With over 7,400 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, Brazil offers an exceptional range of spots suitable for board sports. The south-easterly trade winds, constant between July and December, are the daily playground for windsurfers, kitesurfers, wingfoilers and other light sailors. From the endless beaches of Fortaleza to the unspoilt lagoons of the Nordeste, each region has developed its own sailing culture, supported by a network of dynamic schools and clubs. Which sailing equipment should I choose? What's the right season? Where are the best places to learn or improve? A nautical overview of Brazil, between a change of scenery and performance.
The Northeast: kite and windfoil kingdom
The Ceará region, and particularly the area between Fortaleza and Jericoacoara, has become the epicenter of kitesurfing worldwide. The wind blows side-shore, sometimes slightly side-on, and offers almost perfect gliding conditions on a moderate swell. Cumbuco's long, sandy beach is home to schools such as Cumbuco Kite Center, Windtown Brazil Cumbuco and Vila Coqueiros Kite School. Windfoil is also practiced here, supported by a steady wind and long lines of open water with no choppy chop.
On the way north towards Jericoacoara, you'll find less-frequented spots such as Icaraizinho de Amontada and Almofala. Here too, the coastline offers a selection of welcoming pousadas for accommodation, often located in the immediate vicinity of kitesurfing and wingfoil schools offering lessons, personalized coaching and safe supervision on nearby spots.
In Jericoacoara, the relief and lagoon configuration of the spot make for flatter seas, ideal for freestyle or technical improvement. Club Ventos Jeri is an institution for windsurfing enthusiasts, and also offers the latest wingfoil equipment for hire.
For those wishing to avoid the turbulence of Jericoacoara, Préa beach is just 12 km away. The Kitenomad school offers a full range of services for surfing enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced riders. Personalized courses in freestyle or in the waves, supervised downwinds along the coast, exploration of little-known spots, rental and sale of top-of-the-range equipment, surfwear... the team supervises each session with an eye for detail and introduces visitors to the spirit of Brazilian surfing and the local culture.
The wild Nordeste: the lagoons of Parnaíba and the spots of Maranhão
Less frequented, the area stretching from Parnaíba to São Luís is full of spots for surfing enthusiasts. The Parnaíba delta, the second largest in America, can be discovered by beach catamaran or small dinghy for sailors. For riders, downwinds of several dozen miles are organized, sometimes with mobile logistics by land. Schools such as Rancho do Kite (Prea) offer supervised multi-day expeditions. The flat areas inside the lagoons also attract freestyle foil riders, who enjoy the wave-free water and natural safety.
Southeast: urban gliding in Rio and Paraty
In Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay offers contrasting terrain: swell on the open Atlantic side (Praia do Pepê), calmer, protected seas on the Niterói side. The Rio Sailing Club and facilities such as the Escola Brasileira de Windsurf in Barra da Tijuca offer windsurfing and wingfoiling with a unique urban panorama. For those who prefer a quieter ride, Paraty, 250 km to the south, offers a protected stretch of water popular with SUP racers and light sailors (Laser, Hobie Cat). Coastal sailing is also possible on catamarans.
Florianópolis and the South: the temperate Brazil of sailors
The island of Santa Catarina, home to the city of Florianópolis, offers more technical sailing with irregular winds, often south-southeast. The spot of Lagoa da Conceição, a vast inland lagoon, is ideal for foiling or light sailing. The IKO Kitesurf School offers certified training. The more exposed Atlantic coastline is ideal for seasoned riders looking to combine glide and performance. Cruising schools offer training cruises in the surrounding archipelago.
A tried-and-tested network for gliding
Brazil's tourism development is focused on boardsports, with many schools affiliated to the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) or the VDWS (Association Internationale des Sports Nautiques).
The Brazilian coastline is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced surfers. The sometimes powerful shore breaks, the breaker zones and the lack of supervision on certain spots require autonomy and mastery of the medium. However, a number of clubs offer courses and supervised sailing to enable everyone to discover the sensations of a tropical glide carried by generous winds and a breathtaking setting.
The ideal time for board sports in Brazil is between July and December, when the trade winds are most regular, with maximum reliability between August and November. These constant winds vary from 15 to 25 knots, and are often reinforced by coastal thermal effects in the afternoon, particularly around Fortaleza. From January to March, the rainy season disrupts the regularity of the wind, although some days remain suitable for kitesurfing or wingfoiling.
Finally, air links between Europe and Brazil ensure rapid access to the main spots. On site, transfers are mainly by pick-up truck or buggy, especially for downwind expeditions where equipment must follow.
