Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dique de Cabedelo is a reasonably exposed breakwater surf spot on the Rio Grande do Norte coast near João Pessoa, producing left-hand waves that peel along the harbor jetty. The surf is described as reasonably consistent, with waves typically starting below about 1m and holding up to around 1m+ depending on the day. The wave quality is generally rated good, and the character is especially noted as hollow and fun when conditions line up. It’s best on a rising/high tide (described as high tide only / rising tide position), and rides are typically short—often under 50m—running in punchy sections along the jetty. Wind-wise, the most favorable directions are reported as South-Southwest (with some shelter mentioned from west winds). Ideal wind directions are also given as SouthEast, East, and NorthEast, while the sea-breeze/prevailing trade-wind pattern tends to strengthen in the afternoon. South and South-West winds are described as offshore or sheltered for the break, while East winds are more side-on. Safety is a key concern: the primary hazard is the jetty rocks, and the spot is noted for crowding and localism. Weekends can be extremely crowded, so plan for a careful lineup and extra attention near the jetty. Water temperatures stay warm around 26–29°C year-round, and rash-vest/lycra use is commonly sufficient rather than a traditional wetsuit.
- Left-hand break along the jetty with hollow/fun sections
- Good wave quality; short rides (<50m)
- Warm water year-round (rash-vest/lycra sufficient)
- High/rising tide is the key tide window
- Crowds and localism require extra respect and care around jetty rocks
- Consistent breakwater left-hand waves with hollow/fun sections.
- Works best on rising/high tide; wave quality is generally good.
- Warm water year-round (rash guard/lycra typically enough).
- Weekends can be ultra crowded; take care around the jetty rocks.
- Localism is noted; respect the lineup.
- Rescue availability is limited at the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, E, NE
- Offshore directions
- S, SE, E, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Southeast trade-wind pattern (sea-breeze/Alísios) with afternoon strengthening; ideal winds noted from South-Southwest.
- Reliability
- fairly consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds noted; generally no strong gust emphasis.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Jetty provides some shelter from South and South-West winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Working swell commonly starts below about 1m and can build up to around 1m+.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach area adjacent to the jetty used for entry/launch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy beach entry noted, but navigation around jetty rocks is required.
Through the year
Consistently crowded, especially during summer holidays and weekends.
Rainy season is typically between April and July.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A reasonably exposed breakwater surf break with reasonably consistent surf. Left-hand waves peel along the harbor jetty and work best on a rising/high tide, starting when swell is below about 1m and holding up to around 1m+. Hollow and fun sections are most likely when the wave/tide combination is right. Can close out if the swell is too large or too direct.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, S, E, W, NW, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide only / rising tide position is repeatedly emphasized.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Breakwater/jetty provides partial shelter compared with open-coast exposure; overall described as reasonably exposed.
- Wind Effect
- South and South-West winds are offshore/sheltered; East winds are side-on. Ideal winds are cited as South-Southwest with some shelter here from west winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out if the swell is too large or too direct.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality is noted.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power; hollow, fun sections when conditions line up.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow/fun character is highlighted, with mixed/hollow sections depending on swell and tide.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels with a medium peel speed along the jetty side.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, punchy rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides, typically under 50m, with punchy sections along the jetty.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) in the full forecast view.
Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–12 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- E99°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.2 m6s period
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–1.2 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
- Jetty rocks
- Crowds
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence noted for this specific spot in the provided enrichment data; regional information indicates limited lifeguard services along main stretches.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability via state services; spot-level data specifically notes no direct rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- State emergency services: 193 (Fire/Rescue) or 192 (Medical). Nearest major medical facility: Hospital de Emergência e Trauma in João Pessoa.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is noted; community can be protective, especially when crowded.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect the local lineup; take extra care when the lineup is crowded.
- Best results are typically on a rising/high tide.
- Be prepared for an extremely crowded lineup on weekends and take special care around the jetty rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- João Pessoa
- Nearest Town
- Cabedelo
- Nearest Airport
- Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (JPA)
- Parking
- Parking is available in the streets near the beach entrance.
- Public Transport
- Local buses and a suburban train line connect Cabedelo to central João Pessoa.
- Access
- Drive to Cabedelo via BR 101 then BR 230 toward the beaches (East); continue to the end of the road and turn right. Spot has instant access from the city (about a 5 minute walk).
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Pousadas and hotels available in Cabedelo and nearby Intermares.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks and restaurants within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available via local schools and specialized wind sports shops in the Cabedelo area (regional guidance).
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 Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba)?
The best overall months at Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba)?
Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) works with S, SE, E, NE winds. Offshore directions are S, SE, E, NE.
What skill level is Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) suitable for?
Dique de Cabedelo (Paraíba) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.