Madeiro is a beautiful beach in the Pipa area famous for its resident spinner dolphins that often surf alongside humans. The beach produces mellow rights over a mix of rock and sand, protected from S winds by the surrounding cliffs. The combination of consistent waves, dolphins, and natural beauty makes it one of the most magical surf experiences in Brazil.
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Cliff staircase access
Madeiro is a beach break in Pipa, RN, Brazil, that mostly breaks right.
Madeiro picks up swell from the ENE round to the ESE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 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.
A S wind is dead offshore at Madeiro, and anything from the SE round to the SW 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.
Madeiro is at its best around the mid to high tide.
The most reliable run of swell at Madeiro comes Apr to Sep. Best with E swells.
The water at Madeiro averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Cliff access.
The nearest airport on our list is NAT, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Cliff staircase access.
The closest breaks we track are Praia do Amor (1.3 km), Pipa Lajão (2.1 km) and Cacimbinha (2.9 km), handy when Madeiro isn't working.
Peak: Apr-Sep
Best with E swells
❤️ Heart-shaped cove • Dramatic cliff access • Dolphin sightings
➡️ Right point • Longer rides • Rocky quality
🪂 Paraglider launch point • Uncrowded peaks • Pipa alternative
🏜️ Dune landscape • Headland reefs • Scenic setting
🏖️ Natal's main beach • Morro do Careca backdrop • Surf hub