Best time to surf Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre
The best time to surf at Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre is January–March, December, the known surf season, with water around 28°C.
Vila dos Remédios, Pernambuco, Brazil
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: January–March, December
Cacimba do Padre is the main surf beach of Fernando de Noronha, a volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic about 350 km off the coast of north-east Brazil, part of the state of Pernambuco. Much of the island is a national marine park, and the beach lies on its north-west side, near the twin peaks of Morro Dois Irmãos.
The beach faces north-west and catches swells from the North Atlantic, mostly from December to March. These can be powerful, giving hollow, fast waves over sand with rocks at the edges, which is why the island is sometimes compared with Hawaii. Easterly and south-easterly trade winds blow offshore on most days. The waves suit intermediate and advanced surfers; on big days the beach is for experts only, and outside the season it is often flat. The water is clear and warm, around 26 to 28 °C. Visitor numbers are limited, an environmental fee applies, and park rules cover beaches, wildlife and access, so check local rules before you travel. Rip currents form on big swells.
Month by month at Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre
- January: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 28°C, air 28°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- February: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 28°C, air 28°C (nights 26°C), 28 sunny days, 19 rainy days
- March: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 29°C, air 28°C (nights 26°C), 28 sunny days, 24 rainy days
- April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 29°C, air 28°C (nights 26°C), 27 sunny days, 25 rainy days
- May: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 29°C, air 29°C (nights 27°C), 29 sunny days, 21 rainy days
- June: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 28°C, air 28°C (nights 26°C), 30 sunny days, 19 rainy days
- July: 20 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 2 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 16 rainy days
- August: 23 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 2 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 25°C), 31 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- September: 23 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 25°C), 30 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- October: 22 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 26°C), 29 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- November: 17 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 26°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- December: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 28°C, air 27°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 6 rainy days
Surfing in Brazil: January, February, March, December
When is the best time to go surfing at Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre?
January–March, December, the known surf season (when the swell direction and winds suit this spot).
How warm is the water at Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre?
27°C to 29°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the coolest.
How windy is Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre?
About 157 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).
More: All spots in Brazil · Surfing in Brazil
Compare with: Fernando de Noronha – Cacimba do Padre vs São Miguel do Gostoso