Sununga (Ubatuba)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Chop
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Sununga (Ubatuba) is a small sandy beach break known for producing a highly distinctive right-hand wedge wave. The wave’s physics are tied to the granite rock bordering the beach, where backwash/sidewash reflects to create extremely hollow, powerful surf. This makes Sununga a legendary destination for expert surfers seeking an intense, high-performance wedge rather than mellow beach surfing. Wave activity is described as starting work around 1.0–1.5 m and holding up to about 2.5 m or more, with a very short ride length (typically under 50 m; one source narrows this to roughly 20–40 m). The break is exposed and can become especially dangerous when shorebreak/backwash intensifies. The wave quality is repeatedly characterized as hollow and powerful, and one provider notes a “regional classic” level of quality. Wind is most favorable when NorthWest winds blow offshore (often aligning with the NW direction noted by sources). Wind reliability is reported as low in one provider, and there can be notable wind shadow from surrounding hills/cliffs. Seasonal timing for better surfing conditions is described mainly for June through September, with additional provider-level seasonality indicating May through September. Safety is a central concern: strong rips/currents, rocks, and heavy shorebreak/backwash are consistently cited hazards, and at least one source frames the spot as Pro or kamikaze only. If attempting, prioritize timing (especially backwash timing), wear protective gear (helmet and impact protection are recommended; wetsuit usage is commonly noted), and avoid riding if you are not comfortable with heavy shorebreak and close-to-rock conditions.
- Granite-bordered wedge physics create a highly distinctive right-hand wave
- Hollow and powerful surf with waves starting ~1.0–1.5 m and holding to 2.5 m+
- Best wind setup is offshore NorthWest
- Expert-only due to strong rips and heavy shorebreak
- Unique, world-class hollow right-hand wedge wave formed by granite reflection
- Great power and distinct wave shape for expert riders
- Works from around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to 2.5 m+
- Offshore NW winds can produce clean conditions
- Extreme surf intensity and very short, intense rides
- Strong rips/backwash and heavy shorebreak
- Rocks and rock walls nearby increase injury risk
- Expert-level only; very unforgiving conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sources describe offshore NorthWest winds; regional context notes thermal/sea-breeze influence (often afternoon), but spot-level wind type is not consistently specified by all providers.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting noted by one provider.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Heavy wind shadow from surrounding hills and cliffs.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with granite/rock influence on wave formation.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — One physical summary labels wave size as small, while the surfing spec indicates working around 1.0–2.5 m.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — One source reports chop; detailed chop level not consistently quantified.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (<5 min walk) from the road; narrow beach bordered by steep rock walls.
Through the year
Can be very crowded on weekends and during skimboarding competitions; quieter on weekdays.
Summer (December to March) is the rainy season with frequent tropical downpours.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sununga is a high-performance right-hand beach break where backwash/sidewash reflects off granite rock to form a massive wedge. Waves are extremely intense, very hollow, and can become dangerous as shorebreak intensifies.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Some sources specify best around low tide; another provider lists optimal tide as high, so tide choice appears location/timing sensitive.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed surf; one source describes semi-sheltered—conditions likely vary with wind/swell direction and rock position.
- Wind Effect
- Best with NW offshore winds for clean wedge/offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size (up to 2.5 m+), but becomes extremely dangerous as shorebreak intensifies.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as hollow and powerful with strong, distinct wave shape; quality characterized as excellent/regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as powerful/very powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Extremely hollow wedge.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peel speed repeatedly mentioned.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal length short; often ends quickly after takeoff.
- Typical Ride Length
- 20–40 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short ride length; sources indicate under 50 m, and often 20–40 m with extremely short and intense waves.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sununga (Ubatuba) in the full forecast view.
Sununga (Ubatuba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–8 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- SSE157°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Sununga (Ubatuba) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.6–1.8 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
- strong rips
- rocks
- heavy shorebreak
- powerful backwash
- impact with sand
- proximity to rock walls
- strong currents
- submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — One provider reports no lifeguards; another notes seasonal lifeguard presence.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as no by providers; regional context indicates limited rescue overall.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are located in central Ubatuba, approximately 15 km away.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source indicates no localism; another indicates moderate localism due to skimboarder impact zone.
Rules of the spot
Pro or kamikaze only due to powerful, hollow waves.
- Extreme conditions; only experienced riders should attempt.
- Watch for strong rips; works best in offshore winds from the northwest.
- Works best around low tide.
- Watch the backwash timing carefully before paddling out.
- Most riders use the rock reflect technique to catch the wedge.
- Do not attempt to ride here if you are not comfortable with heavy shorebreak.
- The right-side of the beach is bordered by a large granite slab that creates the wedge/unique 'sider' wave for skimboarders.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Parking
- Roadside parking available near the inconspicuous sign labeled 'Praia da Sununga' on the highway side; limited parking near beach access trails.
- Access
- Accessible by road via the BR-101 highway, turning off towards Praia do Lázaro; instant access from the road/walk under 5 minutes.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous pousadas and holiday rentals in the adjacent Lázaro and Saco da Ribeira areas (nearby).
- Food & Drink
- Small kiosks and bars are located directly on/near the beach, with additional options in Lázaro.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized wind/kite gear is less common; surfboards/SUP are commonly available for rent via the broader local network (regional context).
- Gear Storage
- Limited specialized storage via local surf schools or some private pousadas (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Minor board repair available via workshops in the Ubatuba area (regional context).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ubatuba is a major coastal tourism hub with lush Atlantic Forest and many beaches; the southern sector includes a mix of calm bays and more extreme wave areas like Sununga.
Sea turtle conservation center with educational exhibits and live turtle viewings.
Local aquarium showcasing regional marine biodiversity, including sharks and penguins.
Historical pier area in the city center reflecting maritime heritage.
Scenic coastal hiking trail connecting seven beaches in the southern region.
Cluster of restaurants specializing in fresh seafood near the nautical center.
A very calm, shallow beach ideal for families, adjacent to the Sununga area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Sununga (Ubatuba)?
The best overall months at Sununga (Ubatuba) are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Sununga (Ubatuba)?
Sununga (Ubatuba) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Sununga (Ubatuba) suitable for?
Sununga (Ubatuba) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.