Prainha - surf spot statistics

Prainha, Brazil, offers consistent surf year-round, though the best conditions typically occur between May and August. During these months, ground swell makes up a larger portion of the swell mix (38% in May and June, decreasing slightly towards August), leading to cleaner, more organized waves. The mean swell size hovers around 1.5–1.6m, providing solid, rideable waves without being overly heavy. Wind conditions are also more favorable in these months, with May, June, and July seeing the highest percentage of good winds (28%, 28%, and 25%, respectively), reducing the chances of onshore chop. The rest of the year is dominated by wind swell (peaking at 87% in December and January), which can create less predictable and sometimes messier waves. September through December sees a steep drop in favorable wind conditions, with bad winds peaking at 86% in September and October, making these months less reliable. Swell size remains decent in the shoulder seasons, but the increased wind interference lowers overall quality. For surfers seeking the most consistent and clean conditions, the May-to-August window is ideal, offering a balance of ground swell and manageable winds.

In January, Prainha offers fairly consistent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.4m and a decent period of 8.3s, contributing to well-formed waves. The predominant swell direction is from the east to southeast, with the highest frequency of waves in the 1-1.5m range (13.94% from the east and 8.54% from the ESE). Larger waves (1.5-2.5m) are also present but less frequent, mostly arriving from E, ESE, and SSE, providing good power for intermediate to advanced surfers. Cross-shore and offshore winds are ideal for surfing only 21% of the time, with the most favorable conditions occurring when winds are light (0-10kph) or moderate (10-20kph) from the E to SE. However, stronger onshore winds from the NE and NNE can occasionally degrade conditions. Overall, January delivers a mix of manageable waves and occasional bigger sets, making it a solid month for surfing here, though wind consistency is the main limiting factor.