Camacho - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (April - August)

Camacho springs to life during the austral autumn and winter as the South Atlantic storm track shifts northward, driving powerful long-period swell directly into the southeast-facing beach. From April through August, the combination of consistent S to SSE groundswell and frequent offshore winds from the north quadrant creates the most reliable surf of the year. Average wave heights hover around 1.7-1.8 m with periods often exceeding 9 seconds, translating to punchy, rippable waves. The percentage of clean wind days peaks in May and June, reaching 34-36%, when the trade winds weaken and cold fronts leave crisp post-frontal northwesterlies in their wake. This is the prime window for charging solid, lined-up sets at Camacho.

Fair Surf Season (March & September - October)

March offers a transitional blend: solid swell from the SSW and SSE directions, with average wave periods climbing to 9.1 seconds, but the wind quality sits at a still-decent 30% ideal. Meanwhile, September and October see a jump in average wave height to 1.8-2.0 m as the first spring storms begin to brew, yet the wind becomes more fickle with only 20% offshore conditions. These months require a flexible schedule—waiting for a strong frontal passage to align the wind with the swell window. When it all comes together, the result is powerful, peeling waves with occasional overhead sets.

Low Surf Season (November - February)

The austral summer months from November through February are generally the quietest at Camacho. The South Atlantic storm track retreats, leading to smaller average swell heights of 1.5-1.6 m and shorter periods in the 8.4-8.5 s range. The dominant swell direction shifts eastward, often producing weaker, less organized waves that struggle to wrap into the beach. While the percentage of offshore wind days sits at a modest 19-30%, the combination of weaker swell and inconsistent wind direction means surfers often encounter choppy, below-par conditions. That said, even in the depths of summer, an occasional strong cold front can sneak in a flash of chest-to-head-high surf—especially in February when the wind is most cooperative.

December: Summer Returns, Smaller Waves

December marks the onset of the Brazilian summer. The average wave height is 1.6 m, period 8.4 s, reflecting the typical low-energy pattern of the season. Swell is dominated by ENE and E directions (40% combined), with a small southerly contribution (S 9.2%, SSE 11.9%). Offshore wind conditions improve slightly to 23% ideal compared to November, because of an increase in N and NNW winds. Still, the dominant wind is from the NE (25.9%), which, while offshore for most spots, often produces choppy conditions at Camacho due to the local topography. The surf is primarily small and fun-sized, ideal for longboards and fish. Dedicated surfers can still find the occasional chest-high wave during a strong cold front, but the consistency is low. December is for relaxing and enjoying the warm water, rather than chasing epic sets.