Surf: The Galheta nudist beach is a bit of a hike from Mole, but it gets hollow waves with far fewer crowds. Can hold a decent sandbar with plenty of spinners both ways in E-SE swells and NE sea breezes won't ruffle the northern corner. Directions: Long walk in from Mole Beach Environment: A bit too sucky for beginners above chest-high. Surf: General: When driving east across the island from the city, the first beach you hit is Praia Mole. Walking north from there around the headland will take you to the secluded beach of Galheta, which can have very good surf. It is a bit of a hike, so take some water and snacks, but its seclusion is its great benefit, as the water will be much less crowded than at the easier-access breaks. It also means the beach is sort of a nudie hang-out, which is a plus or minus depending on what floats your boat.

The bottom is sand, but the sandbars seem more stable than most, and the surf can be quite peaky and good, with specific peaks working better on certain days. It works best on east swells, as the headland shelters some of the more southerly angles. The walk is pretty and adds a bit of adventure. Tides: Low to medium Size: Knee high to slightly overhead Wind: Calm or offshore from the W to N. Swell: E, SE, S Bottom: Sand. Paddling: The paddle is not bad for smaller days, but becomes more the larger it gets. Spot Rating: Consistent and less crowded. The NE wind which is sideshore at Praia Mole becomes offshore at the left corner of Galhetas. Access: Difficult, long walk. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Relatively mellow. Local Vibe: Cool. Environment: Fairly clean for the most part. Hazards: As other spots in SC, between May and June surfing may be prohibited for traditional "Tainha" fishing. Season: Fall and winter are best, but breaks year-round, with the left corner working better with bigger East swells most common during the months of August to November.