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 February, Praia da Saudade offers small but rideable waves with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 7.5s, providing some energy for surfing. The swell is predominantly from the E and ESE directions, with the majority of waves falling in the 0.5-1.5m range, making it suitable for beginners and intermediates. However, wind conditions are less than ideal—only 26% of the time are winds favorable for surfing, as moderate to strong winds frequently come from the NE, ENE, and SE, potentially creating chop or cross-shore conditions. Surfers should watch for the occasional clean session when lighter winds align with the swell. Overall, it's a spot for mellow sessions rather than high-performance surfing in February.