Praia Tenorio
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Tenorio is an urban, fairly exposed beach break in Ubatuba that’s most valued for winter surfing. The strongest days tend to line up with a South (or Southeast) groundswell, while the north wind can act offshore to help groom the waves. The beach is only about 500 meters long and the wave setup is concentrated near the right-hand corner by the rocky areas, which is often where the most organized waves appear. Surf quality is described as excellent on classic days, with peeling right-hand waves that can be powerful. However, consistency is not guaranteed overall: multiple sources emphasize that the spot can be hit-or-miss and that conditions need to align. Ride lengths are typically short to medium, and when swell becomes too large (reported around above 2 meters), the waves can close out on the sandbar. Crowds and safety management are important here. The beach can become very crowded in summer and during public holidays, and there are rocks at both ends associated with dangerous currents. Rip currents are reported as common near the rocky points, and surfing is restricted in high-density areas for safety—so it’s important to respect the designated swimming zones. Wind at the spot is not reliably strong for kitesurfing/windsurfing; north wind is mentioned for its surfing alignment, and a sea-breeze component is also reported, but both sources describe overall wind reliability as low. If you’re planning foil sessions, wingfoiling is described as rare and limited due to wind strength and swimmer density, even though the bay can sometimes offer calmer water for light-wind riding.
- Winter-consistent beach break with peeling right-hand waves
- North wind typically offshore for surf grooming
- Organized waves often found near the right-side corner by the rocks
- Consistent winter surf with potential for strong right-handers
- North wind can be offshore for grooming surf
- Good on-site basics (showers/toilets) and central/urban access
- Low wind reliability for wind sports (when wind is needed)
- Rip currents and rocky points at both ends can be hazardous
- Can get extremely crowded (especially summer and public holidays)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — North-facing winter/front influence reported; north wind is also described as offshore for surfing.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusting reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- High hills around the bay can block winds from many directions, especially westerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized surf reported; strong days can produce powerful waves.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy conditions can occur with onshore (South) winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach length reported as approximately 500 meters with soft sand.
Through the year
Extremely crowded during summer (December–February) and public holidays; moderately crowded on winter weekends; quiet on winter weekdays.
December to March are the rainiest, often with heavy afternoon thunderstorms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Rarely practiced due to high swimmer density and limited wind, but the bay can offer calm waters for light-wind foil sessions.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Fairly exposed beach break in winter with fairly consistent surf; can produce some of the best waves in Ubatuba when conditions align (notably South/Southeast swell with north offshore wind). The most organized waves are often in the right corner near the rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred (reported).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed; sheltered/semi-sheltered classification varies by source.
- Wind Effect
- North wind is offshore and grooms waves; South wind turns onshore and can create choppy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Tends to close out when swell exceeds 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality described as excellent by one source; another rates it as average.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Overall described as powerful on classic days; another source rates wave power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand corner described as most organized/consistent.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short to medium rides before closing out on the sandbar; another source characterizes rides as short to medium.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically provide short to medium rides before closing out on the sandbar.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Praia Tenorio in the full forecast view.
Praia Tenorio wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- S170°
- 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 Tenorio 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
- Rocks at both ends of the beach (especially near rocky points) can be dangerous due to currents
- Rip currents are common near the rocky points
- Heavy crowds of swimmers and families
- Occasional jellyfish
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard services reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital: Santa Casa de Ubatuba (city center). Emergency numbers reported for the region: 193 (fire/rescue) and 192 (medical/ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported by one source; another source describes localism as none.
Rules of the spot
Pedestrian-only entry through the condominium gate; surf etiquette applies and be mindful of designated swimming areas during high season.
- Surfing among swimmers is restricted in high-density areas for safety.
- The right side of the beach (facing the ocean) usually holds the swell better.
- Arrive early in the morning during summer to avoid crowds and find parking.
- Check the South swell forecast; the beach is somewhat protected from North swells.
- Follow designated swimming areas during high season.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Airport
- São José dos Campos Airport (SJK) ~130 km; São Paulo/Guarulhos International (GRU) ~200 km.
- Parking
- Paid parking (Blue Zone) is available along access roads but fills up quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Regular intercity bus services from the São Paulo region to coastal towns, plus local buses along the coastline.
- Access
- Urban road access via the Tenorio neighborhood; pedestrian entry through the condominium gate or from the left-side entrance before the small hill separating Tenorio from Vermelha do Centro.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and holiday rentals are located within walking distance in the Tenório and Itaguá neighborhoods.
- Food & Drink
- Local food stalls/kiosks along the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some beach kiosks and nearby surf shops in the Itaguá area offer surfboard rentals; surf schools also reference rentals regionally.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf schools and accommodations offer storage; also available at many beachfront accommodations and rental shops.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services available in central Ubatuba surf shops.
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 Tenorio?
The best overall months at Praia Tenorio are June, July, August. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Praia Tenorio?
Praia Tenorio works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Praia Tenorio?
Recommended equipment sizes at Praia Tenorio: Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 5–15 kts.
What skill level is Praia Tenorio suitable for?
Praia Tenorio suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.