Praia do Félix (Ubatuba)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) is known for strong, hollow beach-break surfing, with a reputation for a powerful right-hand corner that throws fast barrels when the swell is in the right direction and the tide is supportive. Multiple descriptions highlight the regional-classic wave quality and the “hollow, powerful” character of the main section, with right-side waves breaking close to the rock area. The spot has two distinct personalities. On the right corner, surfers report fast, intense hollow waves with barrel-like behavior that tends to be short in length (often described under 50 meters, commonly around 30–50 m). As swell builds, this section can get very heavy and more dangerous—there is a higher risk of being pushed toward the rocks. The left side is described as notably calmer, with softer energy that can be preferable for learning and for longboarding. For timing, conditions are most often cited as best with SE to east swells (including south/southeast/east) and on low to mid tide. Wind guidance across sources points to offshore or wind directions that groom the face; spot-level notes also emphasize that afternoon conditions can change with sea-breeze development, so early sessions can reduce exposure to heavy tourist crowds and shifting wind. Safety-wise, the hazards are not just the surf size: rip currents are reported, particularly near the rocks on the right side, and the beach has large rocks/boulders at both ends. Local priority is also emphasized at the right-corner peak, and crowding can become extreme during peak summer holiday periods—weekdays are often calmer. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited/seasonal, so riders should plan for lower immediate assistance and avoid the most hazardous rock-adjacent lines when sets are bigger.
- Hollow, powerful right-corner barrels
- Two-sided beach with a calmer left end for lower-energy sessions
- SE–E swell window with low-to-mid tide best
- Clear water and scenic setting
- Famous hollow, powerful beach-break with excellent regional wave quality
- Works on SE–E (and south/southeast/east) swells with low-to-mid tide windows
- Versatile layout: intense right corner plus a calmer left side that can suit learners/longboarders
- Clear water and a scenic setting
- Potent, powerful surf with strong waves and heavy shore break at times
- Rip currents reported near rocks on the right side
- Rocks/boulders at both ends increase risk when conditions are bigger/heavier
- Crowding and local priority at the right-corner peak during weekends/holidays
- Limited rescue availability
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, S, SE, E
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Regional pattern described as a gentle afternoon sea breeze; spot-level sources also describe sea-breeze wind type.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Spot sources indicate moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Heavy wind shadow near northern and southern cliffs due to high Atlantic Forest vegetation.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with medium-sized beach footprint.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Spot sources also describe medium waves; overall spot-level surf size is variable (small to medium working range).
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access via short walk; limited space at high tide or during peak tourist periods.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty is described as easy in some notes and moderate in others; practically, conditions and crowding influence ease.
Through the year
Extremely crowded during December, January, and February; weekends are generally busy year-round.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A versatile beach-break with two main wave personalities: a powerful, hollow right-hand corner with intense, fast barrels, and a comparatively calmer left side that can be better for learning/longboarding.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E, SSE, S, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Works best at low to mid tide in spot-level notes; other guidance places it around low and mid and mentions rising/falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach setup; wave environment is not strongly sheltered from wind/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds groom the wave faces; west and northwest winds provide ideal offshore conditions. Spot-level notes also describe offshore wind behavior for good surf.
- Bigger Swell
- The right corner can hold significant size but becomes very heavy and challenging with a high risk of being pushed toward rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic / good to excellent wave quality described; standout reputation for Ubatuba.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, hollow surf described repeatedly.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow/barrel-type description for both right and left personalities (right especially).
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling sections reported.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; common guidance is under 50 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40 m
- Ride Length Details
- Right-hand barrels are intense but relatively short; spot-level notes commonly describe 30 to 50 m, with general guidance of short rides (<50 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) in the full forecast view.
Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- S179°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2611 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.6 m8s period
- Temperature
- 17–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.7–1.6 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Localism
- Rip currents (particularly near rocks on the right side)
- Rocks and boulders at both ends of the beach
- Heavy shore break
- Strong waves can make staying in the water difficult
- Crowded conditions during peak season
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal; rescue is reported as limited.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; major lifeguard coverage is typically focused on major beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in central Ubatuba (about 15 km away). Brazil’s national emergency number for fire and sea rescue is 193.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Spot-level notes range from localism warnings to a mild to moderate localism level; priority at the right-corner peak is important.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette and respect priority at the peak in the right corner.
- No motorized watercraft
- Follow environmental protection rules for the surrounding Atlantic Forest
- Early morning sessions can help avoid the afternoon sea breeze and heavy tourist crowds.
- If you are learning, use the calmer left side of the beach (lower energy) and stay there.
- The right side can be hollow and powerful but is more hazardous near rocks on bigger sets—be cautious and keep clear of the rock area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Parking
- Parking available with a reported fee (noted as $30 in at least one source); limited parking inside the residential area fills very early on weekends and holidays.
- Public Transport
- Served by the Litorânea bus line connecting to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with local Verdebus lines reaching coastal villages
- Access
- Short walk (5–15 min) from Rio-Santo highway; spot access described as public for pedestrians even though entry can be through a gated residential area; parking is limited and often fills early on weekends/holidays.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Pousadas and vacation rentals in and around the Félix area and nearby neighborhoods.
- Food & Drink
- Small beach kiosks serve snacks, seafood, and drinks on the sand.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at beach kiosks and local surf schools; general spot cluster notes also indicate rentals are common in the area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ubatuba is a nature-forward destination with over 100 beaches backed by the Serra do Mar mountains, with surf plus hiking and wildlife-focused attractions.
Sea turtle conservation center with educational exhibits and live turtle sightings.
Colonial-style architecture, craft markets, and the historic Sobradão do Porto.
Scenic hiking trail connecting seven secluded beaches through the Atlantic Forest.
Local establishment serving traditional seafood and Italian-inspired dishes.
Aquarium featuring regional marine life and touch tanks for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Praia do Félix (Ubatuba)?
The best overall months at Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) are May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Praia do Félix (Ubatuba)?
Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) works with SW, S, SE, E winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW, WSW.
What skill level is Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) suitable for?
Praia do Félix (Ubatuba) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.