Photo: Alessandrofnunes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Guarda do Embaú
Brazil's celebrated rivermouth left and its first World Surfing Reserve, where long, sand-bottom walls peel off the mouth of the Rio da Madre beside a rocky headland inside the Serra do Tabuleiro protected area. On its best autumn-to-winter S/SE swells with W–NW offshores it runs long and hollow — a former WCS/WQS competition venue — while smaller days offer forgiving peaks. You reach the peak by wading across the river, and from May to July the rivermouth closes to surfing for the tainha (mullet) fishing run, sending surfers to nearby Prainha.
Surf outlook
We don't have a forecast outlook for Guarda do Embaú yet. The seasonal guidance below is based on long-run averages, not on this week.
Live conditions
We don't have a current forecast for Guarda do Embaú. The seasonal guidance below is based on long-run averages, not on today.
Surf Snapshot
Estimated seasonal guidance — not a live forecast.
When to surf Guarda do Embaú, month by month
Estimated from our authored seasonality — not a live forecast.
Peak season: Aug, Sept (All-time).
| Month | Surf consistency |
|---|---|
| Jan | Inconsistent |
| Feb | Inconsistent |
| Mar | Moderate |
| Apr | High |
| May | High |
| Jun | High |
| July | High |
| Augpeak | All-time |
| Septpeak | All-time |
| Oct | High |
| Nov | Moderate |
| Dec | Inconsistent |
Does this wave fit your level?
Rated for Levels 3-7 · Best at Level 5.
Take the 2-minute quiz to see if Guarda do Embaú fits you today.
Find my Level →Beginner notes
Not a true first-timer wave at the main peak: reaching it means wading the Rio da Madre, and the rivermouth carries real current plus crowds when it is on. Beginners are better on the open beach sections on small days or taking a lesson on the inside — local schools (e.g. Gaia Experiências) and the Surf Camp run guided sessions and pick the safest spot by the forecast. Note the May–Jul fishing closure; in that window head to Prainha or an open beach stretch instead.
Hazards
- strong river current
- rip currents
- wading river crossing
- crowds when good
- rocky headland at the point
- seasonal fishing closure May–Jul
Camps near Guarda do Embaú
Nearby spots
The closest graded spots to Guarda do Embaú, straight-line distance.
- Praia dos Naufragados~8 km · Levels 5-7
- Praia de Garopaba~15 km · Levels 1-5
- Lagoinha do Leste~18 km · Levels 4-7
- Praia do Matadeiro~19 km · Levels 2-6
- Praia da Ferrugem~20 km · Levels 1-6
Best months to surf here
In-season months for Brazil, from our editors’ season calendar.