Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Farol de Farolete (also known as Farolete / Ilhas das Palmas) is a remote, boat-only surfing point break off Paraná in the Bay of Paranaguá area. The break is described as a left-hand point-wave that wraps around a rocky section, producing long, powerful rides with consistent wall behavior. Sources emphasize that it is not suitable for casual access: there is no land entry and sessions are typically approached as an expedition requiring your own transport to the water. Wave performance is a core highlight. The spot is reported to start working below 1 m and to hold up to around 4 m+ (about 12 ft), with normal ride lengths often cited around 150 to 300 m and good days stretching to roughly 300 to 500 m. Several descriptions characterize the wave as a regional classic, with wave quality ranging from good to excellent and a peeling shape. Best positioning is repeatedly described as mid tide, with both rising and falling tides noted as workable. The main constraint is safety. The take-off and near-shore area are heavily influenced by rocks and sea urchins, with sharks also mentioned as hazards. One source also warns that swells should be avoided when they grow: if conditions build, exiting can become very difficult. Because the location is isolated and there are no on-site lifeguards or dedicated rescue services reported for the island itself, preparedness is critical. Seasonally, May is singled out as a best month, while another provider notes a broader winter window (May through August) for the most consistent southern swell activity. Water temperature is reported to cool into the winter months (roughly 19–21°C in July/August), which typically drives thicker wetsuit choices during that period.
- Very consistent surf frequency (~150 days/year).
- Long rides (typically 150–300 m; up to ~300–500 m on good days).
- Powerful left-hand point break working from <1 m to ~4 m+.
- Long, powerful left-hand point-break with consistent wall behavior.
- Very consistent frequency reported (about 150 days/year).
- Best window aligns with southern swell activity, with reliable working sizes from under 1 m up to ~4 m+.
- Boat-only, difficult access with remote operations.
- Rocky shoreline and submerged rocks create severe hazards near the wave.
- Recommended for experienced surfers only; conditions can become very challenging when swells grow.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, E, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW, NW
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Providers describe west/southwest/east and west/northwest sectors with generally mixed conditions overall.
- Reliability
- medium-high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported by one provider.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Possible turbulence near the lighthouse structure.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/flat-rock bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — One provider lists small wave size; other surfing notes indicate it can work from <1 m and hold up to ~4 m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop/shorbreak conditions described as moderate to dangerous depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline accessible only via water; no shore launch.
Through the year
Generally empty due to boat-only access.
Rainy season typically occurs from December to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Left-hand point break on a rocky island/lighthouse area with long, consistent walls. Works on small swells (under 1 m) and can hold significantly into bigger conditions (up to around 4 m+).
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, SSE, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at mid tide; works on rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — One provider describes semi-sheltered conditions; another describes exposed conditions—overall the break is rocky and sensitive to swell and wind.
- Wind Effect
- West and northwest winds are described as cleanest for the face; west/southwest can be offshore, while east can be cross-shore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to ~4 m+ and can become more hollow/challenging on larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as a regional classic with good to excellent wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Multiple sources characterize the wave as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling left point-wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — One provider reports medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Long — Normal rides commonly 150 to 300 m; long days up to 300 to 500 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides: 150 to 300 m. Good days: about 300 to 500 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) in the full forecast view.
Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SE142°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.7–1.4 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
- Submerged rocks
- Sea urchins
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Isolation
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as none/no dedicated on-site rescue service.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest facilities are in Pontal do Sul or Paranaguá, accessible only by boat.
Rules of the spot
Boat-only access; must bring your own boat. Remote location with no on-site rescue services.
- No land access; boat-only access.
- No public access reported in sources.
- Only accessible by private boat; near the wave there are many rocks—take extreme care at take-off.
- Avoid large swells: if waves grow it can be difficult to exit.
- Bring all necessary supplies; there is nothing on the island.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Paranaguá
- Nearest Town
- Pontal do Sul
- Parking
- Parking is available at boat launch points in Pontal do Sul.
- Public Transport
- Access to the islands is exclusively by boat.
- Access
- By boat only; no land access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available in Pontal do Sul or Ilha do Mel.
- Food & Drink
- None on-site; carry your own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available at the spot.
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 Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands)?
The best overall months at Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands)?
Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) works with W, SW, E, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW, NW.
What skill level is Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) suitable for?
Farol de Farolete (Palmas Islands) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.