Mar Grosso
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mar Grosso is a long, sandy beach launch area in Laguna known for clean ocean conditions and reliable Northeast (NE) wind in the summer season. Riders commonly plan around the 15–30 knot NE set-up, with afternoon thermal reinforcement that can ramp winds later in the day. For kitesurfing, the beach offers regular small-to-medium waves and NE/E wind angles that are typically side-onshore, supporting wave riding and freeride sessions. Reports also describe the spot as beginner-friendly thanks to on-site schools, while other sources characterize wave practice as reaching intermediate levels due to currents, shore break, and the wave environment. Surfing is generally an exposed beach break with peeling shapes and moderate wave power. Working swell is reported in the south to southeast range (about 1.0–2.5 m), and the northern section near the jetties may offer better wave shape. On bigger sets, waves can hold size but become heavier when currents strengthen. Safety is a key theme at Mar Grosso: the southern end near the jetties (molhes) and summer shore break/current conditions create specific hazards, and peak summer months include swimmers in designated bathing zones. The local guidance emphasizes avoiding the main swimmer areas during high season and checking the southern end for cleaner wave entries and safer access patterns.
- Reliable NE wind for kitesurfing wave sessions in summer
- Large sandy beach with extensive space for launching
- Peeling beach-break surfing, often best near the jetties
- Thermal sea-breeze reinforcement in summer afternoons
- Consistent NE winds in warm months
- Large sandy beach with plenty of space for kiting launch and setup
- Versatile for wave-riding and freeride (especially with NE wind)
- Shore break can be a factor
- Jetties at the southern end create hazards/constraints
- Currents can become strong, especially with stronger wind set-ups
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — NE trade winds; summer reinforcement from the northeast
- Reliability
- High during spring and summer; reported as about 3–4 days per week in summer
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Light gusting reported in some sources; otherwise generally steady
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–16 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe small-to-medium to medium wave conditions
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Waves can be affected by wind; generally not described as heavily choppy
- Launch
- Big — Extensive large sandy beach with plenty of space to set up and launch away from buildings
Through the year
Very high in January and February; relatively quiet for the rest of the year
Southern fronts in winter can bring more frequent storm conditions; thunderstorms are common in the late afternoon during summer
By sport
What to expect for each.
Ocean conditions with regular small-to-medium waves and NE/E winds; suitable for wave riding and freeride, with side-onshore conditions during the NE wind component.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–16 m²
Suitable for wave and freeride windsurfing, though kitesurfing is more prevalent.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Possible but can be challenging due to shore break and wave energy; the southern end near the jetties may offer slightly more sheltered water depending on swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness reported as limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
Consistent beach break with good wave shape; waves can be affected by wind, swell, and moon phase. Northern/jetties area often gives better shape.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Sources differ: some favor mid tide, others indicate all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break
- Wind Effect
- NE wind is cross-shore/onshore; S wind is side-shore; generally wind affects wave quality
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become heavy with strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; affected by wind/swell/leaning conditions
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling shape with medium peel speed reported
- Ride Length
- Medium — Good days can produce long rides
- Typical Ride Length
- 70–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides of roughly 50 to 100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mar Grosso in the full forecast view.
Mar Grosso wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- E97°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 13–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mar Grosso is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.9–1.8 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
- Strong currents
- Shore break
- Jetties (molhes) at the southern end of the beach
- Swimmers in designated bathing zones during peak summer
- Waves affected by swell and moon phase
- Turbulence close to buildings on the promenade if wind is too northerly
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence; some sources report none year-round
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is generally limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility in Laguna: Hospital de Caridade Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos. Emergency number for Fire Department/Ambulance: 193.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism reported as none/mild depending on source
Rules of the spot
Avoid kitesurfing in the primary swimmer zones during peak holiday season (December–February). Respect other water users near the jetties and designated bathing areas.
- Designated swimming areas during summer
- Wind typically ramps up in the early afternoon.
- For cleaner wave entries, check the southern end near the Molhes (jetties).
- Great for beginners due to schools on the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Laguna
- Nearest Town
- Laguna
- Nearest Airport
- Florianópolis International Airport (FLN)
- Parking
- Abundant street parking along Avenida Beira Mar, but can get crowded during summer weekends.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect Laguna to Florianópolis and Tubarão; local taxis and ride-sharing apps serve the immediate coastal area.
- Access
- Short drive from Laguna, with beach access via main coastal road and multiple access points along the promenade.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation in and around Mar Grosso/Laguna is available; some sources describe lodging directly across the street from the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars nearby; seafood kiosks and waterfront food options reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental availability for kitesurfing reported as limited; equipment rental for surfing/windsurfing in the area reported as available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Laguna’s maritime culture and coastal landmarks pair well with water sports—especially the dolphin-assisted fishing spectacle at the jetties.
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.
One of the largest lighthouses in the Americas, offering world-class surfing and spectacular views south of 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 Mar Grosso?
The best overall months at Mar Grosso are June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Mar Grosso?
Mar Grosso works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Mar Grosso?
Recommended equipment sizes at Mar Grosso: Kitesurfing: 12–16 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Mar Grosso suitable for?
Mar Grosso suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.