Praia Negra
Praia Negra (Black Beach) on Santiago Island gets its name from the dark volcanic sand. The beach offers a range of conditions—heavy and hollow in winter when big NW swells arrive, but more forgiving in summer. The main island of Cape Verde offers a more authentic experience than tourist-focused Sal.
Praia Negra surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 315° - 30°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
24°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Wide beach. Heavy in winter, beginner-friendly summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Praia Negra?
Praia Negra is a reef break in Santiago, Cape Verde, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Praia Negra?
Praia Negra picks up swell from the NW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Praia Negra?
An E wind is dead offshore at Praia Negra, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Praia Negra?
Praia Negra is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Praia Negra?
The most reliable run of swell at Praia Negra comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Winter NW swells. Wide beach. Heavy in winter.
How cold is the water at Praia Negra?
The water at Praia Negra averages around 24°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Praia Negra 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Wide beach. Heavy in winter, beginner-friendly summer.
How do I get to Praia Negra?
The nearest airport on our list is RAI, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Wide beach. Heavy in winter, beginner-friendly summer.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Winter NW swells. Wide beach. Heavy in winter.
Getting There
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