Vermelha do Sul
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Easy
- Launch Difficulty
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Vermelha do Sul is a beach-break surf spot in Ubatuba known for sheltered, bay-like conditions and clear water. Most of the time it can feel calm, but when larger South (and sometimes Southeast) swells wrap into the protected area, it becomes a practical surf refuge—especially when more exposed beaches around Ubatuba are closing out. Wave behavior is strongly shaped by the beach’s shelter: the bay filters and “mellows” energy into manageable waves, and ride lengths tend to be short and softer. During some sessions, when swell and wind align, it can also produce more powerful, hollow waves—while still remaining focused on experienced, high-swell setups. Safety-wise, the main hazard is rock formations at both ends of the beach. Sessions should be planned carefully, and visitors should be prepared for limited/no on-site rescue support. The area is residential and environmentally protected, so noise and litter rules are emphasized, and commercial kiosks/vendors are not permitted on the sand. For planning, the most consistent surfing conditions are during the winter season, with South swells most relevant. Water temperatures are typically warm year-round (cooler in winter mornings), and the beach environment is kiosk-free—so supplies generally need to be brought in by visitors.
- Sheltered refuge during large southern swells
- Rocks at both ends of the beach
- Kiosk-free, residential setting with access via neighborhood streets
- Best consistency in the winter/southern-swell season
- Very sheltered bay that can turn into a strong refuge when other Ubatuba beaches get too big.
- Crystal-clear to clean water with a calmer feel most of the time.
- Kiosk-free beach environment with restrictions that limit commercialization.
- Requires specific large South (or South/Southeast) swell conditions to produce surfable waves.
- Wind shadow from surrounding hills and vegetation makes it unsuitable for wind sports.
- No lifeguards; rescue availability is not indicated at the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow from surrounding hills and dense vegetation makes it unsuitable for wind sports.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Typically small/mellow; can become more powerful with large swell/wind alignment.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access and ample sandy entry area.
Through the year
Very crowded with families and tourists in December and January; quieter during weekdays in the off-season.
December to March often brings heavy afternoon tropical showers.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Vermelha do Sul is primarily a sheltered beach-break that often turns from calm into a surf option during specific large South (and some Southeast) swell setups. It is frequently used as a refuge when more exposed nearby beaches are closing out due to excessive size. With the right swell/wind alignment it can produce powerful, hollow waves, but in many sessions it remains soft, mellow, and beginner-friendly.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Shelter
- Sheltered — A sheltered bay setup; wraps around the headlands into the protected bay, filtering wave energy into manageable waves.
- Wind Effect
- Usually very protected from most winds; works best with light offshore or no wind. A secondary wind note indicates offshore winds from the north-northwest when conditions align.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles large swells well by filtering energy into manageable, smaller waves; acts as a refuge when exposed beaches close out.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Often mellow/soft due to shelter; can be powerful/hollow with good swell and wind alignment.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Sheltered conditions typically produce softer waves; can become more powerful when swells and wind align.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Generally soft/mellow, wrapping into the protected bay; can produce hollow waves with the right alignment.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Most consistent near the center and corners during big swell events; rides are generally mellow.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; consistency improves near the center and corners during big swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, soft rides; most consistent near the center and corners of the beach during big swell events.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vermelha do Sul in the full forecast view.
Vermelha do Sul wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- SSE168°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vermelha do Sul is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.8–1.8 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
- Rocks at the ends of the beach
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
Rules of the spot
The beach is located in a residential and environmentally protected area; respect local noise and litter regulations.
- No commercial kiosks or vendors are permitted on the sand.
- Parking is limited to designated areas along the access roads.
- Check this spot only when the southern swell is too large for the main surfing beaches.
- Parking is restricted to designated areas along the access roads.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ubatuba
- Nearest Town
- Ubatuba
- Parking
- Limited street parking is available within the residential area and can fill quickly during summer and holidays.
- Access
- Access via the residential entrance of the Vermelha do Sul allotment (Loteamento); public access is permitted through neighborhood streets to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — High-end vacation rentals are common in the immediate residential area; hotels are available in nearby Praia do Costa or Ubatuba center.
- Food & Drink
- No kiosks or restaurants on the beach itself; visitors should bring their own supplies or visit nearby beaches.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rental shops on-site; equipment must be brought from central Ubatuba.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vermelha do Sul?
The best overall months at Vermelha do Sul are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
What skill level is Vermelha do Sul suitable for?
Vermelha do Sul suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Expert.