Gravata
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Gravatá (also known as Teresa) is an exposed beach break near Laguna that offers consistently working surf through the year. The waves can run both left and right, with conditions generally described as good and often peeling, making it a strong option for travelers specifically seeking a reliable beach-break setup. The break is especially noted as best when a southeast swell combines with offshore southwest winds. Reported swell size ranges from small waves that start working under 1 m to larger sets holding up to around 2.5 m+ before tending to close out. Surf is commonly listed as functioning on all tides, with rides typically around 50 to 150 m and extending to roughly 150 to 300 m on the best-connected days. Access is part of the trade-off: getting to the beach involves getting to Laguna-SC, taking a ferry to Santa Marta Cape, then turning into the Teresa community, followed by a long hike (about 30 to 45 minutes). Because the spot is remote and has no on-the-spot food or vendor services, you should plan to carry what you need and consider the time it takes to reach and exit the beach. Safety is a key focus here. Multiple sources highlight dangerous rip currents along with rocks/submerged rock hazards, plus isolation as a practical concern. Localism is also reported as a mild factor, so respectful lineup behavior and extra caution around currents are recommended, especially given the lack of lifeguards at the beach.
- Consistent exposed beach-break surf that works left and right
- Best conditions reported with southeast swells and offshore southwest winds
- Sandy beach with some rocks/submerged hazards
- Long ride lengths commonly 50–150 m (up to ~150–300 m on good days)
- Exposed beach break with consistent surfing year-round
- Waves work both left and right
- Offshore southwest winds can groom the surf
- Good wave quality with ride lengths commonly 50 to 150 m (up to ~150 to 300 m on good days)
- Dangerous rip currents
- Rocks and submerged hazards
- Remote access (requires ferry + hike) with limited on-site support
- Can be sometimes crowded
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, S
- Offshore directions
- SW, W, S
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Primarily driven by frontal systems moving up from the south (winter/swell-dependent).
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability; highly dependent on winter swells and wind systems.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The northern headland provides some shelter from Northerly winds, but the spot is largely exposed.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rock/some submerged rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Starts working under 1 m and can hold up to ~2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Wide sandy beach with ample space, though requires a significant hike; described as moderate difficulty with long approach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; requires a long walk/trail approach.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; can see a small influx of local surfers on weekends.
Rain is evenly distributed, but winter sees more frequent cold fronts; southern fronts can bring more frequent storm conditions in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break with very consistent surfing, working both left and right.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also described as working on all tides, rising and falling.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds are offshore and groom the waves; north winds can make it choppy. Offshore is best reported from southwest.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to around 2.5 m+ before starting to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Some sources describe the power as soft; another dataset rates power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Standard rides are typically 50 to 150 m; on good days they can extend to about 150 to 300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal (about 50 to 150 m), with good-day lengths reported as long (about 150 to 300 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Gravata in the full forecast view.
Gravata wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- SE145°
- 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, Gravata is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. 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
- dangerous rip currents
- rocks
- localism
- submerged rocks
- isolation
- marine life
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in central Laguna and are a considerable distance from the beach. Emergency number for Fire Department/Ambulance is 193.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; keep the beach clean as it is a protected area.
- No motorized vehicle access
- Protected environmental area
- Expect a hike of about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the beach.
- Bring all necessary water and food; there are no shops or vendors at the spot.
- Prepare to negotiate rips; bring awareness and appropriate safety habits for rip-current conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Laguna
- Nearest Town
- Laguna
- Parking
- Parking is available at the trailheads in the Teresa community or at the end of the road at Praia do Gi.
- Access
- Take a car to Laguna-SC, then take the ferryboat to Santa Marta Cape. Turn left at Teresa community. Long walk (>30 minutes) to the beach.
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Pousadas and hotels are available in the Farol de Santa Marta area and Laguna city center.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; bring your own.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site.
- Gear Storage
- None available at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops are located in Laguna city center.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Laguna offers historic maritime culture and nearby viewpoints, pairing well with water sports around the city’s coastal districts.
One of the largest lighthouses in the Americas, offering world-class surfing and spectacular views south of Laguna.
A pair of jetties where dolphins famously assist local fishermen by herding mullet toward the nets.
A historic building dedicated to the 'Heroine of Two Worlds' who was born in Laguna.
The beachfront boulevard in Mar Grosso is lined with seafood restaurants and bars serving local shrimp specialties.
Exploring colonial architecture and cobblestone streets of one of Brazil's oldest cities.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Gravata?
The best overall months at Gravata are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Gravata?
Gravata works with SW, W, S winds. Offshore directions are SW, W, S.
What skill level is Gravata suitable for?
Gravata suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.