Ilha Porchat
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ilha Porchat is a sheltered beach and point break in São Vicente, known for having pretty consistent surf. It’s described as a go-to “refuge” on bigger south-swells, with the island wrapping the energy into more manageable lines. Surf quality is reported as average overall, with a preference for longer, peeling right-handers. Conditions are typically most favorable when north to northwest winds blow offshore, grooming the wave faces rather than blowing them out. Timing-wise, winter is repeatedly emphasized as the best season, with May specifically highlighted as the best month. The spot is often crowded during good swell, so plan for lineup density when conditions are strong. The biggest practical concern is water pollution. Sources warn that pollution is a major drawback and recommend checking water quality reports—especially after heavy rain—before heading out. Submerged rocks near the point and potential debris are also cited hazards, and rescue availability is described as limited, with lifeguards present seasonally.
- Sheltered point break with consistent surf
- North/NW winds are offshore and help groom faces
- May and winter described as best
- Sheltered beach/point break with pretty consistent surf
- Winter conditions are highlighted as best for surfing
- North and Northwest winds are offshore and help groom the wave faces
- Water pollution is a major drawback, especially after rains
- Often crowded on good swell days
- Wind reliability described as low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Described as sea-breeze influence in local reports.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gusts described as light.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The island itself provides significant shelter from South and East winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as often small; works with larger south swells as a refuge.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with rocks near the point
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty is described as easy.
Through the year
Regularly crowded on weekends and during any significant south swell.
Summer months (December to March) see the most frequent tropical rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Ilha Porchat is a sheltered beach/point break with pretty consistent surf, particularly in winter.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is described as optimal.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered point break; the island provides shelter and wraps swell into manageable lines.
- Wind Effect
- North and Northwest winds are offshore, grooming the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Acts as a refuge during heavy storms as the island filters the energy into manageable lines.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality is described.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Described as soft/relatively manageable energy.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Long, peeling right-handers are favored, especially in larger south swell.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Long, gentle peeling lines.
- Ride Length
- Long — Waves can peel for a significant distance along the side of the island during optimal south swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Peeling right-handers can run for a significant distance along the island when conditions line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ilha Porchat in the full forecast view.
Ilha Porchat wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- S181°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 17–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ilha Porchat is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.1–0.5 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
- Water pollution
- Submerged rocks near the point
- Crowded conditions during good swells
- Potential debris
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is described.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers: 193 (fire), 190 (police), 192 (medical/ambulance). Nearest major facility referenced: Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism; respect the longboarding community.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local longboarding community.
- Check the water quality before going out, especially after heavy rain.
- This is a go-to spot when other beaches in the region are closing out due to excessive swell size.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santos
- Nearest Town
- São Vicente
- Parking
- Public parking available along the beachfront and near the island entrance
- Public Transport
- Excellent local bus network and VLT connecting Santos and São Vicente; commuter rail/buses connect Santos to São Paulo
- Access
- Easy access via the coastal road in São Vicente with paved roads leading to the beach area
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and guesthouses available in São Vicente and nearby Santos
- Food & Drink
- Multiple kiosks and restaurants located along the Itararé beach and on the island itself
- Equipment Rental:
- Occasional surfboard rentals available at beach kiosks
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Coastal boat tours to Ilha Porchat.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ilha Porchat?
The best overall months at Ilha Porchat are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Ilha Porchat?
Ilha Porchat works with N, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW.
What skill level is Ilha Porchat suitable for?
Ilha Porchat suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.