Cachorro is a pocket beach tucked between scattered rocks at each end, and where you set up decides the wave you get. Off the headland it throws swift, sucky rights, while longer left walls peel around the mini-point coming across from Praia Meio. Through the middle it turns dumpy and closes out over sparse sand, so the two ends are where the shape holds. Breaking over a mix of uneven reef and sand, it hands you both lefts and rights.
When It Works
The beach draws swell from northwest through northeast, with northeast (NE) the best match for lining up the headland rights and the point-style lefts. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft and is moderately consistent, so you will find rideable days without expecting it to be on every time you check.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind to clean up the faces. It can work through most of the tide, from low to high, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Cachorro suits intermediate surfers, especially when those rights get quick and hollow off the headland. Despite the gaping barrels on offer here, the lineup rarely gets crowded, so there is usually room to find your own peak.
Access
Getting in is easy, with free roadside parking close to the beach.
