BEACH & SEA FLOOR GUIDE // Volcanic North CoastIntermediate-Advanced / Pointbreak

Contreiras & Ribeira da Janela — Reef Mechanics, Channels & Wind Shadow

Two complementary setups side by side: surf low tide on the long left at Ribeira da Janela (up to 2m), then transition to Contreiras as the tide pushes from mid toward high.

TAKEOFF CAUTION: STEEP DROP OVER SHALLOW BOTTOM. WATCH YOUR DEPTH ON WIPEOUTS.

Intermediate-Advanced / Pointbreak · Max 4.5m

Swell: 1.5m – 3.6m

SWELL WINDOW

NNW / NW (315° – 350°)

Angle: 315° – 350°

WIND SHADOW & SHELTER

S / SW / WNW leve (10 kt NNW 331° referência clássica) (Offshore)

Trade Wind & Orographic Shelter

SUBSTRATE & DEPTH

River-Mouth Volcanic Boulders & Cobblestone Reef

Long Boulder Left Point (Janela) & Mid-to-High Peak (Contreiras)

SWELL CAPTURE (BLUE) & WIND SHADOW (EMERALD) COMPASS

Swell: 10° (N) · Wind: 331° (NNW)

HYDROGRAPHIC REFRACTION, TAKEOFF & EXIT CHANNEL PROFILE

Beach & Reef Bottom Profile

Wave Dynamics (Point Break): Long-period groundswell trains (10s+) undergo immediate refraction upon contacting the submarine volcanic shelf, concentrating 45 kJ of wave energy onto the takeoff bowl while peeling cleanly. The adjacent entry channel drains water smoothly without dragging surfers into the impact zone.

1. GOLDEN ENTRY & EXIT PROTOCOL

PERSONAL SESSION NOTE: Contreiras works from mid-tide to high-tide (reference session: 10 kt, NNW 331°, 3.6m swell — enter 2 hours before high tide and exit 50 minutes before full high tide). Ribeira da Janela works best at low tide and holds up to ~2.0m.

Max High Tide: {tide}m: 1.95m•Min Low Tide: {tide}m: 0.40m

2. LOCAL WATER HAZARDS