Nearby Praia do Foguete 20 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
No onset time is published for this spot.
The wind
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
mixed
Typical strength
15-25
Thermal or synoptic
thermal northeast sea breeze plus synoptic fronts
The quiver, in words
Normal freeride sizes for 15-25 kt; no local quiver advice on record.
Direction to shore
NE/E on the north/northeast-facing side of the Buzios peninsula, so usable most of the season; the exact angle changes along the curved 8 km beach.
Dominant direction
NE/E
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan, riders' month34
- Feb28
- Mar23
- Apr20
- May19
- Jun25
- Jul, riders' month15
- Aug, riders' month37
- Sep, riders' month73
- Oct, riders' month40
- Nov, riders' month35
- Dec, riders' month27
windy days per month (3 h+ at 12 kn+)
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Jan, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
- 34%Jan24°
- 28%Feb25°
- 23%Mar25°
- 20%Apr25°
- 19%May24°
- 25%Jun23°
- 15%Jul23°
- 37%Aug22°
- 73%Sep23°
- 40%Oct23°
- 35%Nov24°
- 27%Dec24°
windy days per month (3 h+ at 12 kn+) · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Windy days | Force 4+ | 12 kn or more | Knots | From | Peaks at | Air | Water | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34% | 48% | 42% | 11.2 kt | NE | 15:00 | 25.6°C | 23.8°C | 62 |
| Feb | 28% | 47% | 35% | 10.7 kt | NE | 14:00 | 26.3°C | 25.1°C | 57 |
| Mar | 23% | 50% | 37% | 11 kt | ENE | 14:00 | 26.2°C | 25.4°C | 62 |
| Apr | 20% | 33% | 27% | 9.9 kt | E | 15:00 | 24.8°C | 25.1°C | 60 |
| May | 19% | 44% | 31% | 10.4 kt | ENE | 15:00 | 23.3°C | 24°C | 62 |
| Jun | 25% | 40% | 30% | 10.4 kt | NE | 14:00 | 22.2°C | 23.3°C | 60 |
| Jul | 15% | 42% | 27% | 10.3 kt | ENE | 15:00 | 21.9°C | 22.7°C | 62 |
| Aug | 37% | 63% | 50% | 12.2 kt | NE | 15:00 | 21.8°C | 22.4°C | 62 |
| Sep | 73% | 83% | 80% | 15.1 kt | ENE | 15:00 | 22.8°C | 22.6°C | 60 |
| Oct | 40% | 60% | 53% | 12.4 kt | NE | 14:00 | 23.9°C | 23°C | 62 |
| Nov | 35% | 60% | 48% | 12.1 kt | NE | 15:00 | 24.4°C | 23.6°C | 60 |
| Dec | 27% | 47% | 37% | 11.3 kt | ENE | 14:00 | 25.4°C | 23.7°C | 62 |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from the operational forecast archive at 1.5–7 km (2023-2024), daylight hours only, not a ground station: it resolves thermal, lake and valley winds far better than coarse reanalysis but still tends to understate a strong local thermal. A windy day has at least three consecutive daylight hours at 12 knots or more. 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.
High-resolution weather model (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical forecast archive — best-match operational model (ICON-D2 / AROME / ICON-EU / GFS by region), not a ground station · 2023-2024
The water
Type
sea
Standing depth
Wide, shallow bay water, shallow enough to wade a long way out, which is why the sailing and the lessons happen here at all. How far the standing depth actually runs at Manguinhos has never been published, and it changes along the 8 km curve.
Tides
Two highs and two lows a day and a small range: about 1.1 m on a middling coefficient, a little over that on springs. On a shallow bay beach that changes how far the wadeable shelf runs and where you rig, but it does not open or close the spot.Figures are for the Buzios tide station, not measured on this beach.
Temperature
24-28°C summer · 18-22°C winter
Wetsuit
Usually boardshorts/lycra in summer; shorty or light wetsuit can help in winter or after fronts.
Currents
Buzios gets warm Equatorial/Brazil-current water and colder water from the south, which is why the temperature swings; current strength at Manguinhos itself is unconfirmed.
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
4 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: Variable along the 8 km beach; broader near less-developed sections and more constrained around Porto da Barra and the pier.
Somewhere else
Praia do Foguete, 20 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Beach launch wherever you can reach the sand along Manguinhos; the beach is long but cut up by the built-up waterfront, restaurants and the sailing club.
Space
Variable along the 8 km beach; broader near less-developed sections and more constrained around Porto da Barra and the pier.
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Choose the launch by wind angle and access, because the beach curves and developed sections can reduce space.
- Avoid setting up in crowded Porto da Barra or pier areas unless local riders confirm it is allowed.
- If learning, check whether the school is operating from Manguinhos itself or nearby Praia Rasa.
Getting there
Airport
Rio de Janeiro airports (GIG/SDU) for most visitors; Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) is closer but has fewer flights.
Route
Buzios is about 172 km from Rio de Janeiro, about 2h30 by car. The access streets to Manguinhos run off Avenida Jose Bento Ribeiro Dantas.
Transfer
150 min
Cost level
medium to high
Staying
Wide Buzios accommodation base, including beachfront or near-beach pousadas around Manguinhos/Praia Rasa and higher-end options near Porto da Barra.
No-wind days
Buzios beaches · boat tours · snorkeling/diving · Porto da Barra restaurants · surf on the open-ocean side when swell is running
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kite at Praia de Manguinhos?
The most reliable wind runs from July to January, when northeast winds typically blow 15 to 25 knots on the north/northeast-facing side of the Búzios peninsula.
Is Praia de Manguinhos suitable for beginners?
Manguinhos is used by riders of all levels, but nearby Praia Rasa is specifically promoted for beginners because of its shallow water and gentler wind angle.
What is the water like at Manguinhos?
It is a bay-side beach with calmer, shallower water than the open-ocean beaches on the other side of the peninsula, though conditions vary along the 8 km shoreline.
What hazards should riders watch for?
Boats, sailing traffic, and restricted access near Porto da Barra and the Manguinhos pier are the main things to navigate around.
Are there kite schools nearby?
Yes, including Buzios Kitesurfing School and Rancho da Rasa Kite School.
Last updated: August 2026