Best time to surf Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador
The best time to surf at Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador is May, August, with waves of about 1.8 m and water around 23°C.
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: May, August
Arpoador is a short beach between Ipanema and Copacabana in the south of Rio de Janeiro, sheltered on its eastern side by the Pedra do Arpoador, a rocky headland. It is often called the cradle of Brazilian surfing. Waves break over sandbanks that form along the rock, giving mostly rights off the point and peaks further down the beach towards Ipanema.
The best season runs from about April to September, when cold fronts send south and south-west swells up the coast; northerly winds blow offshore. In summer the surf is smaller and the sea breeze turns onshore in the afternoon. It suits intermediate surfers, and bigger days near the rock are for experienced surfers only. The line-up is very crowded and busy with swimmers, so give way and keep clear of the bathing areas; check local rules on surfing zones. Watch for the rocks, rip currents and, after heavy rain, poor water quality. The water is usually about 20–24 °C, but cold upwelling can drop it below that, so a spring suit is handy in winter.
Month by month at Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador
- January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 26°C, air 30°C (nights 24°C), 26 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 28°C, air 31°C (nights 24°C), 26 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 26°C, air 29°C (nights 23°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 25°C, air 28°C (nights 22°C), 27 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 24°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 27 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 23°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- July: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 18°C), 28 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- August: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 27 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- September: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 24 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 23°C, air 27°C (nights 21°C), 24 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- November: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 23°C, air 27°C (nights 21°C), 25 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 25°C, air 29°C (nights 23°C), 27 sunny days, 16 rainy days
Surfing in Brazil: May, August
When is the best time to go surfing at Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador?
May, August, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador?
22°C to 28°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a shorty or lycra in the coolest.
How windy is Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador?
About 4 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in August.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador
- Saquarema – Itaúna (73 km)
More: All spots in Brazil · Surfing in Brazil
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