Surfing in Brazil in May
In May the best surfing in Brazil is at Saquarema – Itaúna, Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador & Itacaré.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Waves: 1.5 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 22–29°C, shorty at 22–24°C; no wetsuit at 28–29°C
- Air: 26°C by day, 20°C at night
- Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 27 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 14; a day can have both
- Warm enough for no wetsuit: Itacaré, São Miguel do Gostoso & Taíba.
- For beginners: Itacaré, Praia do Rosa & São Miguel do Gostoso.
When are you planning to go?
1
MayPEAK SEASON
Itaúna
Saquarema · Brazil
1.9 m waves24° water27° air
Intermediate and up · shorty · ✈ SDU 70 km
2
MayPEAK SEASON
Arpoador
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
1.7 m waves24° water26° air
Intermediate and up · shorty · ✈ SDU 9 km
3
MayPEAK SEASON
Itacaré
Brazil
1.2 m waves28° water27° air
Beginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ IOS 59 km
4
MayPEAK SEASON
Joaquina
Florianópolis · Brazil
1.5 m waves22° water23° air
Intermediate and up · shorty · ✈ FLN 11 km
5
MayGOOD
Praia do Rosa
Brazil
1.5 m waves22° water22° air
Beginner-friendly · shorty · ✈ FLN 52 km
6
MayGOOD
São Miguel do Gostoso
Brazil
1.4 m waves29° water30° air
Beginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ NAT 78 km
7
MayGOOD
Ilha do Mel
Brazil
1.4 m waves24° water23° air
Beginner-friendly · shorty · ✈ CWB 88 km
8
MayGOOD
Taíba
Brazil
1.3 m waves29° water30° air
Beginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ FOR 51 km
Averages of the 8 spots on this page. Wave height: average daily maximum.
Questions
Where to go surfing in Brazil in May?
Saquarema – Itaúna: 1.9 m waves; Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador: 1.7 m waves; Itacaré: 1.2 m waves.
How warm is the water in Brazil in May?
22–29°C: shorty at 22–24°C; no wetsuit at 28–29°C.
Where can beginners go surfing in May?
Good spots for beginners this month: Itacaré, Praia do Rosa & São Miguel do Gostoso.
Which airport is closest?
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), 70 km from Saquarema – Itaúna; Bahia - Jorge Amado Airport (IOS), 59 km from Itacaré; Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN), 11 km from Florianópolis – Joaquina.
