Praia Mole and Joaquina
The two surf beaches on the east coast, between green hills.
Duration
3 hrs – 6 hrs
Best time
In the morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
Praia Mole and Joaquina are the two surf beaches on the island's east coast, separated by a headland. They take the South Atlantic swell without protection, which gives powerful waves and real currents.
Joaquina has hosted international tour events and its wave is the more consistent; Praia Mole is more sheltered by its green hills and serves as the gathering beach. Joaquina's sand feeds the dunes behind it, where people sandboard down — the wind carries sand inland from the beach continuously.
Getting there
East coast of the island, twenty minutes by bus from Lagoa da Conceição.
What to bring
- Swimsuit
- Board
Rules on site
Rip currents are strong on both beaches and lifeguards are only on duty in high season: swim between the flags when there are any. The dune sand burns in the middle of the day.