Ipanema • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (April - August)

The South Atlantic storm track wakes up through autumn and winter, and Ipanema's south-facing stretch of sand is right in the firing line. Average surf height climbs from 1.1m (3-4ft) in December to 1.4-1.5m (4-6ft) between April and August, and average wave periods lengthen from around 9.5s into the 10.6-11.1s range. This is a different wave entirely - more organized, more powerful and far better suited to Ipanema's banks. Cold fronts sweeping up from the Argentine coast generate consistent S/SSW groundswell, while post-frontal high pressure delivers N/NNE offshore winds. The wind is ideal around 52-61 percent of the time during these months, with June and July offering the most clean, offshore mornings of the year.

Fair Surf Season (March, September - November)

These shoulder months are the transition windows. March still carries summer warmth and rainfall, but the first true S swells of the season begin to fill in with periods pushing into the 10.4s range. September through November, on the other hand, often has size - September averages 1.5m (4-6ft) - but the South Atlantic high re-strengthens and sends persistent E/ENE trade winds across the beach. Ideal offshore wind percentages drop to 43-48 percent in October and November, so the surf becomes more morning-dependent and more chopped up by onshore flow by midday.

Low Surf Season (December - February)

Midsummer in Rio is all about small, punchy beachbreak and afternoon thunderstorms. Average heights sit near 1.1m (3-4ft), average wave periods stay in the 9.5-9.8s range, and the swell spectrum fills with shorter-period ESE/SE trade wind waves rather than true S groundswell. Ipanema still gets rideable waves, especially when a rogue S swell lines up with a pre-frontal N/NNW offshore flow, but the power and consistency simply are not there compared with the autumn and winter months.