Tres Marias
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tres Marias is an offshore slab/sandbar surfing break located roughly 5 km from shore. It breaks over an offshore submerged bank/ledge and is described as fast, powerful, and slab-like, producing heavy, high-volume hollow barrels when it’s working. Access is the defining constraint: the spot is boat-access-only (or by personal watercraft such as jet ski), with no shore-based launch area. While you may be able to view the swell from the end of the Molhe Oeste stone barrier on very large days, you still need a boat to actually reach the lineup. Performance is tied closely to swell and offshore conditions. The spot is optimized for south swells, and on the best days it can hold massive size—reported to reach around 5 meters and over—while delivering very long rides (commonly cited in the ~150 to 300 m range) and excellent wave quality. Wind is also critical. Sources indicate South to SouthEast winds as optimal, but conditions are described as extremely sensitive to wind due to the distance from shore, with reported low wind reliability. Because the break is exposed and far offshore, hazards include rocks/submerged rocks, strong currents, and heavy waves; rescue/lifeguard support is not available at the spot, so additional safety planning (e.g., jet ski and spotter) is strongly recommended.
- Fast, powerful slab character
- Hollow barrels and excellent wave quality on south swells
- Long rides (about 150 to 300 m)
- Strict boat-only access keeps crowds empty
- Offshore and fully exposed; wind sensitivity is high
- Epic, very-powerful hollow barrels on appropriate south swells.
- Long rides reported around 150 to 300 m on good days.
- Often empty due to access difficulty.
- Boat/jet-ski access only; no shore-based launch area.
- Low wind reliability and high sensitivity to wind conditions.
- Extreme offshore conditions with strong currents.
- For expert/pro-level surfers only; hesitation is heavily punished by fast, powerful slab waves.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe the wind as mixed; optimal directions are South and SouthEast.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe mixed composition; baseline bottom/surf interaction is sandy.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Huge — Holds up to 5 m and over on working swells.
- Launch
- No shore-based launch area; offshore break reachable only by boat or jet ski.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Offshore access and hazards make this an expert-only launch.
Through the year
Usually empty due to difficulty of access.
Rain is frequent throughout the year, but winter brings more frontal systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Legendary offshore slab break several kilometers from shore that breaks over an offshore submerged bank/ledge and produces heavy, high-volume barrels.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 5 m
- Shelter
- Exposed — Offshore and fully exposed to open-ocean conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Extremely sensitive to wind due to offshore distance; requires clean conditions or light winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Only starts working on substantial swells and can hold massive size (reported to hold up to 5 m and over).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality described as epic/excellent.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Fast, powerful slab.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Waves can peel with very fast breaking characteristics on optimal days.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides reported around 150 to 300 m; typical values cluster near the low/mid 200 m range.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Peels for about 150 to 300 m on optimal days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tres Marias in the full forecast view.
Tres Marias wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–17 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- SE144°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.7 m6s period
- Temperature
- 13–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tres Marias is forecast for daytime winds of 3–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- heavy waves
- submerged rocks
- extreme distance from shore
- strong currents
- marine life
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability is reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest facilities are in Rio Grande, approximately 10–15 km away by boat and car.
Rules of the spot
Respect the extreme conditions; access is strictly by boat or jet ski.
- boat-access-only
- expert-only
- Only for pros or kamikaze chargers—the fast, powerful slab punishes hesitation.
- Boat access only.
- On very large days, the break can be seen from the end of the Molhe Oeste stone barrier.
- Safety support such as a jet ski and spotter is highly recommended.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Rio Grande
- Nearest Town
- Cassino
- Parking
- Parking available at Molhes da Barra or in Cassino.
- Access
- By boat only; visible from the end tip of the Molhe Oeste (4 km stone barrier) on big days.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and pousadas available in Cassino and Rio Grande.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars are located in Cassino town, not at the spot.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available for this type of specialized surfing.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be available in local surf shops in Rio Grande.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Massive stone jetties protecting the port entrance, known for views of sea lions and the meeting of lagoon and ocean.
Colonial-era architecture and the Oceanographic Museum, described as the oldest city in the state.
Known as the longest beach in the world; popular for off-road driving and long-distance downwinders.
A local hub for traditional seafood and regional Gaucho cuisine.
A major oceanographic museum with extensive marine life exhibits.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tres Marias?
The best overall months at Tres Marias are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Tres Marias?
Tres Marias works with S, SE winds.
What skill level is Tres Marias suitable for?
Tres Marias suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.