Saco da Mãe

Surfing
Longboard, Beginners
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Small waves, Ocean
Spot Type
Quiet
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Saco da Mãe is a low-profile beach break on the northern coast of Ubatuba, known for rarely crowded conditions. The spot is described as small and consistent rather than powerful, making it well-suited for surfers looking for a quiet, natural setting and short, fun rides. For surfing, the break is a beach-break that tends to work best with an East to Southeast swell and is described as soft with a mushy wave shape. Typical rides are short and often end quickly on the sand, with wave quality characterized as average. The spot is also described as semi-sheltered and calmer than more exposed alternatives nearby, though rocks on the ends and near the edges add practical risk. Seasonally, July is highlighted as the best month for surfing consistency, with strong frequency of small wave days reported in spot guides. The wind description for the spot points to East to East-Southeast sea-breeze influence, with a typical range around 8–15 knots; reliability is noted as low and surrounding hills/cliffs can create a wind shadow. Safety-wise, the key concerns are the rocky edges (including submerged rocks), the isolated access, and the absence of lifeguards. Current guidance also notes that mild rip currents can occur near rocky edges, so surfers should plan carefully, bring essentials (no on-site facilities), and use appropriate personal safety gear such as a leash.

  • Rarely crowded beach break
  • Best month for consistent small waves: July
  • Sea-breeze influenced winds (East to East-Southeast) with a wind shadow from surrounding terrain
  • Quiet, secluded feel with natural beach-and-rock edges
Great for
Surfing longboardBeginners
What's great
  • Rarely crowded
  • Quiet, secluded natural setting
  • Good peace-and-quiet option for small, fun waves
  • Best surf conditions commonly fall in July for consistency
Heads up
  • Small, limited wave heights most of the time
  • Wind reliability is low
  • Rocks and submerged hazards near the edges
  • No lifeguards and limited spot-level rescue availability
  • Limited access and no on-site vendors/facilities
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE
Offshore directions
W, NW
Wind Range
8–15 kts
Wind Type
Sea breeze — Sea-breeze conditions are typical around the northern Ubatuba coast, and the spot is described as having sea-breeze wind.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Gusts described as light.
Best Months
June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Significant wind shadow from surrounding hills and cliffs.

Water & beach

Water Type
Small waves, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand beach.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Small waves dominate; spot guides report very high frequency of small surf.
Launch
Small — Small sandy beach surrounded by rocks and dense vegetation.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
20–26 °C
Water Temperature
16–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 2mm springsuit or top is usually sufficient in winterboardshorts or bikinis in summer.
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded throughout the year due to limited access.

Storm/Rain Season

December to March experiences the highest rainfall.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Low-profile, quiet beach break with small, consistent waves when the swell is right.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
E, ESE
Swell Height
0.5–1.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Optimal tide described as mid.
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Described as more sheltered and smaller than nearby options.
Wind Effect
Works best with West or Northwest winds (described as offshore).
Bigger Swell
Closes out when the swell exceeds 1.5 meters.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality described as average.
Wave Power
Soft — Generally small, soft waves.
Wave Shape
Mushy — Mushy wave shape.
Peel Speed
Slow — Described as peeling slowly.
Ride Length
Short — Short, fun waves; rides often end quickly on the sand.
Ride Length Details
Short rides that often end quickly on the sand.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Saco da Mãe in the full forecast view.

Saco da Mãe 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
0.7–1.7 m8s period
Temperature
18–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Saco da Mãe 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 0.7–1.7 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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 the ends of the beach
  • Submerged rocks near the edges
  • Isolated location
  • No lifeguards
  • Mild rip currents possible near the rocky edges
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Leash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level information indicates no rescue availability.
Emergency Info
Santa Casa de Ubatuba is the primary hospital. Emergency services: 193 (Fire/Rescue) and 192 (Ambulance).
Localism / Vibe
None — No localism friction indicated for this spot.

Rules of the spot

Local Tips
  • Access is via a trail from the southern end of Vermelha do Norte beach.
  • Bring your own water and supplies as there are no facilities.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Ubatuba
Nearest Town
Ubatuba
Parking
Park at Vermelha do Norte and hike to the spot.
Access
Access is primarily by boat or a coastal trail starting from the southern end of Praia Vermelha do Norte.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Portuguese
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Various guesthouses and hotels located in Ubatuba and near Itamambuca.
Food & Drink
No vendors on-site; carry your own supplies.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: April to October offers the best balance of sunny days, comfortable temperatures, and water-sports conditions.
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Saco da Mãe?

The best overall months at Saco da Mãe are June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Saco da Mãe?

Saco da Mãe works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.

What skill level is Saco da Mãe suitable for?

Saco da Mãe suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.