Maranduba (Ubatuba)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maranduba (Ubatuba) is a sheltered beach break known for soft, manageable surf that’s especially beginner-friendly. Sources describe it as producing both left and right waves, with the quality being highly dependent on swell size—many reports emphasize that the beach can be very calm and may require a larger incoming swell to feel truly surfable. Wind-wise, northwest is consistently referenced as the best direction, with sessions noted to work best when winds blow offshore from the northwest. Typical conditions are described as light to moderate (about 8–15 knots) with steady character, though overall wind reliability is described as low to moderate because it depends on weather fronts and sea-breeze development. For water safety, the main concerns are near-shore swimming areas and shallow sandbars, with additional reports mentioning strong rip currents. Local guidance stresses respecting designated swimming zones and lifeguards, and following good surf etiquette to reduce conflicts with beachgoers. Seasonally, surfing conditions are best in the winter period (May to November), with one guide specifically calling out January as the best month. Temperatures align with regional patterns: winter water is around the low 20s °C, while summer reaches the upper 20s °C, which can influence comfort and the need for wetsuits.
- Sheltered, beginner-oriented beach break
- Offshore-northwest wind works best for surf conditions
- Winter (May to November) highlighted as the best overall surfing season
- Sheltered beach break with gentle waves that suit beginners.
- Northwest winds are typically the best direction for clean offshore conditions.
- Rarely crowded conditions are reported outside peak periods.
- Can be very calm; you often need a significant swell to get truly rideable surfing.
- Shallow sandbars and crowded swimming areas can complicate near-shore sessions.
- Wind reliability varies and may depend on frontal passages and local sea-breeze timing.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence; conditions described as best with offshore northwest winds.
- Reliability
- Low to moderate; primarily depends on weather fronts and sea breezes.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered by hills and islands, creating wind shadows particularly for southern directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves overall; needs enough swell for rideable conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Described as chop in one source, but also described as calm/sheltered with gentle surf.
- Launch
- Big — Long, wide sandy beach with plenty of space at low tide.
Through the year
Extremely crowded during December, January, and carnival week; much quieter during weekdays in the off-season.
January and February typically have the highest rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible due to calm, flat conditions, but shallow water limits foilability and requires walking out past shallow sandbars.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Minimum depth is only reached after walking out past shallow sandbars.
Sheltered beach break with gentle waves; better when a significant swell is running. Produces left and right waves (wave direction both).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, All tides — Reported as low tide for beach space, but also described as working across all tides.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered bay setting.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds provide clean offshore conditions and work best for the surf here.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up better during large swells when other Ubatuba beaches become too heavy.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Considered among the better Ubatuba beginner areas, but still depends on having enough swell.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Very sheltered break producing soft, gentle waves.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Regional descriptions vary from mixed to mushy when very calm; described as gentle/soft overall.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Soft, gentle waves; rides are easy to manage.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, soft rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, soft rides that are easy to manage; when swell is larger it can hold up better than some other nearby Ubatuba beaches.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maranduba (Ubatuba) in the full forecast view.
Maranduba (Ubatuba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SE146°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maranduba (Ubatuba) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.3–1.0 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 rip currents
- Crowded swimming areas
- Shallow sandbars
- Beachgoers near shore
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is Santa Casa de Ubatuba. Emergency services: 193 (Fire/Rescue) and 192 (Ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues indicated; etiquette still recommended.
Rules of the spot
Follow designated swimming zones and surf etiquette to avoid annoying other beach users.
- Motorized vessels are restricted near swimming areas.
- Respect designated swimming zones marked by the local maritime authorities and lifeguards.
- Arrive early during summer months to secure parking and space.
- Waves are best at the corner near the rocks or during large incoming swells (when conditions size up).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, pousadas, and vacation rentals are located directly across from the beach.
- Food & Drink
- The beach is lined with kiosks (quiosques) serving food and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf rentals are available at local shops; equipment rentals include stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals commonly.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Maranduba (Ubatuba)?
The best overall months at Maranduba (Ubatuba) are May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Maranduba (Ubatuba)?
Maranduba (Ubatuba) works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Maranduba (Ubatuba) suitable for?
Maranduba (Ubatuba) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Beginner.