Surf: General: If you've seen photos of surfers charging big rights with a rocky headland in the back and thought to yourself, "Damn, that looks like a pretty good wave for Brazil," well, most likely it was a shot of Praia da Vila. Most of the sand-bottom beaches in this region of Brazil tend to closeout when the surf gets bigger. Floripa's Joaquina is an exception, as is the pointbreak of Silveira. Praia da Vila is another of the premier big-wave spots in the region, and probably the most consistent big-wave spot in the country, handling double-overhead surf and holding shape, and bigger days are not unheard of.

A long stretch of beach with two small islands offshore, the sandbars build up into peaks offering rights and lefts that can be hollow and pack a punch. The beach draws in swells and can hold big surf.

There are three general surf areas: In summer there can be a long left off the north island, working from 3 to 6-plus feet. Between the two islands there can be rights and lefts on the hard sand-bottom bars, working from 2 to 8 feet. But when the big winter swells come from the south, the Sunset-like outside peak is the place to be. Tides: Medium tides Size: Chest high to 3-4X overhead Wind: Calm or offshore from the N to NE. Swell: S is best. E works too. Bottom: Sand. Paddling: Long paddle back when it is on. Spot Rating: Very consistent and one of the best and few big-wave spots in Brazil. Long and powerful wave when it is on, but usually not hollow. Access: Easy to find. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Crowded, but the bigger it gets, the more the crowd thins out. Local Vibe: Serious and competitive. Some chargers. Environment: Fairly clean for the most part, but, it can get worse with the sewage discharge mixed with the city's rain drainage. Hazards: Hold-downs, lots of paddling, getting caught inside on a big set during a huge S-SE swell. Season: Fall and winter are best, but breaks year-round.