Praia da Ponta Grossa

Praia da Ponta Grossa is a low-profile, relatively secluded beach break on the São Paulo coast that tends to be worth checking only when conditions line up. It’s described as fickle, with the strongest results coming when the swell is clearly “real,” particularly during winter. Surfing works best with east-groundswells/southeast-type swell setups, while the spot can also be influenced by how wind and exposure interact with the nearby headlands. North to north-northwest winds are generally the more favorable direction, helping groom the surface; south and southeast winds tend to add chop. Water quality is the key variable and can drop after heavy rains because of local drainage and proximity to the port/urban runoff. For that reason, it’s recommended to surf only after a dry spell and to treat pollution warnings seriously when the weather has been unsettled. Even though it can see good surf in the right conditions, it’s typically not a crowded destination, and it comes with practical realities: access requires a hike through the Atlantic Forest or a boat approach, there’s no direct parking, and the area has rocks/submerged rocks near the headlands.