Cemitério

Surfing
Advanced riders
Best for
Expert
Skill Level
Swell, Big waves
Spot Type
Empty
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Cemitério is a rare, expert-only right-hand point break off Farol de Santa Marta (visible from Prainha). When it works, it produces hollow, fast, powerful waves with an exceptional reputation, capable of holding south swells starting around 3 m (roughly 10–12 ft) and reaching 5 m (about 16 ft) and beyond. The break frequency is very low—commonly described as working only about five days per year. Because it needs the right swell conditions (not just size, but also long-period south swells wrapping into the point), sessions are highly dependent on swell timing and period. When it’s on, waves can peel for roughly 150–300 m, and can run 300–500 m on standout days. Safety is a major concern. The wave environment includes exposed and submerged sharp rocks, strong currents and rip tides, and a remote setup that typically involves a long paddle (often over 20 minutes) or boat access. For the biggest days, sources indicate that having boat/jet-ski support is often necessary for safety and access. Wind-wise, winter fronts can bring stronger conditions, with working surf often described under offshore help from the West or Southwest. The most consistent large-swell season is winter (June through September), and conditions are usually reported as empty due to the difficulty and the break’s rarity. If you do go, be prepared for an exposed, high-energy wave with serious physical demands.

  • Hollow, fast, powerful right-hand point break
  • Rarely breaks (~5 days/year)
  • Holds south swells from ~3 m and up to 5 m+
  • Long rides up to ~500 m on exceptional days
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Hollow, fast, powerful right-hand point break
  • Holds large south swells (starting around 3 m and holding to 5 m+)
  • Long runs on working days with epic wave quality
  • Offshore West/Southwest winds can help groom the face
Heads up
  • Breaks rarely (around 5 days per year)
  • Extreme expert-only conditions and steep, powerful waves
  • Rock hazards plus strong currents and rip tides
  • Remote access and limited immediate rescue
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WSW, S
Offshore directions
W, WSW, S
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Winter fronts can bring stronger winds (locally described as frontal influence).
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
June, July, August, September
Shadow Zones
Protected from North winds by the lighthouse hill.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Big waves
Beach
Sand — Sand at/near the launch view point, with rocky sections at the break.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Huge — Holds massive south swells; described as working from around 3 m and holding over 5 m.
Launch
Small — Rocky entry from the point or a long paddle from Prainha beach.
Launch Difficulty
Expert only — Remote access; rocky environment; long paddle/boat required for safe access during big days.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–25 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun–Oct: 4/3mmJan–May: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Usually empty due to extreme difficulty and rarity.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain can occur year-round, but winter brings the most frequent storm fronts.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Legendary right-hand point break that only comes alive on massive south swells. Known for heavy, hollow, fast sections and rare break frequency, with long peeling runs when it works.

Point break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SSE, E
Swell Height
3–5.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Works on all tides; described as suitable for rising and falling tides.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the West or Southwest help groom the large faces.
Bigger Swell
Holds up to 5 m and over without closing out; starts working around 3 m and can stay open on larger swells.
Wave Quality
Excellent
Wave Power
Very powerful — Often described as powerful to very-powerful on working swells.
Wave Shape
Hollow
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Long — Normal days around 150–300 m; very good days 300–500 m.
Typical Ride Length
150–500 m
Ride Length Details
Waves peel for about 150–300 m, reaching up to ~500 m on exceptional days.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cemitério in the full forecast view.

Cemitério wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
Direction
ESE106°
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, Cemitério is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • Sharp rocks
  • Large powerful waves
  • Strong currents
  • Long paddle distance
  • Remote location with limited immediate rescue
Ability Level: Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue availability reported for this specific break; the spot is remote with limited immediate rescue.
Emergency Info
Laguna has basic medical facilities; major hospitals are in Tubarão or Florianópolis. Brazil emergency number for fire/life rescue is 193.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate

Rules of the spot

Respect the extreme big-wave conditions and local big-wave chargers.

Local Tips
  • Only for pros or kamikaze surfers—steep, powerful waves plus rock hazards make it unsuitable for beginners.
  • Check swell period carefully; it needs long-period south swells to wrap into the point.
  • For the biggest days, a boat or jet ski is often required for safety and access.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Laguna
Nearest Town
Farol de Santa Marta
Parking
Parking available in the village of Farol de Santa Marta, followed by a walk to the viewing/launch point (or Prainha).
Access
Visible from Prainha beach in the fishing village of Farol de Santa Marta; requires a short walk (about 5–15 minutes) after driving to the village, or a long paddle/boat access (over 20 minutes or by boat).
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Portuguese
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and small hotels in the Farol de Santa Marta village.
Food & Drink
Local seafood restaurants and small bars in the village.
Equipment Rental:
No specialized big-wave equipment rental; surfers must bring their own boards.
Gear Repair
Basic repairs may be found in nearby Laguna.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Cemitério?

The best overall months at Cemitério are June, July, August, September.

Which wind directions work at Cemitério?

Cemitério works with W, WSW, S winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW, S.

What skill level is Cemitério suitable for?

Cemitério suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.