10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Prainha, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Prainha is Rio de Janeiro's most consistent quality surf spot, a crescent-shaped beach nestled in the Atlantic Forest reserve west of the city. The wave breaks over a mix of sand and rock, producing powerful peaks that can handle solid S and SW swells without closing out. The setting is stunning - dense green jungle tumbles down to the beach, making it feel a world away from the urban chaos just 30 minutes back toward the city. The local crew is experienced and the vibe is more serious than Rio's tourist beaches.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-09 with a score of 81/100 (Firing)
Moderate recommendation: Prainha has 1 Firing day(s) and 1 Good day(s). Worth considering.
Moderate alignment: Swell from 180° is 22° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.2m is 0.8m from ideal 1.9m.
Good period: 13s is 93% of ideal 14s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 23° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Surfable but not special at Prainha. The 1.2m swell from 180° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 180° (S) at 13s period
No alignment: Swell from 95° is outside workable range 157°-247°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.1m is 0.8m from ideal 1.9m.
Short period: 9s is below minimum 10s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 4° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Poor conditions at Prainha. Either swell direction (95°), size (1.1m), or wind (15 km/h from 4°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 95° (E) at 9s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
No alignment: Swell from 89° is outside workable range 157°-247°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 0.9m is 1.0m from ideal 1.9m.
Short period: 8s is below minimum 10s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Moderate offshore: 18 km/h from 325° (NW). Still grooming but noticeable wind.
Poor conditions at Prainha. Either swell direction (89°), size (0.9m), or wind (18 km/h from 325°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 89° (E) at 8s period
Good alignment: Swell from 197° is 5° off optimal 202°, still within prime range.
Marginal size: 1.6m is 0.3m from ideal 1.9m.
Moderate period: 11s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 88° (E). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Poor conditions at Prainha. Either swell direction (197°), size (1.6m), or wind (13 km/h from 88°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 197° (SSW) at 11s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 194° is 8° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Good size: 2.2m is within 15% of ideal 1.9m.
Perfect period: 14s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Strong offshore: 21 km/h from 303° (WNW). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Excellent conditions at Prainha. The 2.2m swell from 194° aligns well with the spot, and offshore winds are grooming the face. Worth planning a trip around this.
2.2m (7.2ft) swell from 194° (SSW) at 14s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 183° is 19° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 123° (ESE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Surfable but not special at Prainha. The 2.2m swell from 183° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.2m (7.2ft) swell from 183° (S) at 12s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 190° is 12° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Too big: 3.2m exceeds maximum 3.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 190° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Poor conditions at Prainha. Either swell direction (190°), size (3.2m), or wind (20 km/h from 190°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
3.2m (10.5ft) swell from 190° (S) at 12s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 191° is 11° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 2.7m is 0.8m from ideal 1.9m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 145° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Surfable but not special at Prainha. The 2.7m swell from 191° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.7m (8.9ft) swell from 191° (S) at 11s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 185° is 17° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Perfect size: 2.4m is at the sweet spot (ideal: 1.9m).
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 76° (ENE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Surfable but not special at Prainha. The 2.4m swell from 185° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.4m (7.9ft) swell from 185° (S) at 13s period
Good size: 2.3m is within 15% of ideal 1.9m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 10 km/h from 82° (E). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 270°-360°.
Good surfable conditions at Prainha. 2.3m swell from 180° with manageable wind. Solid session guaranteed.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 180° (S) at 14s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)