Santa Clara is a surf spot located at the eastern end of the aeroporto. It features a heavy righthand reef break off the southern tip of Ponta Delgada. This spot isn’t super popular, and it tends to be a solo surfing experience since most surfers prefer other spots on the south coast when they’re firing. The waves here need a significant S, SW, or W swell to really come alive, so the overall consistency is low.
You can expect the waves to be more favorable with Southwest swells, but it can also work with Southeast and West swells. This spot is known for handling swell sizes of around 10ft (3 meters). The wave breaks over uneven reef and offers critical take-offs along with high-speed barrel sections. It's important to note that this break is designed for expert surfers only, given the challenge it presents.
When planning your surf session, the best wind direction is from the North. Santa Clara can work across all tide heights: low, mid, and high. Just remember that this spot requires experience and a good understanding of reef breaks, so it's not the place for beginners.