Arraial do Cabo 73.1
#2332 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Rio de Janeiro · near Cabo Frio
Works almost every day, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score73.1 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days14% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell30% period 11 s+
Typical size1.5 m 5.0 ft median
Water23°C a rash vest or 2 mm
Best time to surf Arraial do Cabo
The best time to surf Arraial do Cabo is May, June, July. It rarely works. In May the water sits around 24°C, so pack a rash vest or 2 mm, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is CFB (5 km) and the nearest town is Cabo Frio (6 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 3% | 1.3 m | 24°C | vest |
| Feb | 100% | 16% | 1.3 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Mar | 100% | 18% | 1.4 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Apr | 100% | 18% | 1.4 m | 25°C | vest |
| May | 100% | 31% | 1.6 m | 24°C | vest |
| Jun | 100% | 28% | 1.7 m | 22°C | vest |
| Jul | 100% | 25% | 1.6 m | 22°C | 2mm |
| Aug | 100% | 4% | 1.7 m | 22°C | 2mm |
| Sep | 100% | 9% | 1.7 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Oct | 100% | 4% | 1.6 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Nov | 100% | 10% | 1.5 m | 22°C | vest |
| Dec | 100% | 7% | 1.3 m | 24°C | vest |
Why 73.1
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
7.8
Groundswell 12%
5.9
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.3
Water comfort 10%
7.4
Access 10%
10.0
The detail
Faces 64° with 39% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 45% of days. Mean peak period 9.9 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 18%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -22.943, -42.030 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Praia do Foguete - Cabo Frio🇧🇷 Brazil · score 72.9Praia Grande - Arraial do Cabo🇧🇷 Brazil · score 79.1Praia Brava - Pontal do Atalaia🇧🇷 Brazil · score 79.8Praia do Forte - Cabo Frio🇧🇷 Brazil · score 75.1
Compare Arraial do Cabo with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in MayFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.