Foz do Itapocu (Santa Catarina South)

Foz do Itapocu is a very consistent beach-break / river-mouth wave area in Santa Catarina, set at the Itapocu river mouth between Barra Velha and Barra do Sul. The wave setup is described as producing both left and right waves with a fast, fun character and generally good, classic regional quality. Swell tends to start working from under 1m and can hold up to about 2m+ when conditions line up. Surfing is most commonly noted at low to mid tide positions, with reports that it can also work across rising and falling tides. The best swell window is east to southeast (including southeast and east swells), and typical working swell heights are roughly 0.5 to 2.5 meters. When sandbanks are well-formed, ride lengths can extend into the normal 50 to 150m range, though short rides are also commonly cited. Wind is generally favorable when coming from the west to northwest sectors, described as offshore for the surfing face and helpful for grooming. Although regional wind patterns vary, the more consistently usable months referenced are May through September, with offshore grooming winds emphasized. Conditions are described as often empty or low-crowd, which reduces congestion risk. Safety is a key factor at the river mouth: strong currents are reported, along with river debris (logs and other material) and shifting sandbanks. Water quality and clarity can change significantly after heavy rain due to river discharge, often becoming muddy and carrying debris. There is no on-site lifeguard presence or dedicated rescue/SOS service for this launch, so self-rescue and careful assessment of river outflow conditions are essential.