Ponta da Tartaruga
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ponta da Tartaruga is a coastal surf spot in São Francisco do Sul that works as a beach/point/pier-style break depending on conditions. It’s most associated with right-hand waves from a point area, with south and southeast swell producing the most favorable shape. For surfing, the commonly favored setup is west to northwest winds providing offshore, cleaner conditions. When the sandbars align with southern swells, the break can deliver long, peeling walls rather than just shorter bump waves. The immediate launch and breaking area has notable safety considerations. Submerged rocks at the point and the nearby Petrobras pier structure mean takeoff and positioning require care, and strong rip currents are possible along the point and near the pier. Seasonally, the most consistent surf conditions are described around late autumn through winter into early late summer—especially May through August—while water temperature ranges from the high teens in winter to the mid-20s in summer. Local guidance emphasizes finding the best waves close to the point rocks, while being aware of a named rock hazard near the lineup.
- Right-hand point-style surfing when southern swells hit
- Long, peeling rides reported when sandbars align
- Offshore cleanup with West/NW winds
- Well-known local right-hand point break when southern swells and westerly winds line up
- Can offer long, peeling rides with the right sandbar alignment
- Clean offshore winds with West/NW wind directions
- Submerged rocks and industrial pier structure add risk
- Strong rip currents possible near the point and pier
- Crowds can build during peak swell conditions
- Wind and wave quality depend on getting the right swell direction and conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind regime includes southerly frontal winds and northeasterly/sea-breeze influence in the broader Enseada cluster.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Wind/wave interaction can create chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area south of the point
Through the year
Highest in summer (December–February) and on weekends with good surf.
Thunderstorms are common in the summer afternoons; summer is also described as the rainiest period in the region.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily a surfing zone at the point; kitesurfing is described as possible at an adjacent area, while the point itself has rocks and potential wind shadows.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Open water south of the point can be suitable, but caution is needed due to rocky bottom near the point.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Point break with right-hand waves; can produce long, peeling walls when conditions align.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered
- Wind Effect
- West and Northwest winds provide clean offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but may start to close out if the direction becomes too easterly.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides can connect from the point toward the beach; reported rides up to about 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ponta da Tartaruga in the full forecast view.
Ponta da Tartaruga wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SE128°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2614 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 16–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ponta da Tartaruga is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.7–1.5 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
- Submerged rocks at the point
- Strong rip currents
- Industrial pier structure (Petrobras pier)
- Crowds during peak swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level data indicates no rescue availability; regional guidance notes limited coverage with lifeguard services active especially during high summer season.
- Emergency Info
- Hospitals are located in the center of São Francisco do Sul.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup at the point.
- The best waves are usually found right next to the rocks of the point.
- Watch out for the 'Turtle' rock which gives the spot its name.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Joinville
- Nearest Town
- São Francisco do Sul
- Nearest Airport
- Joinville-Lauro Carneiro de Loyola Airport (JOI)
- Parking
- Limited street parking in the residential areas nearby.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus lines connect the Enseada district to São Francisco do Sul’s central terminal and the neighboring city of Joinville.
- Access
- Access is via the beach at Praia do Itaguaçu or Praia do Forte.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Pousadas and vacation rentals are available in Praia de Enseada and Itaguaçu.
- Food & Drink
- Several kiosks and restaurants are located along the neighboring beaches.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf boards are described as available for rent via surf shops in the nearby Enseada/Enseada-Prainha area.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is primarily limited to guest facilities at local pousadas and surf-oriented accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in the city can handle minor board repairs.
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 Ponta da Tartaruga?
The best overall months at Ponta da Tartaruga are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Ponta da Tartaruga?
Ponta da Tartaruga works with W, NW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ponta da Tartaruga?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ponta da Tartaruga: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Ponta da Tartaruga suitable for?
Ponta da Tartaruga suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.