Praia Grande (Ubatuba)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Grande (Ubatuba) is a popular, exposed beach break in the Ubatuba area, known for consistently working surf with both left and right waves. The break is reported to run across all tides and to hold size well, with moderate wave power and generally good quality peaks. For surf specifically, the most favorable swell directions are reported as South, South-East and East, with typical working swell heights starting under 1 m and holding up to around 2.5 m and beyond. Winter is repeatedly referenced as the optimum season, while the spot is described as active year-round. Standard ride lengths are commonly in the 150–300 m range, with particularly good days extending longer (up to around 500 m is reported). Conditions can become hazardous due to crowds, especially on weekends when swimmers and surfers share the same water space. Rip currents are also highlighted as a key risk near the rocky headlands/ends, where the water can pull out very hard. Submerged rocks at the north and south ends add to the risk profile, so careful positioning and local-zone awareness during peak periods are important. Wind-wise, reports vary by season: one dataset emphasizes winter frontal influence with northwest winds showing up in typical wind-range descriptions, while another describes afternoon sea-breezes from the East/East-South-East/South-East. For kiting, it is treated as a secondary option that can work when East winds align with medium swells, but kitesurfing restrictions are noted during heavily crowded summer swimming periods.
- Exposed beach break with both left and right peaks
- All-tides working waves; commonly 150–300 m rides
- Winter referenced as optimum season for surfing
- Crowds and rip currents near headlands/ends are the main safety concerns
- Consistent beach-break surfing with good wave quality
- Works across all tides; holds size well up to around 2.5 m+
- Strong local infrastructure and accessibility from BR-101
- Very crowded on weekends; can become dangerously crowded
- Rip currents are common near the ends of the beach near rocks
- Submerged rocks near headlands can create hazards
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- Wind Range
- 8–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider also notes winter frontal influence; seasonal patterns vary.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described as light gusts with sea-breeze in warmer months.
- Best Months
- July, August, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rock influence near the ends.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — One provider reports huge wave size; surfing swell window is described as roughly 0.5–2.5 m (and up to 2.5 m+).
- Launch
- Medium — Easy shore access / wide sandy beach; urban kiosks occupy the back of the beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Surf launch described as easy by one provider; wind/water launch can be more challenging at times due to crowds, shore break, and rocks.
Through the year
Weekends: ultra crowded. Extremely crowded from December to February and during all national holidays.
December to March are the rainiest, often with heavy afternoon tropical downpours.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Secondary kitesurfing use when East winds align with medium swells; space can be limited by crowds and kiosks.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Occasionally practiced with strong sea-breeze; waves can make launching challenging for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Foil-friendly due to water depth, but launching/landing can be challenging because of shore break and wave energy.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Listed as foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–6 m²
Exposed urban beach break with multiple peaks; works year-round with winter as the optimum period. Both left and right waves are reported with consistent groundswells and good wave quality across tides.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, SE, SW, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works on all tides (rising and falling).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach exposure with multiple peaks; headlands can influence wind/turbulence locally.
- Wind Effect
- West and South-West winds provide cleaner/offshore conditions; East winds can add chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 2.5 m+ before starting to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling sections are common.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are typically 150 to 300 m; very good days can reach longer runs.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Standard rides are commonly 150-300 m; exceptional days can extend up to around 500 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia Grande (Ubatuba) in the full forecast view.
Praia Grande (Ubatuba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- S169°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Praia Grande (Ubatuba) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.8–2.1 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
- heavy crowds
- crowds can make conditions dangerous
- submerged rocks near the ends/headlands
- shore break
- current near the rocks pulls out very hard at the ends of the beach
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguards described as seasonal in one provider; another notes year-round presence along the beach (GBMar).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue availability is listed as yes; regional context notes limited rescue outside peak periods.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard stations distributed along the beach (GBMar); local emergency services respond.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is reported; also described as a democratic spot for sharing waves.
Rules of the spot
Designated surfing zones exist during peak periods; respect local right-of-way in the water.
- Kitesurfing is restricted in heavily crowded swimming areas during peak summer months.
- Be especially careful around the ends of the beach near rocks where the water pulls out very hard.
- Weekends can become ultra crowded; watch for swimmers and follow designated surfing zones during peak times.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- São José dos Campos
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Airport
- São José dos Campos Airport (SJK) ~130 km; São Paulo/Guarulhos International (GRU) ~200 km.
- Parking
- Available along BR-101 / the beach road, though it can fill quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Regular intercity bus services to coastal towns, plus local buses along the coastline.
- Access
- Easy access via Rodovia Rio-Santos (BR-101), instant access from the road (<5 min walk).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, pousadas, and vacation rentals directly across from the beach and throughout Ubatuba.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple beach kiosks (quiosques) along the shoreline offering food and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is referenced as widely available around Praia Grande for surfing/related beach boards.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf schools and beachfront accommodations offer storage; gear storage is also available at many beachfront locations.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services referenced in Ubatuba for surf gear.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ubatuba combines urban beachfront activity with Atlantic Forest nature close to the coast. Visitors can pair surf days with museum and conservation visits as well as coastal hiking and boat trips.
Largest surf museum in Brazil.
Protected Atlantic rainforest with hiking trails.
Historic 19th-century building used for art exhibitions and cultural events.
Historic church and colonial architecture in Ubatuba center.
Scenic hiking trail connecting seven beaches through the Atlantic Forest.
Boat tours to Ilhabela and nearby islands.
Seafood and Brazilian cuisine in beachfront and city-center areas.
Sea turtle conservation center with educational exhibits.
Shows local marine biodiversity.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Praia Grande (Ubatuba)?
The best overall months at Praia Grande (Ubatuba) are June, July, August. The best wind months are July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Praia Grande (Ubatuba)?
Praia Grande (Ubatuba) works with E, ESE, SE, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Praia Grande (Ubatuba)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Praia Grande (Ubatuba): Kitesurfing: 10–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 8–18 kts.
What skill level is Praia Grande (Ubatuba) suitable for?
Praia Grande (Ubatuba) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.