Atalaia Itajaí

Atalaia Beach is in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, attached to the Molhes da Barra, the breakwater that guides ships and fishing boats at the mouth of the Itajaí-açu river. The bottom is sand shaped by the presence of the jetty, which guarantees regular waves much of the year and good lefts when the swell comes from the southeast, at an intermediate-level spot.

It usually draws a lot of people in summer, when tourists and surfers from all over the region pack the sand, and it hosts local championships such as Molhes in Vibe. Atalaia is a world reference for night surfing thanks to the special lighting installed along the jetty, which makes the beach a busy point even after dark. It's worth trying a night session under the floodlights, or arriving early on southeast swell days to get the emptier spot.