Map
Palmeira
Today's Surf Conditions at Palmeira
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Just south of the harbor, Palmeira serves as a quiet escape from the bustling lineups of nearby breaks, offering a more solitary session when the more famous spots—like Santa Maria—aren't delivering. A 35-minute drive south from Santa Maria makes it a worthy alternative when you need a change of pace or simply want to stretch your legs and explore a different wave. The wave itself is a left-hander breaking over an uneven, jagged reef. It comes to life with swell starting around 2 feet (0.6 meters) and can handle a range of sizes. The ideal swell direction is northwest, though a northeast pulse can also sneak in and produce rideable waves. For the best shape and manageability, aim for low to mid tide, but high tide also offers workable conditions. When the wind blows from the east, the surface cleans up nicely, giving you a more polished canvas for your turns. This is a spot built for intermediate surfers—be sure to bring some experience and a respect for the reef before you paddle out. Consistency is a strong suit here; Palmeira provides a solid number of surfable days throughout the year, making it a reliable fallback when other locations go flat. For those keen on exploration, a couple of additional reef breaks sit off the southern headland, adding variety and a sense of discovery to your session. While Palmeira may not boast the epic scale of a world-class wave, it’s a welcome option—well worth checking out when you’re in the neighborhood and hungry for a quieter, more intimate surf experience.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic awakens in autumn, and from October through March, Palmeira sees its most consistent and powerful swell. Average wave heights hover between 2.0m and 2.3m, with long-period groundswells of 11-12 seconds arriving from the north-northwest to northwest corridors. While the dominant swell direction is from the north (N, NNE, NNW), the occasional pulse from NW or NNW wraps into the west-northwest-facing bay, offering critical, punchy surf. However, the trades blow relentlessly from the northeast, and offshore winds from the west (W, WSW, SW, SSW) are a rare commodity—occurring only 4-17% of the time. When a high-pressure system sets up favorably and a cold front passes, the stars align: a W or SW breeze cleans up the faces, and you get that elusive, glassy session on a solid 2m swell. This is the window to chase.
Fair Surf Season (April - September)
As the Atlantic storm track shifts north, the swell machine slows down. From April through September, average wave heights drop to 1.4-2.0m and periods shorten to 8-10 seconds, signaling a transition to smaller, more windswell-driven conditions. The swell direction remains locked in from the north (N, NNE), which isn't ideal for the WNW-facing beach—waves arrive on a poor angle and often lack the power to wrap in cleanly. On the flip side, the trade winds weaken slightly, and the percentage of offshore flow (W, WSW, SW, SSW) jumps considerably, especially from July to September (24-30% of the time). This means you can score fun-sized, rippable waves when a weak groundswell coincides with a westerly breeze—conditions that are far more user-friendly than winter's gnarly combo of big swell and strong trades.
Low Surf Season (May - June)
May and June represent the absolute trough of the year. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.5-1.8m, periods crater to 7.9-8.7 seconds, and the swell direction is overwhelmingly from the NNE (72-84% of all waves). This angle barely registers at the Palmeira sandbar, resulting in short-period, choppy, and weak surf. Offshore wind chances are also low (2-7%), meaning the trades usually add a lumpy texture. It's a period best reserved for travel elsewhere or for dedicated longboarders content with micro, groveling waves. If you must be in the water, stick to a high-volume board and manage expectations.
Detailed Surf Information for Palmeira
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Palmeira with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.