Guriri (São Mateus Coast)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Guriri is a sandy beach-break on the São Mateus Coast where small swells can produce fun, short rides. It’s described as working from under 1 meter and holding to around 1 meter plus, with waves that break both right and left. Reported wave quality is generally good, and rides are often under 50 meters, which suits beginners who want manageable, forgiving sessions. Wind sports are a major draw: the spot is consistently linked with trade-wind conditions and is described as excellent for kitesurfing (freeride and wave/foil styles). Offshore surfing conditions are associated with west winds in late winter/spring, while northeast winds can make the water choppy—so timing matters. For surf, there’s also a practical tip to check conditions early in the morning before the northeast wind builds. Safety planning should account for multiple potential hazards, including occasional shark sightings, coral, jellyfish, and strong currents. During peak summer months the beach can become crowded and swimmers may be present, so it’s important to respect designated swimming zones and avoid riding close to crowded areas. Rescue availability is reported as limited and lifeguards are seasonal, so riders should rely on good self-rescue habits and local guidance. The area has convenient beach access from São Mateus and basic on-site amenities like showers and toilets, plus a wider range of food and drinks nearby. Seasonal conditions support year-round warm water, with wind-focused best periods extending through the spring/summer months and surf swells often improving outside peak wind months.
- Sandy beach-break with right and left waves
- Works on swells under 1m and holds up to around 1m+
- Strong, consistent winds for kitesurfing
- Offshore west wind reported for better surf conditions
- Seasonal lifeguard coverage and nearby medical facility in São Mateus
- Warm tropical water and a sandy beach suitable for beach-break surfing
- Strong, consistent winds support kitesurfing and other wind sports
- Quiet weekday atmosphere with only few surfers on weekends
- Easy access from São Mateus and nearby amenities
- Surf can be inconsistent due to coastal curvature and variable swell alignment
- Surf and water can get choppy with northeast winds
- Potential hazards include sharks/coral and strong currents, especially around busy periods
- Rescue availability is limited (seasonal lifeguards)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NE, E, SE
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds with strong, consistent conditions ideal for kitesurfing; also influenced by afternoon sea-breeze/thermal reinforcement in warm months.
- Reliability
- moderate to good (spring/summer reported as good)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported; kite-friendly consistency overall.
- Best Months
- February, March, September, October, November, December, January
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small beach-break waves; starts working below 1m and can hold up to ~1m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Northeast winds can make water choppy; conditions vary by wind direction.
- Launch
- Small — Easy self-launch from shore (wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment setup is also reported).
Through the year
Extremely crowded during January, February, and Carnival; quiet during the low season.
October–December (rain is most common between October and December).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Excellent wind conditions make it a great kitesurfing spot for freeride and wave styles, with consistent winds and a spacious beach.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for freeride and wave windsurfing when northeast trades are active.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Foil-friendly thanks to the sandy bottom, though shore break can be challenging for entry.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly location reported; minimum depth guidance provided.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Guriri is described as a fun beach-break with right and left-hand waves on a sandy bottom. It starts working on small swells (<1m) and can hold up to around 1m+; surf consistency is noted as low due to coastal curvature.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Mixed reporting: some guidance favors mid tide; other notes indicate it works across all tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as semi-sheltered by local coastal conditions, though other notes describe it as relatively exposed.
- Wind Effect
- West winds provide offshore conditions for surfing; northeast winds can make the water choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and prone to closing out with very large swells; also reported to hold up to about 1m+ before getting problematic.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good overall; one note describes average quality depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Fun, moderate power beach-break waves on small swells.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape; works for both left and right.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Rides often develop as short, punchy sessions.
- Ride Length
- Short — Generally short rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are under 50 meters and often described as short and punchy (<50m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Guriri (São Mateus Coast) in the full forecast view.
Guriri (São Mateus Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–14 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- E87°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.6 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Guriri (São Mateus Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–1.6 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
- sharks
- coral
- strong currents
- jellyfish
- crowded beach zones
- occasional swimmers and beachgoers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal; rescue availability is limited.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited; lifeguard services station along main beach areas particularly during summer season and holidays.
- Emergency Info
- Hospital Estadual Dr. Roberto Silvares is the nearest major medical facility in São Mateus. Emergency services can be reached at 193 (Fire/Rescue) or 192 (Ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Reported as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming zones and avoid riding close to crowded areas of the beach.
- Avoid riding close to crowded areas of the beach.
- Stay in more frequented areas and avoid less-used zones.
- The best surf is often early in the morning before the northeast wind kicks in.
- During peak season, kitesurfers should use the less crowded northern or southern ends of the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- São Mateus
- Nearest Town
- Guriri
- Nearest Airport
- Vitória Airport (VIX), approximately 220 km.
- Parking
- Extensive parking available along the beachfront and in adjacent streets.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect the city center of São Mateus to the Guriri beach district.
- Access
- Instant access (<5 min walk) from the city
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Numerous pousadas, hotels, and holiday rentals are located within walking distance; also described as available directly around the Guriri beach district.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drink options include kiosks and restaurants serving local seafood and drinks; also described as basic needs in the nearby village.
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic surf rentals are available locally; kitesurfing gear is harder to find for rent.
- Gear Storage
- Available at some local surf schools and accommodations; many riders store gear at their accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Limited; basic repairs may be facilitated locally, but specialized kite repair is scarce.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area blends beach tourism with environmental conservation, with a strong presence of sea-turtle protection and summer festivities.
A sea turtle conservation center offering educational exhibits and turtle releases.
A historic district featuring colonial architecture and the Museum of San Mateo.
Vast sand dunes suitable for exploring and sunset viewing.
A lively area with numerous bars and restaurants serving local seafood and 'moqueca capixaba'.
Wide sandy beaches with calm tide pools at low tide, ideal for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Guriri (São Mateus Coast)?
The best overall months at Guriri (São Mateus Coast) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are February, March, September, October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at Guriri (São Mateus Coast)?
Guriri (São Mateus Coast) works with W, NE, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Guriri (São Mateus Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Guriri (São Mateus Coast): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Guriri (São Mateus Coast) suitable for?
Guriri (São Mateus Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.