Nearby Passagem do Maciambu 33 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
Builds from mid-morning and peaks in the early afternoon. Early mornings are often windless; the late afternoon softens again, which is when the schools put beginners on the water.
The wind
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
mixed
fills in: Builds from mid-morning and peaks in the early afternoon. Early mornings are often windless; the late afternoon softens again, which is when the schools put beginners on the water.
Typical strength
12-18 kt is the comfortable learning range. Spring brings gusts of 22-25 kt, and forecast days of 24-27 kt with higher gusts happen.
Thermal or synoptic
thermal summer northeast plus synoptic cold fronts
The quiver, in words
For a Florianopolis-area trip 12 m and 9 m covers most intermediate riders, 7-9 m or 10 m for lighter riders; on a 24-27 kt day a 75 kg rider is on about 9 m.
Direction to shore
varies between lagoon launch points; ocean Barra is SE-facing, so NE is generally cross/cross-off and S/SW can be cross/cross-on depending on exact launch
Dominant direction
NE/NNE in the spring-summer thermal season; S/SW with cold fronts
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan, riders' month49
- Feb, riders' month42
- Mar, riders' month56
- Apr, riders' month61
- May61
- Jun49
- Jul55
- Aug65
- Sep, riders' month72
- Oct, riders' month67
- Nov, riders' month73
- Dec, riders' month62
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
- 12Jan24°
- 11Feb25°
- 12Mar24°
- 12Apr23°
- 12May22°
- 11Jun20°
- 12Jul18°
- 13Aug18°
- 14Sep19°
- 13Oct20°
- 13Nov22°
- 13Dec22°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49% | 11.6 kt | NE | 24.3°C | 23.7°C |
| Feb | 42% | 10.9 kt | NNE | 24.5°C | 25.1°C |
| Mar | 56% | 11.7 kt | NNE | 24°C | 23.8°C |
| Apr | 61% | 11.7 kt | NNE | 21.5°C | 23.2°C |
| May | 61% | 11.6 kt | NNE | 18.9°C | 22.3°C |
| Jun | 49% | 10.7 kt | NNE | 16.9°C | 20.2°C |
| Jul | 55% | 11.5 kt | NNE | 16.4°C | 17.5°C |
| Aug | 65% | 12.9 kt | NNE | 16.6°C | 18°C |
| Sep | 72% | 13.8 kt | NNE | 18.5°C | 18.9°C |
| Oct | 67% | 13.1 kt | NNE | 19.7°C | 20.2°C |
| Nov | 73% | 13.4 kt | NNE | 21.2°C | 21.5°C |
| Dec | 62% | 13.1 kt | NNE | 22.9°C | 22.1°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
lagoon
Standing depth
0.5-1.7 m reported for the lagoon
Tides
Lagoon level and the opening of the Barra de Ibiraquera are managed separately from normal beach tide conditions; no kite-specific tide rule on record.
Temperature
24.4°C summer · 17.8°C winter
Wetsuit
Boardshorts or light top in summer; 3/2 mm wetsuit commonly needed in winter.
Currents
The lagoon itself is still water. The exception is the sand bar at Barra: when it is cut open the lagoon drains to the sea through a narrow channel, uncontrolled openings have been linked to fatal accidents in the past, and the flow there is not something to ride near.Ask whether the bar is open before you go anywhere close to the mouth.
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
2 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: The middle stretch of the lagoon is the widest, has the steadiest wind and nothing downwind to hit; the upper section is quieter, the lower section more technical. Barra wave peaks get contested on a good swell day. No official measurement of launch space exists.
Somewhere else
Passagem do Maciambu, 33 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Lagoon launches around Lagoa de Ibiraquera and Barra de Ibiraquera, where the schools rig; the ocean side launches off the sandy Barra/Praia de Ibiraquera beach.
Space
The middle stretch of the lagoon is the widest, has the steadiest wind and nothing downwind to hit; the upper section is quieter, the lower section more technical. Barra wave peaks get contested on a good swell day. No official measurement of launch space exists.
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Learn on the lagoon; ride Barra only if you already handle waves, and expect the peaks to be contested on a good swell.
- Ask whether the bar is open before you plan a session; it changes how the water moves at the lagoon mouth.
- Bring a 9 m or smaller for front days and the 22-25 kt spring gusts; the 12 m only covers the 12-18 kt learning days.
- Rig in the middle stretch of the lagoon: widest section, steadiest wind, nothing downwind to hit.
- Check the wind angle at your launch; NE is cross to cross-off at the SE-facing Barra, and ask the school which lagoon shore they are using that day.
- Hire a car; lagoon, Barra and Praia do Rosa are separate drives, and FLN is about 90 minutes north on BR-101.
Getting there
Airport
Florianopolis Hercilio Luz International Airport (FLN)
Route
Drive south from Florianopolis via BR-101 toward Imbituba/Praia do Rosa/Barra de Ibiraquera; a car is useful for switching between lagoon, Barra and Praia do Rosa/Luz.
Transfer
90 min
Cost level
medium
Staying
Pousadas, guesthouses and boutique stays around Barra de Ibiraquera, Ibiraquera and Praia do Rosa, some very close to the beach and lagoon.
No-wind days
Surf at Praia do Rosa/Barra, SUP and kayaking on the lagoon, coastal walks/trails, whale watching in the July-November season, restaurants at Barra/Praia do Rosa.
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kitesurf at Lagoa de Ibiraquera?
The main season runs September to April, with November to February described as the strongest period.
Is Lagoa de Ibiraquera suitable for beginners?
Yes, the shallow flat lagoon is considered one of the best learning environments in southern Brazil, used only in manageable wind and with instruction.
What is the wind like?
Northeast to north-northeast thermal wind dominates the spring-summer season, while south to southwest cold fronts bring stronger, colder sessions.
Are there kite schools nearby?
Yes, IKC - Ibiraquera Kite Center and local instructors operate at Barra de Ibiraquera.
Last updated: August 2026