Figueira (Rio de Janeiro)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Figueira is an exposed, wide sandy beach known for consistent surf and powerful peaks, with a tendency for summer conditions to be flatter. It’s part of the Rio de Janeiro Norte coastline between Arraial do Cabo and Saquarema, and the open-ocean setting supports both surf and wave-focused wind sports. The dominant wind pattern is northeast, often reinforced by thermal effects and typically stronger during the spring and summer seasons. Typical winds are around 15–25 knots, and conditions can become more challenging later in the day as the afternoon northeast breeze builds. For surfing specifically, sessions earlier in the day are commonly more favorable because the afternoon wind can add chop. Water temperatures are notably cool for the region due to local upwelling, with sea temperatures reported across months roughly in the 15–22°C range. Expect water movement: strong lateral currents are often present, particularly when swells are larger, and rip currents and heavy shore break are documented hazards. Overall, Figueira is best approached with an intermediate skill set for surfing and kitesurfing, and a more advanced skill level for windsurfing and wingfoiling due to the exposed nature of the launch and shorebreak.
- Exposed beach break with consistent waves
- Strong NE wind pattern suitable for wave riding
- Cool upwelling water
- Wide sandy beach with ample space between dunes and water
- Consistent surf with powerful peaks (while summer can be mostly flat)
- Good for wave riding and freeride across wind sports
- High water quality
- Exposed conditions with strong northeast wind influence
- Water can be cold due to local upwelling
- Rip currents and strong lateral currents can occur, especially on larger swells
- Afternoon northeast winds can make surf choppier
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze/thermal reinforcement pattern; strong northeast winds building in the afternoon during warmer months.
- Reliability
- High during the spring and summer seasons.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Afternoon northeast winds can make surfing conditions choppy.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space between the dunes and the water.
Through the year
Quieter than the main beaches of Arraial do Cabo, but can get busy on sunny weekends and summer holidays.
December to March typically sees the most rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach suitable for wave riding and freeriding, though wind can be quite strong and the water is relatively cold.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing when the swell and wind align; less popular than nearby spots in the area.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Open-ocean swell and shore break can make launching difficult for foilers; offers long riding lines once offshore.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly is limited due to launch difficulty and shorebreak conditions.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed, consistent beach break with powerful peaks; works best with southern swells and earlier offshore wind conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with North or Northwest winds; cross-shore with the dominant Northeast winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swells exceed 3 meters, but holds well up to double overhead.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Local surf tends to be consistent overall, with strong peaks; summer can be mostly flat.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides typically range between 50 and 150 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer rides between 50 to 150 meters depending on the sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) in the full forecast view.
Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–20 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- SE141°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2620 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.6–2.2 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Strong currents
- Rip currents
- Heavy shore break
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Arraial do Cabo or Cabo Frio.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard international surf etiquette applies.
- Be prepared for colder water than expected for Brazil due to local upwelling.
- Afternoon northeast wind can make surf conditions choppy, so early morning sessions are often better.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cabo Frio
- Nearest Town
- Arraial do Cabo
- Nearest Airport
- Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB)
- Parking
- Street parking and dirt lots are available near the beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect Arraial do Cabo to Rio de Janeiro and nearby Cabo Frio; coastal roads are also served by local jardineira trucks/vans.
- Access
- Accessible via the RJ-102 coastal road. The beach is located between the districts of Monte Alto and Figueira.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses (pousadas) and vacation rentals are available in the town of Figueira.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks and small restaurants are situated along the main road and near beach access points.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability locally; more options are found in Arraial do Cabo or Saquarema.
- Gear Storage
- Several kite schools and specialized pousadas offer secure storage for guests.
- Gear Repair
- Major repairs are best handled in Cabo Frio.
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 Figueira (Rio de Janeiro)?
The best overall months at Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) are March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Figueira (Rio de Janeiro)?
Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) works with NE, E, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Figueira (Rio de Janeiro)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Figueira (Rio de Janeiro): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) suitable for?
Figueira (Rio de Janeiro) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.