Praia da Cal - surf spot statistics

Praia da Cal in Brazil offers moderately consistent surf conditions year-round, though the best months for surfers typically align with cleaner ground swells and more favorable winds. The swell data shows a dominance of wind swells throughout the year, but ground swells see a notable increase from March to August, peaking in May and June at 38%. During these months, the mean swell size remains steady around 1.5m, providing decent wave energy without being overly large. Wind conditions are less than ideal overall, with the highest chance of good winds occurring from May to July (28-29% favorable). However, even then, bad winds prevail 70-72% of the time, which can create choppy conditions. The swell size gradually increases from late summer into early autumn (September peaks at 1.7m), but wind conditions deteriorate significantly, with September to November seeing the worst wind ratios. December through February bring smaller swells (1.3-1.4m) and the highest wind swell influence (85-87%), making these months less desirable for quality waves. For surfers prioritizing cleaner waves, the window from April to August offers the best balance of ground swell presence and slightly improved wind chances, though offshore breezes remain rare. July and August stand out with decent ground swell persistence (26-30%) and manageable swell sizes (1.5-1.6m), but persistent onshore winds can still be an issue. Ultimately, mid-year months provide the most reliable surf, even if conditions aren't perfect, while the rest of the year tends to be either too windswell-dependent or plagued by poor winds.

February at Praia da Cal offers moderately consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.3m and a decent period of 8.5s, providing fairly clean and organized waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the ESE to SSE, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1–2.5m) coming from these directions. The ENE and E swells also contribute, though less frequently. Wind conditions are a mixed bag; offshore or light cross-shore winds (ideal for surfing) occur only 24% of the time. The predominant winds are from the NE to ENE, often blowing in the 10–30kph range, which can create choppy conditions, especially when combined with stronger gusts. Surfers should target days when winds swing more easterly or even light northerly for cleaner faces. Overall, February delivers workable waves for intermediate surfers, but patience and timing are key to scoring the best sessions when wind and swell align. Expect mostly waist- to head-high waves, with occasional overhead sets on favorable days.