Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Martim de Sá is a remote surfing beach break on the Paraty coast inside the Juatinga Ecological Reserve, known for very clear water and a quiet, wilderness-focused vibe. Waves are described as regular and consistent, with both left and right peaks on a sandy bottom, and a working range that starts below 1 m and can hold up to around 2.5 m+ before closing out. The best conditions reported across sources point to northwest wind (serving as the best offshore direction) paired with southwest swell. Tide guidance is consistent in favor of mid to high tide, with the spot working well there. One provider describes the wave shape as peeling with fast peel, and overall wave quality as a regional classic (another source rates it as good). Access is one of the defining constraints: the beach is not reached by road, requiring a boat trip from Paraty (or nearby) to Pouso da Cajaíba followed by a long jungle walk (about 1.5–2 hours, commonly ~1h 30min). Due to this, weekday crowds tend to be empty and weekends have only a few surfers. Safety planning is important. Hazards include rocks at the beach ends and strong currents on larger swells, and the spot is very isolated with no on-site rescue or lifeguards. Localism is reported at a moderate level, and the area is governed by reserve rules (including restrictions on motorized vehicles and designated camping). Bring all supplies, plan for emergencies, and respect both the lineup and the protected reserve environment.
- Remote reserve setting with very clear water
- Consistent left/right beach break peaks
- Long working window from <1 m up to ~2.5 m+
- Low crowd due to boat + long hike access
- Regional-class beach break with consistent left/right waves
- Works from less than 1 m up to 2.5 m+
- Typically empty/low crowd on weekdays due to difficult access
- Pristine reserve setting with very clear water
- Very remote access (boat + long hike) and hard to find
- No on-site rescue/lifeguards; emergencies require boat/transfer to Paraty
- Rocks at the ends of the beach and strong currents on bigger swells
- Lineup can have moderate localism
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Provider data indicates a thermal wind contribution; regional context says wind is mainly driven by frontal (S/SW) activity with periodic trade winds and weak thermal development near the Serra do Mar mountains.
- Best Months
- July, August
- Shadow Zones
- High mountains surrounding the bay can create significant wind shadows from many directions.
- Thermal Window
- Other · Months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Dir: N, NW · Thermal/seasonal wind window reported across April–October by one provider; regional context expects generally weak thermal development overall.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf sources describe a working range starting below 1 m and holding up to about 2.5 m+; one provider labels typical size as small/medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide, sandy beach but requires a long trek to reach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Long trek to reach; access is difficult beyond the walk itself.
Through the year
Generally empty or with very few surfers; crowds slightly increase during summer holidays but remain low due to access difficulty.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote, high-quality beach break with consistent left and right peaks. Sandy bottom and regular frequency; holds up to roughly 2.5 m+ before starting to close out.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Often best at mid and high tide; sources also cite mid-to-high.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Located on an exposed stretch within the reserve; strong offshore NW wind can help groom waves, while wind shadows may vary.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds provide the best offshore conditions to groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds shape up to ~2.5 m+; on larger swell it can start to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — One source describes wave quality as a regional classic; another reports good quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Reported normal to long rides; typically 50–150 m, with exceptional days up to ~300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal: about 50–150 m; good/long days reported around 150–300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) in the full forecast view.
Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–15 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- SSE148°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2615 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–2.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 19–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.7–2.1 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
- Rocks (at beach ends)
- Strong currents during larger swells
- Remote location
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue; nearest coast guard/marine rescue based in Paraty.
- Emergency Info
- No dedicated on-site rescue; nearest help is a boat trip and drive away in Paraty. Emergency services referenced for the region: 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire/rescue).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; maintain respectful behavior in the lineup.
Rules of the spot
Respect reserve/community regulations and avoid prohibited access (no motorized vehicles; camping only in designated areas).
- No motorized vehicles
- Camping only in designated areas
- The spot is very isolated and within an ecological reserve—bring all essentials and first-aid/basic supplies.
- Access is difficult (boat + long jungle walk), and the location is hard to find—plan accordingly.
- Maintain a respectful attitude in the lineup due to localism.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Paraty
- Nearest Town
- Paraty
- Nearest Airport
- Galeão International Airport (GIG) (~250 km) and São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU) (~280 km)
- Parking
- No parking available at the spot; cars must be left in Paraty or Laranjeiras.
- Public Transport
- No road access; reachable only by boat ('voadeira') from Paraty or Laranjeiras, or via a 3–4 hour hike
- Access
- By boat only to Pouso da Cajaíba (from Paraty or nearby), then a long trek through the jungle (about 1.5 to 2 hours; one source says ~1h 30min). The spot is hard to find.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Primarily basic, rustic camping and small caiçara guesthouses in the wider area (around Paraty). Wild camping is the primary option; some basic rustic lodges may be available nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Very limited options; most visitors bring their own supplies, though some simple meals may be purchased from locals.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available; you must bring all your own gear.
- Gear Storage
- None.
- Gear Repair
- None.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Wilderness-focused travel with easy access to classic Paraty culture via the broader region and day-to-multi-day nature activities around the ecological reserve.
Brazil's only tropical fjord, offering kayaking and hiking with stunning views.
Multi-day hiking trails connecting remote fishing villages and pristine beaches.
UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture and cobblestone streets.
Local families serve traditional fish and bean dishes in basic beachside settings.
Schooner or speedboat trips around the islands of the Bay of Paraty.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro)?
The best overall months at Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) are July, August.
Which wind directions work at Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro)?
Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) suitable for?
Martim de Sá (Rio de Janeiro) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.