Ferrugem - surf spot statistics

Ferrugem in Brazil offers consistent surf year-round, but the best conditions typically occur between May and September. During these months, the swell is predominantly groundswell (peaking at 42% in May and June), which provides cleaner, more powerful waves compared to the windswell-dominated conditions in other months. Mean swell size also increases slightly, averaging around 1.6-1.7m, with May to August delivering the most reliable wave heights. Wind conditions, however, remain challenging throughout the year, with bad winds (onshore or cross-shore) dominating over 70% of the time. The least unfavorable winds occur from May to July (25-26% good wind days), though even then, clean conditions are relatively rare. September stands out with the largest average swell size (1.9m) but suffers from the worst wind conditions (only 14% good wind days). From October to April, the surf is smaller and more windswell-driven, with January, February, and December showing the weakest groundswell influence (16-19%) and the highest frequency of poor winds (79-87%). Overall, mid-year (May-August) provides the best compromise between swell quality and size, though surfers should be prepared for frequent onshore winds. Early mornings or sessions following wind shifts may offer brief clean conditions, but consistent offshore breezes are rare at this spot.

In March, Ferrugem offers moderately consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.5m and a decent period of 9.3s, providing well-formed waves suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. The dominant swell directions are from the southeast to south, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1-2.5m) coming from the ESE, SE, SSE, and S, ensuring decent energy and shape. However, wind conditions are less ideal, with only 21% of days offering favorable offshore or light winds—typically from the west to north-northwest directions. Unfortunately, northerly and easterly winds are more common, which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. Expect around 30-40% of days with waves in the 1.5-2.5m range, delivering powerful but somewhat wind-affected sessions. March is a decent month for surf, though patience is needed for cleaner conditions.