Praia do Tombo (Guarujá)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Tombo is an exposed sandy beach break in Guarujá known for very consistent surf and short, fast waves that can develop hollow sections. It’s described as holding up to around 3m+ on larger days, but the same conditions can make the shorebreak heavy and challenging, with wave energy pushing riders to close out nearer the beach. Wave quality is reported as good to excellent, with a “regional classic” reputation and both lefts and rights. Optimal swell is consistently described as coming from the south to southeast/east, with the spot starting to work around 1.0–1.5m and generally performing best through the colder season. Ride lengths are typically short (often under 50m), though good days can extend into longer runs. Crowding and lineup dynamics matter: weekends are frequently busy, and localism is noted as a factor when conditions are good—so following local etiquette and respecting right-of-way is important. Safety-wise, the most emphasized concerns are water quality (noted as poor/polluted by one source) and the strong rip-current/shorebreak risk profile, especially on bigger swells. For comfort, recommendations center on warmer-water season behavior versus cooler winter months, and the most consistently favorable conditions cluster around May through August (winter). Overall, it’s a reliable urban surfing destination with frequent surf culture and well-developed access/amenities.
- Very consistent beach break
- Hollow/fast-peeling wave character
- Offshore grooming with West/Northwest winds
- Best conditions typically in May–August
- Very consistent sandy beach break
- Offshore West/Northwest winds help groom waves
- Works across multiple tides
- Short, fast, hollow/peeling wave character with good quality
- Strong winter swell window (May–August) for best conditions
- Pollution/water quality concerns
- Heavy shorebreak
- Strong rip currents are common, especially on bigger swell days
- Crowded weekends and a competitive/local peak
- Sometimes low wind reliability for windless days (where relevant)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW, N
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind regime reported with offshore NW component; also described as frontal in some conditions by another provider.
- Reliability
- Low (one source), while another reports high frequency/consistency (150 days/year).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported; one source also describes strong winds as low reliability overall.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Buildings and higher terrain behind the beach can create turbulence with land-breeze transitions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small in one overview; operationally starts at about 1.0–1.5m and can build to 3m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Heavy shorebreak is reported; turbulence possible around land-breeze transitions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy access with sections described as having a relatively steep slope in some areas.
Through the year
Weekends crowded; summer also described as extremely crowded (December to February).
December to March (rainy season) with heavy late-afternoon thunderstorms reported regionally.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed sandy beach break with short, fast, and often hollow waves. Works at multiple tides with the most consistent conditions in the May–August winter season window.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also reported as working across low/mid and with rising/falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed setup with no shelter; shorebreak can be heavy.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore West/Northwest winds are reported to groom waves into cleaner, barrel-forming faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 3m+, but becomes very heavy/challenging and can close out near shore due to strong shorebreak.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Reported as good to excellent; described as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate to powerful depending on conditions; one source describes powerful hollow waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow/peeling character described; another source notes peeling and fast sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast-peeling reported; often tight/quick sections.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal length under 50m, with good days sometimes extending to roughly 50–150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length typically short (<50m); good conditions can give about 50–150m rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) in the full forecast view.
Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- SE144°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.3 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.8–2.3 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
- pollution
- localism
- strong rip currents
- heavy shorebreak
- crowded peak
- occasional debris during heavy rains
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal; another source also lists none.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Brazil emergency numbers include 193 (fire department/life rescue) and 192 (medical emergencies/SAMU).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is noted as a potential factor when it is good; respect locals in the water.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and general surfing etiquette; be especially mindful in crowded conditions.
- Weekends are crowded; weekdays tend to have fewer surfers.
- Water quality is poor/polluted here—take precautions.
- Check for rip-current warning flags because the ocean can be deceptive.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Guarujá
- Nearest Town
- Guarujá
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach; street parking along the beachfront fills up quickly on weekends and holidays.
- Access
- Drive via Piassaguera highway to Guarujá; continue to the Pitangueiras area, then turn right onto Ocean Avenue and drive about 5–10 minutes to the shore for instant access (< 5 min walk).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, pousadas, and vacation rentals are available within walking distance in the Tombo and Asturias neighborhoods.
- Food & Drink
- Kiosks and restaurants line the boardwalk, with local seafood and snacks reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf equipment rental is available at local surf shops and some kiosks on/near the sand.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services are available via local surf shops in Guarujá.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Praia do Tombo (Guarujá)?
The best overall months at Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Praia do Tombo (Guarujá)?
Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) works with N winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW, N.
What skill level is Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) suitable for?
Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.