Praia da Macumba - surf spot statistics

Praia da Macumba in Brazil offers varying surf conditions throughout the year, influenced by swell type, wind quality, and wave size. The best months for surfing are typically from March to July, when ground swells dominate, providing cleaner and more consistent waves. March marks the transition, with 46% ground swells and 29% good wind days, improving further in April and May, where ground swells rise to 52-59% and swell size averages 1.6-1.7m. June and July maintain solid ground swell presence (58-50%) and decent wind conditions (30-25% good winds), with consistent 1.7m waves. Outside this window, wind swells prevail, particularly from September to December, leading to choppier conditions due to higher bad wind rates (80-86%) despite larger swell sizes (up to 1.8m). January and February are transitional, with wind swell dominating (70-63%), but February shows a promising increase in ground swell (36%) for early-season surfers. For optimal surfing, target April-July when ground swells peak, winds are less disruptive, and wave size remains consistently rideable.

April at Praia da Macumba offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.6m and a solid period of 10.7s, indicating consistent, well-formed waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the south and southeast, with the best quality arriving from S (29.2% of waves in the 1-2.5m range) and SSE (18.1% in the same range), providing decent power and shape. Smaller but cleaner conditions occur with ESE/SE swells, though less frequently. Wind is a limiting factor, with only 27% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore conditions (typically from the west or northwest). However, ENE to SE winds prevail (often 10-30kph), which can create onshore choppiness, particularly in the afternoons. The spot handles larger swells well, with 5.5% of S/SSW swells exceeding 2.5m, appealing to advanced surfers. For optimal sessions, target mornings when winds are lighter and swells from S/SSE align best with the beach’s orientation. Mid-sized days (1.5-2m) are most frequent, offering a balance of power and manageable conditions.