Fernando de Noronha.
Now
· updated 10 hours ago1.2-1.3m north-northeast swell at 12 seconds holds Thursday under moderate east wind, building slightly Friday. Weekend sees 1.6-1.8m east-southeast swell with strong south influence at 7-11 seconds under strong east-southeast wind, peaking Tuesday at 1.8-1.9m east-southeast/north swell at 8-9 seconds under moderate-to-strong east-southeast/southeast wind. Looks like Tuesday will be the best window despite strong wind, as conditions ease slightly through the week with southeast swell holding 1.3-1.5m at 7-8 seconds under strong east-southeast wind.
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About Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago 354 km off Brazil’s north-east coast, administered by Pernambuco. The headline is Cacimba do Padre, a heavy beach-break tube under the twin rocks called Dois Irmãos. Boldró and Conceição, both within walking distance, hold up at smaller swells. The island sits at 3.8°S, directly in the path of North Atlantic winter storms, which makes it the rare Brazilian wave that fires hardest in Brazilian summer. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Peak runs December through March, when North Atlantic storms send long-period north to north-west swell straight at the island. Cacimba is rarely under 0.6 m through peak season and tops out around 2.5 m. Periods stretch past 13 s when it’s on. The east-south-east trade is dominant, offshore at Cacimba and Boldró all day. Swells run 5 to 6 days, and the gaps between are dead flat. February is the peak month, with the highest count of clean days.
Water sits at 26 to 28 °C year-round. Boardies, end of story. The hazards are the reef and the access. Cacimba breaks fast and shallow over rock; the inside dries on a low tide. Flights only land from Natal or Recife, and the island charges a daily environmental fee. 70% of the archipelago is a national marine park, with restricted hours at the protected beaches. If Cacimba is closing out, walk to Boldró.