New Orleans (Maceió)
- Bodyboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
New Orleans is a sandy beach-break known for hollow, fast, and powerful waves that can be fun for a wide range of surfers when conditions line up. The bottom is sandy with rocks, and the spot is primarily described as working on both left and right directions with good overall wave quality. For surfing, it’s reported to start working around 1.0m–1.5m and can hold up to roughly 2.5m+ (about 8ft+). Ride length is typically short on normal days (under 50m), with better days extending to around 50–150m. The best tide position is consistently described as low and mid tide, including the idea that it works through rising and falling tides as well. Wind-wise, the area is influenced by trade winds from the east/NE, with a stronger afternoon window when a sea breeze complements the trades. Reported typical wind speeds are about 15–22 knots, and winds are described as high reliability. For surfers, NorthEast wind is associated with choppier conditions, while lighter West winds can help create a more glassy look. Safety notes emphasize rocks/submerged rocks and the possibility of rip currents near the rocks. There are no lifeguards reported, and local guidance is important for finding the exact location—it's named after a landmark on the beach, and if it’s hard to locate, asking local people is recommended. Nearby emergency care is described as being in central Maceió.
- Hollow, powerful beach-break waves
- Works from about 1.0–1.5m and can hold up to ~2.5m+
- Low-profile spot; usually quiet
- Often hollow, fast, and powerful beach-break waves over a sandy bottom with rocks.
- Works across a swell range starting around 1.0–1.5m and holding up to about 2.5m+.
- Low-profile spot with few surfers on weekdays.
- Surfing hazards include rocks and the possibility of rip currents near the rocks.
- No lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (alísios) from East and Southeast, with local sea-breeze reinforcement in the afternoon.
- Reliability
- High
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind reported; sea breeze can strengthen in the afternoon.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · +0–5 kts · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: E, SE · Thermal reinforcement is strongest in the afternoon when the sea breeze complements the trade winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach-break with rocks.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Huge — Wave size described as huge; reported working range starts around 1.0–1.5m and can hold to ~2.5m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy reported with NorthEast winds.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (< 5 minutes walking). Beach launch in front of a historic restaurant landmark.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; few surfers on weekends.
Rainy season typically occurs from May to August.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Quality beach-break with hollow, fast, powerful waves that work for both left and right directions over sandy bottom with rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Low and mid tide; also mentioned as working on rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach-break.
- Wind Effect
- With NorthEast winds it can be choppy; with light West winds it can become glassy/offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2.5m+ (around 8ft+) before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful, and fun.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast-rolling described.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short typical rides; < 50m normally, up to 50–150m on good days.
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are short (< 50m); good days can run roughly 50–150m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for New Orleans (Maceió) in the full forecast view.
New Orleans (Maceió) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- ENE75°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m7s period
- Temperature
- 25–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, New Orleans (Maceió) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–1.3 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
- Submerged rocks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated municipal rescue service for water sports reported for the region; emergency services can be reached via 192 (SAMU) or 193 (firefighters).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in the Maceió city center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Reported as mild localism; weekdays are typically empty.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect local priorities at the peak.
- Best surfing is reported at low or mid tide (and on rising and falling tides).
- Ask local people where the spot is located if you cannot find the landmark on the beach.
- If you can't find the restaurant/landmark, ask locals for the exact location.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Maceió
- Nearest Town
- Sereia
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach access points.
- Access
- Take the road to Paripueira from Maceió, passing Praia da Sereia; look for a restaurant on the right side right on the beach. Towards the north coast of Maceió, ask local people for the exact spot location if unsure.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Pousadas and hotels are available in nearby districts.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant on the right side right on the beach near the launch; beachfront restaurants and kiosks nearby.
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 New Orleans (Maceió)?
The best overall months at New Orleans (Maceió) are June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January. The best wind months are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at New Orleans (Maceió)?
New Orleans (Maceió) works with NE winds.
What skill level is New Orleans (Maceió) suitable for?
New Orleans (Maceió) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.