Mariscal
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mariscal is an expansive sandy beach near Bombinhas that works as a beach-break for surfing and as a wave-oriented spot for kitesurfing. Surf reports emphasize both left and right waves and a generally good, punchy character; typical ride lengths are described around 50 to 150 meters. Wave performance varies by conditions: one guide characterizes the beach break as quite exposed with unreliable waves, while other descriptions still rate it as regular and consistent within its working swell range. The spot is also described as holding up to about 2.5 meters before closing out on larger sets. Wind-based sports are strongly tied to Northeast flow, particularly in spring (September through November). Reports note NE winds tend to create side-onshore conditions that are ideal for wave riding and jumpy ramp-style sessions, while summer can bring stronger fronts from the south and more crowded swimmer conditions. Safety-wise, expect rip currents and shore-break impacts, especially as swell builds. Coverage is seasonal, with lifeguards typically more reliable during high season, and there may be additional attention needed around crowded summer weekends and sandbank changes after storms.
- Northeast winds in spring support fun side-onshore kite wave riding
- Consistent beach-break surfing with both lefts and rights
- Long sandy launch area with room to rig and launch
- Rip currents and shore break are the key water-safety watch points
- Strong multi-sport beach with ample space to launch/rig
- Northeast winds in spring are well aligned with kite wave/freeride riding
- Surfers report consistent beach-break waves with both lefts and rights and good typical ride lengths
- Water can be cloudy in at least some conditions
- Rip currents can occur, especially with larger swells
- Shore break and summer crowding can add risk/complexity
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider notes frontal conditions; regional pattern also emphasizes Northeast dominance with sea-breeze influence in summer.
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on weather fronts and standard Northeast trade winds.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Big — Spacious white sand beach with plenty of room to rig and launch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Extremely crowded in January and February; quiet and pleasant in the shoulder seasons.
Summer months often see tropical afternoon thunderstorms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Best kite conditions from Northeast winds in spring (September–November). NE flow is side-onshore, creating bumps and jumping ramps; SW can be stronger but more gusty.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing during NE wind days; shore break requires skill.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.7 m²
Possible when shore break is small. Sandy bottom; depth increases quickly.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Expansive, consistent beach-break with both lefts and rights. Works from small swell and can hold up to around 2.5 meters before closing out on larger days.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid, All tides — Sources emphasize low-to-mid tide, while another describes it working across all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Quite exposed beach-break; wave shelter is limited.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with West or Southwest winds; Northeast/side-onshore flow typically suits kitesurfing more than surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to around 2.5 meters before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as 'Regional Classic' with good overall quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Surprisingly consistent but can be unreliable in some conditions per surf guide baseline; generally described as good.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast and punchy; can offer short barrels on the right sandbanks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length reported as about 50 to 150 meters; can produce short barrels on the right sandbanks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mariscal in the full forecast view.
Mariscal wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ESE112°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.1 m6s period
- Temperature
- 15–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mariscal is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.5–1.1 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
- Rip currents
- Crowds in summer
- Shore break
- Occasional rocks at the north and south ends of the beach
- Strong rip currents can be present during larger swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are usually present during the high season (December to March).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard water priority rules apply. Respect local surfers and swimmers in designated areas.
- Summer restrictions on kitesurfing may apply in very crowded swimmer zones.
- The north end (Canto do Mariscal) can offer more shelter from certain wind directions.
- Check the sandbanks as they shift after major storms.
- If surfing, consider the risks of shore break and watch for rip currents on larger days.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Florianópolis
- Nearest Town
- Bombinhas
- Parking
- Street parking available along the beach road, but it gets very full in summer.
- Access
- Accessible via paved roads from the center of Bombinhas. From Florianópolis, drive north on BR-101 around 60 km to Porto Belo/Bombinhas; at Bombinhas fisher’s village, ask locals for Mariscal’s entrance. Short walk (5–15 min) from the village.
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous pousadas, holiday rentals, and hotels within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several beachfront kiosks and restaurants serve local seafood and snacks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at local surf schools along the beach.
- Gear Storage
- Limited specialized storage facilities; most riders use private accommodation or local surf schools.
- Gear Repair
- Minor surf and fiberglass repairs are available through local shapers in the Bombinhas and Porto Belo area; specialized kite/wing bladder repair may require travel.
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 Mariscal?
The best overall months at Mariscal are September, October, November, December, January. The best wind months are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Mariscal?
Mariscal works with NE, E, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Mariscal?
Recommended equipment sizes at Mariscal: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Mariscal suitable for?
Mariscal suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.