Surf: Joaquina beach is the most consistent and often the best beachbreak in Santa Catarina. Any swell direction and size, any tide and even the onshore sea breezes don't always spoil the party. It's always powerful, often hollow and never empty. Longer lefts can form over the constantly replenished north end sandbars, or else pick a peak on the trudge south. Gets heavy at size, when the paddle-out is pure punishment. As an ex World Tour contest site, there are lights installed and a night session is possible if the council deem the surf good enough. Environment: Being the closest break to Florianopolis, the Brazilian storm is at its most intense. Winter mid-week may be easier to find a runner off the point, but don't bet on it. Not a great beginner beach unless it is small and junky. Surf: General: Joaquina Beach is the center of surfing in the region. The town council was persuaded enough to install stadium lighting -- as in Rio at Arpoador -- so that night surfing is possible when the surf is in the fun range. The wave itself is a sand-bottom, lefthand semi-point of shifting sandbars off a rocky headland. On its best days, it can hold big swell -- up to double-overhead -- and can get heavy. A variety of spots from the north end of the beach can handle any swell direction and any tide, up to 10-feet or more, and on its best days it can be spectacularly long and hollow. Picks up lots of swell, and there's usually always something to ride. Tides: Longer rides at the left corner with low to medium tide, but breaks on all tides. Size: Chest high-2X overhead, but can hold even larger. Wind: Calm or offshore from the NW. Swell: S to E Bottom: Sand. Paddling: Despite the channel in the left corner of the beach, on large days it is difficult to enter. Spot Rating: Very consistent, holds big waves, and in its best conditions is a regional classic. Access: Easy. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Heavy. Serious and competitive. Local Vibe: Serious to aggro. Environment: Fairly clean for the most part. Hazards: Other surfers and localism on better days. Currents on bigger days. Season: Fall and winter are best, but breaks year-round.