Camburi

Camburi Beach is on the north coast of São Paulo, in São Sebastião, separated from neighboring Camburizinho by a small peninsula of rocks that cuts much of the sea's force. The bottom is sand and the spot almost always has some sandbar working, whatever the swell direction, with the right end near the Cambaquara islet standing out, which helps shape the wave and opens an entry channel, along with the popular Vala da Praça in the middle of the beach, a local favorite.

At the left end, when the sea really rises, barrels roll in that attract bolder surfers, and the crowd is usually heavy, though calmer than at Maresias. The best conditions show up between May and August, when south and southeast swells arrive at full strength. It's worth walking along the sand and testing more than one sandbar before choosing where to paddle out, since the spot rarely goes flat.