Cemitério
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Usually empty due to extreme difficulty and rarity.
Rain can occur year-round, but winter brings the most frequent storm fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- Rocks
- Sharp rocks
- Large powerful waves
- Strong currents
- Long paddle distance
- Remote location with limited immediate rescue
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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
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 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.