Fortaleza Iracema
Fortaleza Iracema is an urban reef break in Ceará's capital, offering hollow, powerful waves over a flat rock shelf. The wave can be fast and punchy when NE swells arrive, and the city setting means easy access to food, lodging, and nightlife. Booties are recommended due to the sharp reef.
Fortaleza Iracema surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (67°)
- Direction range
- 22° - 112°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.4m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (202°)
- Offshore range
- 157° - 247°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
5/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Fortaleza Iracema?
Fortaleza Iracema is a reef break in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Fortaleza Iracema?
Fortaleza Iracema picks up swell from the NNE round to the ESE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ENE. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.4 to 1.7m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Fortaleza Iracema?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Fortaleza Iracema, and anything from the SSE round to the WSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Fortaleza Iracema?
Fortaleza Iracema is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Fortaleza Iracema?
The most reliable run of swell at Fortaleza Iracema comes Nov to Mar. N/NE swells December-March.
How cold is the water at Fortaleza Iracema?
The water at Fortaleza Iracema averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Fortaleza Iracema good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Flat rock reef - booties recommended.
How do I get to Fortaleza Iracema?
The nearest airport on our list is FOR, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Fortaleza Iracema?
The closest breaks we track are Taíba (50 km), handy when Fortaleza Iracema isn't working. Fun fact: it's the third most northerly break we track in Brazil.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
N/NE swells December-March