The WSL Championship Tour comes to Saquarema every June and asks the same question of every surfer who watches from the sand: what would it take to surf that?
The answer is more attainable than competition makes it look. Praia de Itaúna is a public beach. The waves that produce double-overhead rights for Gabriel Medina in Round 1 heats are the same waves that have been teaching Brazilian kids to surf since before the WSL held an event here. When the professionals leave Saquarema in late June, the break remains exactly as it was — open, generous on good days, demanding on great ones, and framed by the Lagoa de Araruama and the inland hills of Rio de Janeiro State in a way that makes it one of South America's most beautiful surf environments.
Understanding Praia de Itaúna
Saquarema has several beaches. Itaúna — the one that matters — is a southeast-facing beach of approximately 4 kilometres that receives swell from two primary directions: the winter southwestern groundswells the WSL times its event around, and the more common easterly trade-wind swells that arrive year-round.
The wave in WSL conditions (June–August): Winter frontal systems track northeast off Patagonia and Argentina, generating long-period groundswells of 4–10 feet that organise into consistent, punchy beach break peaks at Itaúna. The sand bars at the northern end tend to produce a workable right; the southern section, near the lagoon mouth, offers a faster occasional left that can barrel on the lower tide. Wave face heights of 6–10 feet occur multiple times each month during peak season. The CT event window is deliberately set around this period.
The wave in shoulder season (April–May, September–October): Shorter-period easterly swells produce 3–5 feet of more frequent surf, with better accessibility for intermediate riders. This is excellent beach break surfing with significantly thinner crowds than the winter or WSL event period.
Crowd dynamics: During the June CT event, the competition zone is restricted to credential holders. For the remaining 50+ weeks, Itaúna receives local surfers, visiting Brazilians, and a growing international contingent who have discovered that Saquarema's combination of quality surf and relative affordability is exceptional on the South American coast. Weekday mornings outside event season can be surprisingly uncrowded.
When to Go
Prime season: June through August. Water temperature: 20–23°C — comfortable in boardshorts for acclimatised Brazilians, a lightweight 2mm spring suit for most international visitors. Southern Hemisphere winter brings the consistent Antarctic-generated groundswell the WSL event is built around. June is the sweet spot: swell active, crowds moderate, conditions optimal.
Avoid: December–February (summer). The Rio de Janeiro summer brings enormous domestic tourism, northerly winds that degrade wave quality, and the kind of crowd density that makes the lineup challenging for visitors. The swell exists — easterly groundswells continue year-round — but the conditions are rarely as good as winter and the logistics are more demanding.
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Join ZealZagFollow us on InstagramGetting to Saquarema
From Rio de Janeiro: Saquarema is approximately 90 kilometres east of Rio along the RJ-106 coastal highway. Drive time: 1h20 to 1h45 depending on Rio traffic. The city's notorious coastal gridlock affects this route on weekend afternoons — plan arrivals on weekday mornings or depart before 14:00.
By bus: Salineira intercity buses run from Rio's Novo Rio terminal to Saquarema in approximately 2 hours. Services are reliable; board transport requires prior arrangement with the operator.
Car rental: The practical choice for international visitors with equipment. Rio's Galeão Airport (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU) both have major rental agencies. SUVs and station wagons accommodate board bags and are common on the Saquarema roads during surf season.
Board rental: Three shops within walking distance of Itaúna rent boards from R$60–100 per day. Inspect for delamination and dings before accepting.
Board Selection
For WSL-grade winter swell (6ft+ SW groundswell): A step-up shortboard with slightly more volume than your standard performance board — 6'2" to 6'6" with 28–30 litres for most riders. Itaúna's beach break rewards speed generation and committed rail turns on the open faces. A thruster setup works well; twin-fin for surfers who want more down-the-line drive.
For shoulder season conditions (3–5ft): Your standard shortboard or mid-length handles the smaller, more forgiving Saquarema peaks. A 7'0"–7'6" mid-length works beautifully for less aggressive style on the longer sections. Beginners: 8'0"+ foamie from the rental shops.
Where to Stay
Saquarema is a small town built around the lagoon. Accommodation is limited — book early, especially for May–August.
- *Pousada das Ondas* — directly on Itaúna beach, board storage, from R$200/night
- *Saquarema Surf House* — popular with international visitors, shared rooms from R$80/night
- *Pousada Itaúna Inn* — mid-range, private rooms with AC, 5 minutes from the break, R$280–380/night
From Rio as a day trip: the 90km drive is straightforward and popular with domestic visitors who prefer city accommodation. The best Itaúna surf happens between 7 and 9 a.m. — staying locally gives access to the morning prime windows.
Food, Coffee, and Saquarema Culture
Saquarema's food scene is unpretentious and excellent. The town exists for surfing and fishing; everything on the menu reflects these priorities.
Café do Mar on the Itaúna seafront: açaí bowls and espresso from 6:30 a.m. The açaí is made properly — with granola, banana, and no supermarket approximation. Post-surf breakfast here, watching the morning glass from a plastic chair, is the best version of the day.
Restaurante O Pescador: Fresh fish and seafood on the lagoon side. Order the moqueca (Brazilian fish stew) if available. Lunch for two with cold Brahma: R$120–180.
Surf community: Saquarema's surfing culture is genuine and deeply local. The town has produced multiple CT surfers and the community around Itaúna is protective of its break but warmly welcoming to visitors who show basic lineup courtesy. Learn the lineup, wait your turn, don't drop in, and you will find Saquarema's surf community among the most hospitable in Brazil.
For WSL context and the previous CT stop, see our VIVO Rio Pro 2026 opening day field report and the Raglan Manu Bay surf guide (New Zealand).
Frequently Asked
Do I need a guide or instructor to surf Saquarema? At 3–4 feet, confident intermediates paddle out independently. At 6ft+ winter groundswell, experience at powerful beach breaks is required. Two registered surf schools operate from the northern Itaúna section — lessons from R$120 per session.
What wetsuit do I need? June through August: water is 20–22°C. A lightweight 2mm spring suit provides comfort on longer sessions and early morning starts. Experienced surfers from warm-water locations often surf in boardshorts through the winter; international visitors from colder climates benefit from the suit.
Is it safe to travel to Saquarema as a surf tourist? Saquarema is a safe, family-oriented town with a much lower crime rate than central Rio. Normal travel precautions apply (don't leave boards or valuables visible in rental cars). The Itaúna beach area has permanent security presence during the WSL event window.
How do I get surf forecasts for Saquarema? Surfline, Windguru, and Brazil's Surf Guru platform all provide accurate Saquarema forecasts. The WSL official forecast shows the Itaúna conditions live during the event window at worldsurfleague.com. For real-time conditions, the Saquarema surf cams run 24h from the main beach car park.
