Cardoso (Laguna)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cardoso is an exposed beach break delivering very consistent surf with a sandy bottom. Sessions are described as powerful, with long walls that can alternate into hollow sections, and it can hold large southern swells that would close out most other beach breaks. Wave direction is reported as both left and right, and the spot is noted to work across all tides. Wind conditions for clean surf are best when the wind comes from the northwest (offshore). Reported wind statistics for June show a mix of blown and clean periods, and the spot is characterized as receiving seasonal/strong wind systems. For wind sports, south winds are highlighted as favorable for wave-focused kitesurfing, while other wind directions may increase cross/onshore complexity. Safety is a key concern: rips/undertow and strong rip currents are commonly mentioned, with additional hazards including rocks and man-made obstacles such as buoys. Local surfing priority is also emphasized, and the lineup may be sensitive to overcrowding—especially when other water-sports groups are present. On bigger days, extra caution is recommended. Access is typically via ferry from Laguna to Santa Marta Farol, followed by a drive toward the lighthouse with off-road segments where 4x4 is recommended. Amenities are reported in the nearby village area (toilets, restaurant/bar, and parking), and crowds are often lighter on weekdays but can get crowded on weekends.
- Very consistent surf frequency (reported as very consistent / high rideable days per year)
- Long walls alternating with hollow sections
- Holds large swells (up to 4 m+ reported)
- NW offshore wind improves wave face cleanliness
- Very consistent, long-lasting surf with powerful, often hollow sections
- Works on all tides and can hold large south-origin swells
- NW offshore wind helps create cleaner faces for riding
- Exposed beach break with strong currents/rips
- Rocks and man-made hazards (buoys) near the lineup
- Localism can affect how crowded sessions feel
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Wind behavior described as gradient; NW offshore conditions are best for clean faces.
- Reliability
- 52% blown in June / 34% clean in June
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The lighthouse headland at the north end can create a wind shadow for NE winds close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Swell can start working around 0.5–1.0 m and holds up to 4 m+.
- Launch
- Big — Instant shore access; wide sandy setup area reported (can narrow near headland at high tide).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty reported as easy in one set; another set describes moderate difficulty (often due to rocks/shore conditions).
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; can become very crowded on weekends and during summer holidays (December to February).
Most frequent storms occur during winter months when southern cold fronts move through.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wave-focused kitesurfing; south winds provide more cross-onshore conditions with significant wave action. (Spot is demanding and sensitive to local dynamics when it gets crowded.)
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Challenging wave sailing spot; requires experience with shore break and strong currents.
Challenging because of powerful shore break and depth changes; doable for experienced riders in moderate swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with very consistent surf. Works on all tides with SE swell favoring powerful, often hollow sections over sandy bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, S, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides reported.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open beach with limited shelter; north end rocks near the headland.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore from NW is best, grooming the swell into cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds very large swells and maintains shape even when conditions are huge, with the beach break capable of handling waves that would close out most beach breaks.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Regional classic / very consistent; described as excellent.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, holds large swells.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Long walls alternating with hollow sections (and sometimes described as peeling).
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling sections reported for the classic long walls.
- Ride Length
- Long — 300–500 m good-day length reported; also described as 50–150 m with up to ~300 m on classic days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal lengths commonly 50 to 150 m; very long days 300 to 500 m reported; classic days can extend up to ~300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cardoso (Laguna) in the full forecast view.
Cardoso (Laguna) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ESE105°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cardoso (Laguna) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–1.9 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
- rips and undertow
- strong rip currents
- rocks
- man-made danger (buoys)
- localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as no.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in the city of Laguna (about 20 km away). Brazil emergency number for Fire Department/Life Rescue: 193.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Respect local priority/lineup; the spot has a strong surfing culture and can be sensitive to overcrowding by kites.
- Local surfing priority is strong; be prepared for a sensitive lineup when it gets crowded.
- Be careful on big days.
- The northern corner under the lighthouse headland offers more protection from north winds but has more rocks.
- Watch for fishermen, especially during the mullet season between May and July when certain areas might be restricted.
- Rips/undertow are common; extra caution when swell is over about 1.5 meters.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Laguna
- Nearest Town
- Santa Marta Farol
- Parking
- Off-road parking near the beach; parking also reported in the village/sandy areas behind the beach.
- Access
- Take a ferry from Laguna to Santa Marta Farol, then drive toward the lighthouse; 4x4 recommended in off-road sections. Instant beach access from shore (<5 min walk).
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several pousadas/guesthouses are reported within walking distance in the village area.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants in the nearby village specialize in seafood, including shrimp and mullet.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard/SUP rentals reported in the Farol de Santa Marta village area; kitesurfing/windsurfing rentals less frequent and may require traveling to larger hubs. Rental availability also described as limited with most riders bringing their own gear.
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 Cardoso (Laguna)?
The best overall months at Cardoso (Laguna) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Cardoso (Laguna)?
Cardoso (Laguna) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cardoso (Laguna)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cardoso (Laguna): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Cardoso (Laguna) suitable for?
Cardoso (Laguna) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.