A punchy point-and-beach break tucked into a scenic bay in Niterói, just across the bay from Rio de Janeiro, Itacoatiara is regarded as one of the best and most consistent waves in the Rio metro area and has hosted national and WQS-level contests. The setup offers rippable rights off the point along with beach-break peaks. Suitable for intermediate surfers on smaller days, with more powerful conditions challenging beginners. Best in winter (May-Sept) SW groundswells with offshore winds from the north.
🌡️ ~22.1°C now · a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Nov, Dec
Advanced: Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
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Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Nov, Dec
Advanced: Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Itacoatiara's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 10 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 26° | 28° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 22° | 23° | 25° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 4.1 ft (1.2 m), with cross-offshore winds around 9 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.8 ft (1.2 m), with cross-offshore winds around 9 km/h from the E. Water is ~28°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 9 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.3 ft (1.6 m), with cross-offshore winds around 9 km/h from the E. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.5 ft (1.7 m), with cross-offshore winds around 10 km/h from the NE. Water is ~24°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with offshore winds around 9 km/h from the N. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.5 ft (1.7 m), with offshore winds around 10 km/h from the N. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.7 ft (1.7 m), with cross-offshore winds around 11 km/h from the NE. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.8 ft (1.8 m), with cross-offshore winds around 12 km/h from the E. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.3 ft (1.6 m), with cross-onshore winds around 12 km/h from the E. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.0 ft (1.5 m), with cross-onshore winds around 11 km/h from the SE. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.2 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 10 km/h from the E. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
For intermediates: Jun, Nov–Apr. For advanced surfers: Apr–May, Jul–Nov. The biggest waves come in September, averaging 5.8 ft (1.8 m), and the smallest in February, at 3.8 ft (1.2 m).
It ranges from ~22°C in August to ~28°C in February, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In August (~22°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty. In February (~28°C): boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed.
Not really: Itacoatiara is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is GIG, and the nearest town is Niterói, Brazil.
