Surfing Joaquina: The Complete Guide

Joaquina is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, offering a left-hander along South America's vast coastline. Joaquina is the surfing capital of Santa Catarina and one of the most famous beaches in southern Brazil. Rated as advanced difficulty with 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 SE (135°), with workable conditions from ESE to S (112°–180°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Joaquina 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 NW (315°). The full offshore range spans W to N (270°–360°). 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 Joaquina 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: Works year-round

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 20°C / 68°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is FLN, roughly 25 minutes by car.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Gets very crowded on good days

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (8/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Joaquina? 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 Joaquina is firing.

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