Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Rincao (also called Praia da Lagoinha) is a sandy beach/pier break where surf tends to be most compelling near the north jetty on South swell days. The spot’s wave setting is described as a straight chain of beachbreaks, with average swell reported around roughly 1.5–1.6 meters and occasional larger pulses from the south. For wind sports, the defining factor is the Northeast trade wind (“Nordestão”). The wind is reported as most reliable in spring and summer, with typical speeds around 15–25 knots and thermal reinforcement that often strengthens the wind in the afternoon. The jetty and the nearby fishing platform can create localized flatter water sections, but also create a wind shadow immediately behind them. Surf conditions are described as good overall, with waves taking a peeling shape and supporting medium ride lengths. On bigger swells (reported above about 2.5 meters), the break can close out. Wind direction also matters: NE winds are generally side-onshore, while W and NW are offshore for the surf setup. Safety is an important consideration: rip currents are a stated hazard, and there are hard structures (the jetty and fishing platform) plus fishing lines/hooks near the platform area. Crowds during the summer peak can add complexity in the water, so it’s recommended to respect surfers near the jetty and to avoid riding too close to the platform. Lifeguards are described as seasonal and rescue availability as limited; checking local water-quality updates during peak summer is also advised due to the risk of urban runoff affecting the beach.
- North jetty area is the most sought-after surf location on South swell
- Strong Northeast wind season supports kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Wide sandy beach for launching and setup
- Consistent beach-break surf with a strong local focus on the north-jetty area
- Northeast wind season supports wind sports, especially kitesurfing
- Long sandy beach offers practical space for launching and setup
- Reported good wave quality on suitable South-swell days
- Rip currents present
- Hard structures (jetty and fishing platform) nearby create snag/impact risk
- Crowds can make in-water navigation tricky during summer peak
- Large swells can close out over 2.5 meters
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, S, SW, W
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Vento Nordeste (Northeast trade wind), frequently reinforced by thermal heating in the afternoon during spring and summer.
- Reliability
- High during spring and summer months.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Reported average swell around 1.5–1.6 m; occasional larger south pulses.
- Launch
- Big — Extensive sandy beach with ample space for gear setup.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Peak crowds in January and February; very quiet in winter months (June–August).
Rain can occur year-round, with occasional frontal storms in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reliable kitesurfing with consistent Northeast wind; wide beach space for launching, with the jetty offering flatter sections depending on tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing, especially wave and freeride styles, with strong summer winds supporting medium to small sails.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Possible but can be challenging due to shore break and sandy shallows; foilers often go further out beyond the break.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Beach/pier break with the most sought-after surf near the north jetty on South swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — The north jetty helps groom sandbanks and provides some protection from certain wind directions.
- Wind Effect
- NE winds are side-onshore; W and NW are offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells over about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves can offer rides of about 50 to 100 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length is reported around 50–100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) in the full forecast view.
Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- SSE154°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2512 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 12–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.0–1.9 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
- Rip currents
- Hard structures (Jetty and Fishing Platform)
- Fishing lines and hooks near the platform
- Crowds in the water during summer peak
- Fishing nets (occasional)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard stations operate primarily during the peak summer season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Criciúma, approximately 25km away.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect the surfers near the jetty; kitesurfing is generally done downwind of the main surfing zones.
- Avoid riding too close to the fishing platform for safety and to respect local fishers.
- The best surf is usually found right next to the north jetty on a South swell.
- Check water quality reports during peak summer because urban runoff can affect the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Balneᵡo Arroio do Silva
- Nearest Town
- Balneᵡo Arroio do Silva
- Parking
- Ample parking available along the beachfront and near the jetty
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily by car via the BR-101 highway; local bus lines connect Balneário Arroio do Silva with the regional hub of Araranguá.
- Access
- Accessible by paved roads from Içara and Criciúma
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Variety of pousadas, seasonal holiday rentals, and campsites for domestic tourists.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous kiosks and restaurants offering seafood and snacks along the boardwalk.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited on-site rental for kiteboarding; most riders bring their own gear. Surfboards can occasionally be rented from local kiosks in summer.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage facilities are not standard; most visitors use private accommodation or vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Major gear repairs usually require a trip to larger hubs like Criciúma or Florianópolis.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Local attractions in the surrounding area include viewpoints and coastal dune experiences, with seasonal community life centered on the fishing pier and beachfront gatherings.
Famed for massive dunes, cliffs, and the mouth of the Araranguá River, with panoramic views of the coastline.
A long fishing pier that functions as a central social hub for the local community and traditional rod fishing.
Sandboarding and paragliding activities connected to the nearby dunes at Morro dos Conventos.
Traditional local seafood restaurant known for fresh regional fish dishes.
Features seasonal events, fairs, and playgrounds for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha)?
The best overall months at Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) are April, May, September, October, November, December, January. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha)?
Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) works with NE, S, SW, W winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) suitable for?
Praia do Rincao (Praia da Lagoinha) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.