Silveira Canto Direito

The right end of Silveira Beach, in Garopaba, on the south coast of Santa Catarina, is considered by many to be the best beach for surfing in Brazil, having hosted major national and international championships. The bottom is rock and the spot holds waves from 2 to 12 feet, with the right end being the best place to position yourself on strong swell days, requiring big boards and plenty of paddling on the most extreme days.

At the south end, the rock bottom challenges experienced surfers, while the middle of the beach, nicknamed Mike Tyson by locals, offers strong, barreling, heavy waves for those chasing adrenaline. Silveira gained notoriety in the 1980s as the setting of the classic Brazilian film Garota Dourada, and the area preserves a strong Azorean heritage in its customs and in the houses around it. During May and June, surfers share the water with fishermen heading out for the mullet season, so it's worth checking whether the beach is open before planning the trip.