Surf spot guide · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A consistent sand-bottom a-frame off Leblon's Posto 11 lifeguard tower, catching nearly every swell that reaches Rio.
Leblon Posto 11 is the open beach-break heart of Praia do Leblon, a sand-bottom peak off the number 11 lifeguard tower that throws short, quick lefts and rights on practically every swell that reaches Rio, whether east, southeast, south or southwest. The waves are hollow and punchy for a city beach, working from under a metre to around two, and the banks are sharpest at low tide with the early north to northeast breeze grooming the faces. It matters because it is the democratic side of Leblon: the rock-ledge rights at the Pontao on the west corner belong to a tight local crew, while the mid-beach peaks are where everyone else surfs, from first-timers to rippers, with one of the friendliest vibes among Rio's city breaks. Getting in is as simple as stepping off the promenade near the Jardim de Alah end of the beach. The reality is weekend crowds, rips between the banks, kites claiming the sky on southwest wind, and water that can turn dirty, with sewage infrastructure close by.
Short, sucky sand peaks below the Posto 11 tower that catch almost anything the Atlantic sends Rio.
You’re seeing the next 3 days. A free account opens all 14, which is the difference between checking tomorrow and planning a trip.
Midweek you often share the peaks with only a handful of surfers; weekends and any decent swell bring a proper crowd, plus kitesurfers downwind when the southwest blows.
Friendly, relaxed, urban
Rio de Janeiro
A beefy righthand point over a rock ledge at the west corner of Leblon, sheltered from west winds and holding swells well overhead.
Rio de Janeiro
A fickle city beach break: hollow, punchy peaks shift along postos 8 to 10 when winter swell finally builds the banks.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's big-wave laje: a rare, heavy right breaking over a flat rock slab off Vidigal when winter south swells hit hard.
+9 MORE →Best combination is low tide with an early north or northeast wind, before the sea breeze arrives.
It catches east, southeast, south and southwest swell, so check it even when the forecast looks marginal elsewhere.
On southwest wind the stretch fills with kitesurfers, so get your surf in early.
Midweek mornings are the quiet window; weekends get properly crowded.
Less experienced surfers should stay on these mid-beach peaks rather than chasing the locals' rights at the Pontao.
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Sewage treatment infrastructure sits right beside the beach and the water can get genuinely dirty at times.
Public city beach with instant access from the promenade at Posto 11; Jardim de Alah metro is the closest station.
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