Joaquina.

About

Joaquina is the open-ocean beach break on the east side of Santa Catarina island and the spiritual home of Brazilian surfing. Long, exposed stretch of sand with multiple peaks; the dune at the north end is the landmark.

The beach faces east, so it picks up swell from anywhere between NE and S — Atlantic swells from the south in winter (June–September) deliver the biggest, cleanest waves of the year. Summer is mostly small wind swell with occasional pulses. A short period and onshore wind closes the bank out fast.

For kitesurfers, the spot works best with N or S side-shore wind on small days — but the consistent wind window is over at Lagoa da Conceição, the flat-water lagoon a few kilometres inland. Joaquina itself is a wave spot first; kiting here is for advanced riders only.