Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Praia do Tabuleiro in Barra Velha is a sandy beach-break surfing spot that offers both left and right waves, with typical sessions suited to beginners and progressing surfers. The wave area starts working at less than 1 meter and can hold up to around 2 meters or more, with wave quality described as good. Riders often find more consistent quality nearer the rocky clusters, while still needing to be careful around the rocks/reef areas. Wind is often trade-influenced, with cleaner conditions commonly when winds are from the west or northwest (offshore for the beach). A sea-breeze pattern is also reported, with afternoon sea breezes ramping up through the day during spring and summer; conditions are described as moderately reliable, with light gusts. For surf, East/Southeast swells are generally the most consistent, aligning with the beach’s swell responsiveness. Safety is a key factor at Tabuleiro: hazards include exposed and submerged rocks/reef, and rip currents can be present near rocky points. Localism is reported as mild overall but may increase during peak swells and crowd periods. The spot is noted as easier to access (walk-in from within Barra Velha), but it can become crowded on weekends—particularly in the summer—so choose timing and positioning carefully around the main peaks. Seasonally, winter (June–September) is highlighted as a strong period for surf, while summer brings higher crowd levels and warmer water. Water temperatures are roughly 16°C to 25°C across the year (coolest in mid-year, warmest in summer), and a 3/2mm wetsuit is recommended from June to October with warmer-season options later. Overall, it’s a local favorite surf option that remains low-profile nationally but gets busy when the season peaks.
- Beginner-friendly sandy beach break with both directions (left/right).
- Offshore W/NW winds improve cleanliness.
- Works under 1 meter and can build to 2+ meters.
- Urban access with amenities nearby.
- Beginner-friendly sandy beach break with both left and right options.
- Works from under 1 meter and can hold up to 2+ meters.
- Urban access and practical amenities nearby; generally a good atmosphere for learning.
- Exposed setup with rocks and reef hazards, especially near rocky clusters.
- Rip currents can be present near rocky points.
- Weekend crowding during summer can make sessions busier and increase local pressure.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, NE
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-influenced winds; typically offshore with W/NW flow for cleaner surf.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusts reported; generally not extremely gusty.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rock/reef influence in parts of the lineup.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf described from under 1 meter and commonly holding to around 2m+ in larger sets.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water conditions are described as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy launch with some rocky clusters, particularly toward the northern end.
Through the year
High crowds during December and January; relatively quiet and peaceful during the winter months.
Thunderstorms are frequent in the late afternoons during summer (January–March). June through August can see cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible but not the primary focus; narrow shoreline and nearby surfers/rocks make it challenging. Better conditions are often found elsewhere in the region.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Opportunities when the swell is small, but riders must be cautious of rocks near the northern end.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sandy beach break with both right and left waves. Best quality is often found near the rocks/rocky clusters, while avoiding the hazardous areas.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.3–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide; also noted as best on rising and with mid/high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach setup; exposed overall, though the northern rocky area can provide some local shelter when winds pick up.
- Wind Effect
- West to Northwest winds tend to keep waves cleaner (offshore). East/Southeast winds are more aligned with the onshore direction for surf; wind can affect cleanliness.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out during very large swells over 2.5 meters; also noted to hold up to 2m+ in larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is reported as good, with multiple peaks along the sand.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Reported range includes soft-to-moderate/ordinary power depending on conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed/more peeling on typical sand.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides; can occasionally run longer on better-formed sandbars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is short (< 50 meters). Typical ride length is 30–50 meters, with occasional longer rides on well-formed sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) in the full forecast view.
Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE103°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2611 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 14–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.7–1.4 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Localism during peak swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard services are reported as seasonal, with more coverage during peak summer.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Primary emergency number is 193 (Fire/Rescue) or 192 (Ambulance). Nearest major medical facility is Pronto Atendimento 24h in Barra Velha. Local medical clinics are available in the center of Barra Velha.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is present but generally mild; more noticeable during peak conditions.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local surfers at the main peaks.
- Stay away from the rocks, especially close to rocky areas.
- The northern end near the rocks typically offers more sheltered conditions when the wind picks up.
- Surf on a rising mid-tide.
- Weekends get crowded; expect more pressure around the main peaks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Joinville
- Nearest Town
- Barra Velha
- Parking
- Street parking is available along the beachfront, though it can fill up quickly on summer weekends.
- Access
- Instant access (< 5 min walk) from within the city of Barra Velha.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous pousadas and holiday rentals are located within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several kiosks and restaurants along the boardwalk serve local seafood and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf rentals may be available at local kiosks during the summer season.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated storage; most riders use private accommodation or vehicle storage.
- Gear Repair
- Minor sail and board repairs are available in Barra Velha; specialized kite bladder repair is typically found in nearby areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Barra Velha is a traditional fishing town that becomes a popular summer destination, combining lagoon and ocean environments.
A pedestrian suspension bridge offering views of the lagoon and river mouth.
A historical church reflecting Azorean heritage.
The largest theme park in Latin America is located in nearby Penha.
Calm waters for kayaking, stand-up paddling, and family picnics.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha)?
The best overall months at Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha)?
Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) works with E, ESE, NE winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) suitable for?
Praia do Tabuleiro (Barra Velha) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.