setup is described as spacious with shallow conditions for progression.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Traditional windsurfing conditions due to side-onshore thermal winds and easy beach start conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Becoming popular due to shallow sandy bottom and minimal wave impact; foils need care near shore depth.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Caragua (Caraguatatuba) in the full forecast view.
Caragua (Caraguatatuba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ESE104°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.1 m6s period
- Temperature
- 17–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Caragua (Caraguatatuba) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.3–1.1 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
- swimmers in designated areas
- beach walkers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regionally, water safety is managed by GBMar (Grupamento de Bombeiros Marítimos).
Rules of the spot
Respect swimmer zones typically marked near the kiosks.
- Avoid launching in crowded areas during peak summer weekends.
- Praia do Indaiá is very shallow for roughly the first 200 meters, which can be safer for students.
- Very reliable thermal winds in the afternoons during spring; S/SW frontal winds can be stronger and gustier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Caraguatatuba
- Nearest Town
- Caraguatatuba
- Parking
- Ample parking available along the avenue adjacent to the beach.
- Access
- Take Rodovia dos Tamoios north from São Paulo to Caraguatatuba; beach is easy to find / accessible via the main beach avenue.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various pousadas and hotels within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous kiosks (quiosques) along the beach serving food and beverages.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through local schools and instructors on the beach.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to specific schools or private beachfront accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs locally; major kite repairs may require sending gear to São Paulo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Panoramic viewpoint popular for paragliding and for seeing the full Caraguatatuba bay and Ilhabela.
Museum showcasing regional art, history, and caiçara culture.
Hiking trails and birdwatching in preserved Atlantic Forest.
Traditional beachfront kiosks serving fresh seafood and local beverages.
Open-air shopping mall with cinemas, restaurants, and children’s entertainment.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Caragua (Caraguatatuba)?
The best overall months at Caragua (Caraguatatuba) are July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Caragua (Caraguatatuba)?
Caragua (Caraguatatuba) works with E, ESE, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Caragua (Caraguatatuba)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Caragua (Caraguatatuba): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Caragua (Caraguatatuba) suitable for?
Caragua (Caraguatatuba) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.