Surf Forecasts:
Prainha surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SE swell with 507 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with E 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Prainha in the next 16 days are 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Prainha over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day outlook for Prainha is a tough one. A lot of waiting around for something that never quite fires. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you won’t freeze while you’re sitting out there wondering where the waves went.
We kick off on Tuesday, 18 August with a small 3ft swell from the east, bumping along at a short 8 seconds. The combined energy is a middling 137 – nothing to write home about. But the morning is glassy with a light NNW breeze, so the conditions clean up enough for a surf. By Tuesday afternoon, a NE wind gets on it and it’s pretty ordinary.
Wednesday, 19 August drops to 3ft, still east, still short period. The morning has a cross-off wind from the south that keeps it tidy, but the swell’s weak (energy at 81). Afternoon, the cross-shore from the SSE messes it up properly.
Through Thursday, 20 August and Friday, 21 August, it’s small and weak. Thursday morning’s glassy but the swell’s barely 2ft (energy just 45). Friday has a clean offshore wind (SW and WSW), but the swell size and energy (3ft, 77) just don’t cut it for a proper session.
Saturday, 22 August – morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, but the swell’s 2ft from the SE at 10 seconds. It’s surfable but uninspiring. Afternoon gets choppy.
Now, here’s where we see a flicker. Monday, 24 August afternoon turns glassy, with a 3ft swell from the SE. The period stretches out to 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy jumps to 315 (moderate). The light air leaves it silky. That Monday arvo session is the first real standout in the whole two weeks. But caveat: with that long period, a beach break can get a bit straight and closey, so pick your peak.
Wednesday, 26 August morning is glassy again, with a 2ft SE swell at 15 seconds, energy at 178. It’s clean but tiny.
Come Saturday, 30 August morning, we’ve got a 16 mph south cross-off wind with 3ft east swell at 9 seconds, energy building to 190 – but it stays clean. Monday, 31 August afternoon actually scores a “expect good surf conditions” label: 2ft SE swell, cross-off breeze, energy at 204. It’s the second best call in here, but let’s be honest – it’s still knee-to-waist high at best.
Into the first week of September, Wednesday, 2 September afternoon pushes up to 4ft from the SSE, short period at 8 seconds, but the wind is cross-off and clean. Energy hits 213. If you’re an advanced surfer, that’s the biggest swell of the forecast – but it’s short period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and not packing much punch.
Overall? Two sessions stand out: Monday 24 August afternoon (glassy, groundswell, best quality) and Monday 31 August afternoon (clean, consistent energy). Everything else is small, weak, or wind-affected. Prainha’s an exposed spot, so it catches everything, but that also means it catches all the junk. The crowds are *sometimes* a factor – so on those cleaner afternoons, don’t be surprised to see a few locals already in the water. For beginners, this whole run is mostly ankle-to-knee, so it’s safe but not exciting. For experts? You’re looking at a long paddle for a short ride on most days.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 12 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 4 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
129 | 136 | 111 | 76 | 72 | 41 | 39 | 3 | 37 | 34 | 71 | 68 | 24 | 13 | 19 | 101 | 84 | 29 | 162 | 168 | 202 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:24AM0.96m | 11:16PM0.86m | 12:24PM1.07m | 00:13AM0.98m | 1:05PM1.18m | 00:56AM1.11m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:06AM0.46m | 7:09PM0.56m | 6:44AM0.34m | 7:33PM0.48m | 7:14AM0.23m | 7:53PM0.42m | ||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 28 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 |
Feels °C | 25 | 29 | 27 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 13 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
129 | 136 | 111 | 76 | 72 | 41 | 39 | 27 | 37 | 34 | 71 | 68 | 36 | 37 | 19 | 101 | 4 | 4 | 162 | 168 | 202 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 13 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | E 12 | SE 5 | S 8 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | E 11 | — | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | SE 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — |
— | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 25 | 24 | — | 8 | 20 | 11 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSE 5 | — | SE 5 | SE 4 | — | SE 12 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 5 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 44 | — | 13 | 13 | — | 84 | 29 | 59 | 35 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 73 | 4 | 61 | 126 | 0 | 11 | 73 | 11 | 52 | 28 | 0 | 4 | 182 | 52 | 0 | 128 | 121 | 61 | 133 | 28 |
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.











