Photo: Rodrigo.Argenton · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Praia Mole
One of Florianópolis's most popular waves and the island's intermediate favourite — an exposed beach break tucked in a small, hill-sheltered bay, with sand-bottom a-frame peaks down the middle and a rocky headland at the north end that shapes a heavier right on bigger swells. It's powerful for its size and works best on S/SE groundswell with W/NW offshores; the surrounding hills shelter it from most winds, so it's a good call when other spots are blown out. Water is cool in the southern winter (a 3/2 or spring suit), which is exactly when the biggest, cleanest swells arrive (June–July).
Surf outlook
We don't have a forecast outlook for Praia Mole 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 Praia Mole. 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 Praia Mole, month by month
Estimated from our authored seasonality — not a live forecast.
Peak season: Jun, July, Aug (All-time).
| Month | Surf consistency |
|---|---|
| Jan | Moderate |
| Feb | Moderate |
| Mar | Moderate |
| Apr | High |
| May | High |
| Junpeak | All-time |
| Julypeak | All-time |
| Augpeak | All-time |
| Sept | High |
| Oct | Moderate |
| Nov | Moderate |
| Dec | Moderate |
Does this wave fit your level?
Rated for Levels 3-7 · Best at Level 5.
Take the 2-minute quiz to see if Praia Mole fits you today.
Find my Level →Beginner notes
Not a first-timer's beach: Praia Mole is punchy, the shorebreak stings on bigger days, and rip currents are the real hazard here. Improvers can surf the sand-bottom middle peaks on small, clean mornings with a school, but complete beginners in Florianópolis are far better served on the gentler beaches at Barra da Lagoa and Campeche's inside. Stay clear of the rocky north corner.
Hazards
- rip currents
- rocks at the north headland
- powerful shorebreak on bigger days
- crowds
Nearby spots
The closest graded spots to Praia Mole, straight-line distance.
- Praia da Galheta~1 km · Levels 3-6
- Praia da Joaquina~3 km · Levels 2-6
- Praia da Barra da Lagoa~3 km · Levels 1-5
- Praia do Moçambique~9 km · Levels 3-7
- Praia do Campeche~10 km · Levels 3-7
Best months to surf here
In-season months for Brazil, from our editors’ season calendar.