Praia da Saudade - surf spot statistics

Praia da Saudade in Brazil is primarily a windswell-dominated spot, with ground swells making up a smaller portion of the swell mix. The best months for surfing here are generally from May to September, when there’s a higher percentage of ground swell (peaking at 24% in May) and slightly better wind conditions. However, the mean swell size remains modest throughout the year, averaging around 0.7m to 0.9m, which suggests smaller, more forgiving waves suited for beginners or longboarders rather than powerful, hollow breaks. Wind conditions are consistently challenging, with bad winds (onshore or cross-shore) dominating 70% to 80% of the time across all months, though June stands out as having the most favorable wind conditions (32% good winds). Overall, the surf here is best when local windswell combines with occasional ground swell, particularly in late autumn and early winter (May-June), but surfers should expect variable wind quality and mostly small to medium-sized waves year-round. If clean conditions align, mid-year offers the most reliable opportunities, but it’s not a high-performance spot.

In August, Praia da Saudade offers generally small but surfable conditions with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 8.8s, suggesting moderately clean waves. The primary swell direction is easterly (ENE to SE), with the majority of waves falling in the 0.5-1.5m range (E and ESE contributing the most). While larger swells above 2m are rare (mostly ESE), the consistency of waist- to chest-high waves makes it suitable for longboarding or relaxed surfing, though advanced surfers may find it underwhelming. Wind conditions are mixed—27% of the time, winds are ideal (likely light offshore or sideshore from W/NW), but moderate onshore winds from NE/SE can create chop. Expect the best sessions early mornings when winds are lighter. Overall, August isn’t a high-performance month here, but it’s a reliable option for mellow surfing with occasional cleaner days.