Overview
Praia do Sul sits in a sheltered corner that can often be the only place working in a big north or northwest swell. A right-hander peels off the headland, but it only wakes up at serious size, when it throws long, rolling, double-overhead walls. It's a powerful wave that breaks in deep water. In smaller conditions a few peaks show up along the beach, though it isn't high quality then. The bottom is a mix of sand, rock, and reef.
When It Works
The break draws swell from west-southwest through northwest (WSW-NW) and is usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. Winter is the season to watch. On its rare good days the point delivers big, long, ripable walls that stretch and wrap into the bay, and it's a fickle right that can be well worth the long paddle and the heavy hold-downs. Medium swells out of the north also bring mediocre peaks inside the bay if you want something more forgiving. Both rights and lefts break here, and when it lines up the wave quality is decent.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from east-northeast to southeast. It can work across low, mid, and high tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one suits a broad range of surfers, from beginners on the inside peaks to intermediates and experts out on the point. It takes just about any board, whether you're on a shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, gun, or bodyboard. The beach usually stays fairly quiet with a somewhat reserved feel, but the point pulls a crowd when it's on. Take care when it's big, as it gets heavy and there are rocks on the inside.
Access
There's a car park at the southern end of the beach.
