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.

January at Praia da Cal offers decent surfing conditions with an average swell height of 1.4m and a solid period of 8.3s, which should provide well-shaped, rideable waves. The swell is primarily from the easterly directions (E, ENE, ESE, SE), with the most consistent waves in the 1-1.5m and 1.5-2m ranges, suggesting a mix of mid-sized and occasionally larger sets. However, wind conditions can be inconsistent—only 22% of the time are they ideal for surfing, typically when lighter winds from the east or southeast prevail. Stronger winds from the NE and ENE may create choppier conditions, especially when speeds exceed 20kph. Surfers should target periods when the swell aligns with lighter winds for cleaner waves, but be prepared for variability due to the higher frequency of moderate to strong onshore winds. Overall, it's a solid but not outstanding month, requiring some patience to score the best sessions.