Surfing Maresias: The Complete Guide

Maresias is a sandy-bottom beach break located in São Sebastião, SP, Brazil, offering both lefts and rights along South America's vast coastline. Maresias is Gabriel Medina's home break and arguably the most high-performance beach break in Brazil. Rated as advanced difficulty with very crowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is S (180°), with workable conditions from SSE to SW (157°–225°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Maresias needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 3.5m / 11ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the N (0°). The full offshore range spans NW to NE (315°–45°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Maresias runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Year-round with best swells in autumn/winter

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 21°C / 70°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is GRU, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by road.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
👊 Localism — Heavy local enforcement
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Heavy local crew, can get very crowded

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Respect the lineup, wait your turn, and be friendly. A little humility goes a long way
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (7/10). Crowd Level: Typically very crowded (9/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Maresias? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Maresias is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*