Ervatao

The wind generally arrives side-off at Ervatao, perfect for riding the bay safely without risking going offshore. The launch is directly on the fine sandy beach, with a wide and obstacle-free take-off area. The navigation area is vast in the bay, flat as a lake in normal conditions, ideal for long runs of several kilometers.

At low tide, the water remains flat but the shallow water facilitates quick re-launches. At high tide, it gains a bit in depth without changing the glassy character of the spot. Be cautious on days with swell where a wave forms on a reef offshore, accessible to intermediates and advanced for strapless or surfing. Local schools can organize downwinds to other nearby bays like Varandinha.

The spot is south-facing, so the dominant offshore wind cleans the water surface, but it can switch to side-on at the end of the beach to boost jumps. Local feature: the long access on sandy tracks requires a good vehicle, and the lack of amenities on-site means you need to come prepared.