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.

May at Ferrugem offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.7m and a solid 10.0s period, providing well-organized waves. The swell is predominantly from the S-SSE-SE-ESE-E quadrants, with the highest frequency (over 35% combined) in the 1-2.5m range. This direction favors the spot's setup, delivering clean, rideable waves. Wind is ideal for surfing 25% of the time, mostly light (0-20kph) and variable, though northerlies (N-NNE) can bring stronger onshore gusts (20-40kph) that may disrupt conditions. The best days come when wind stays light E-ESE or switches offshore (WNW-NNW), aligning with mid-period SSE-S swells for peak performance. Expect a mix of shoulder-high to slightly overhead waves, with the biggest sets (2.5m+) occurring occasionally on southerly swells. Advanced surfers will find the most opportunities, particularly on SE-SSE swells with lighter winds.