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 November, Praia da Saudade offers modest but surfable conditions with an average swell height of 0.9m and a decent period of 8.0s, producing consistent, albeit smaller waves. The swell is predominantly from the east and southeast, with the majority falling in the 0.5–1.5m range (E and ESE directions accounting for over 50% of the waves). While larger swells (1.5m+) are less frequent (around 3–5%), they can provide decent rides for intermediate surfers. Wind conditions are a mixed bag—only 18% of the time is it ideal (likely light offshore or cross-shore winds from NNE to ENE). However, onshore winds from the SE/SSE are more common, which can degrade wave quality, especially when paired with stronger gusts (20–30kph). Overall, November is best suited for surfers comfortable with smaller waves and occasional wind challenges, though early mornings may offer cleaner conditions when winds are lighter.