Surf Forecasts:
Prainha surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, E swell with 251 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Prainha this week:
The surf forecast for Prainha over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Prainha in the next 16 days are 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Prainha over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, family, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this 16-day stretch is a real mixed bag. We’ve got a lot of small, jumbled swell and iffy wind, but there are a few windows where it all comes together, especially if you’re willing to wait for it.
The run starts off with a whimper. Over the next several days, we're looking at tiny waves – think waist-high at best – and mostly onshore or cross-shore wind. The swell direction is all over the place but really doesn't matter when it’s this small. Don’t get your hopes up for the first week; it’s going to be a grind, with a lot of blown-out, crumbly closeouts. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a small comfort at least, and the energy in the water is weak, mostly under 200 (178 to 275).
First real glimmer of hope comes early on the morning of Tuesday the 19th. The wind swings to a light offshore northwesterly, and that little east swell, though only 3ft, will be clean. It’s not going to be epic, but it will be surfable. We get another brief moment on Thursday morning the 21st with glassy conditions, but the swell just drops off. Then, on Friday the 21st, we get a proper offshore WSW breeze at 12 mph, but the swell is a weak 2ft with a short 7-second period. That’s pretty average, but it’s clean, so for the desperate, it’s something.
Okay, now let's talk about the first real standout. Sunday the 24th. The wind is light and offshore or cross-offshore, and we see a new, longer-period southeast swell arrive. We’re only looking at 2ft, but that period jumps to 16 seconds. That’s some proper groundswell energy, even if the height is small. The combined energy jumps to 274, which is much more promising. This will be clean, a bit more powerful than the size suggests, and much better shaped. This is a go-to for the longboard or a fun little twin fin.
The following week gets a bit messy. There’s a pulse of easterly swell on Tuesday the 25th, but it’s short-period, junky, and looks a mess. A lot of rain around too, so I wouldn’t rush out for that one. That Wednesday morning the 26th has a light offshore, but the swell is small.
But then we get the real prize. On Thursday morning, the 27th, it's glassy with a light offshore wind, and that SE swell is still in the water. It's not huge, just 3ft, but it'll be clean. Then, the morning of Friday the 28th is glassy again, but it’s that small stuff. The real gem comes on Friday afternoon the 28th. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the east, the wind goes glassy, and the combined energy leaps to 307. That is the standout of this whole period. It will be the biggest, cleanest surf we’ve seen in a fortnight. Feels like a reward for being patient.
After that, we get a bit of a fade-out. A strong south-southeast wind kicks in Saturday the 29th, chopping things up. The swell stays around 3-4ft but all quality is gone. Then it fades into small, weak surf for the end of the window.
So, there you have it. A whole lot of waiting around for two proper windows: Sunday the 24th and, most importantly, Friday afternoon the 28th. That’s your best bet. Everything else is a paddling workout. Keep your eyes on that forecast and be ready to move when the wind swings.
Alright, stay wet.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
131 | 159 | 177 | 138 | 172 | 234 | 251 | 209 | 167 | 143 | 136 | 104 | 63 | 61 | 57 | 41 | 7 | 48 | 51 | 61 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:44PM1.18m | 4:38AM1.28m | 5:12PM1.10m | 5:17AM1.19m | 5:41PM1.02m | 6:01AM1.08m | 6:13PM0.94m | 6:57AM0.97m | 6:56PM0.85m | 8:16AM0.89m | 3:35PM0.79m | 8:15PM0.78m | 4:21AM0.59m | 3:08PM0.78m | 9:53PM0.78m | |||||
Low Tide | 9:28PM0.32m | 9:59AM0.15m | 9:59PM0.28m | 10:27AM0.25m | 10:32PM0.27m | 10:56AM0.37m | 11:08PM0.31m | 11:29AM0.50m | 11:50PM0.37m | 12:09PM0.63m | 6:01PM0.74m | 5:01AM0.59m | 1:12PM0.76m | 6:41PM0.65m | ||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 4 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 |
131 | 159 | 177 | 138 | 172 | 234 | 251 | 209 | 167 | 143 | 136 | 104 | 63 | 61 | 57 | 41 | 12 | 48 | 51 | 61 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | E 8 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 |
49 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 38 | 24 | 9 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 18 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | S 9 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SE 7 | SE 11 | — | ESE 4 |
5 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 13 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | S 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 44 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 4 | 73 | 4 | 4 | 96 | 4 | 4 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 11 | 0 | 33 | 52 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Catarina - Norte | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Prainha Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Prainha provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Prainha can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Prainha surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Prainha) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Prainha may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Prainha is 14 km (9 miles) from Sao Francisco do Sul. If you plan a holiday in Santa Catarina - Norte, look for hotels and other accommodation in Sao Francisco do Sul. Sao Francisco do Sul has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











