Madeiro (Tibau do Sul)

Madeiro (Tibau do Sul) is a sandy beach-break surf spot known for small, regular waves and a shape that’s commonly used for beginner surfing and longboarding. Waves are described as peeling and available as right and left options, with water quality noted as clean and shore break as small. Ride length and “working tide” vary between sources: some descriptions emphasize short rides (<50 m) and low tide, while others describe much longer rides (150–300 m) on good days and indicate mid-tide can be favorable. Swell direction is generally given as North, East, and North-East, and the main working swell-height window is described around 0.5 m to 2.0 m (with reports that it closes out when swells exceed roughly 2.5 m). Wind conditions at Madeiro are strongly influenced by Southeast trade winds, but high cliffs can create a calmer, more sheltered surfing area near the shore. Typical wind speeds are described in the 15–25 knot range, with steadier conditions; one reference also notes that the spot can be affected by strong “blown” days and relatively low “clean” frequency. For safety, the key theme is underwater reef/rocks at the ends of the beach. It’s recommended to check conditions before entering, and to plan access with tide in mind (sand and access can change at high tide). Rescue is described as limited, and the nearest major medical care is in Natal. Dolphins are frequently seen in the water, sometimes swimming among surfers.