Kitesurfing, wing foiling and foiling at Barra Grande

The management plan of the APA Delta do Parnaíba says kitesurfing is growing fast here because the wind is considered exceptional, and adds a photo of kitesurfers on the beach at Barra Grande. The beach faces north-north-west, so north-west to north is onshore and north-east and west-north-west come in side-on, while east and west blow cross-shore, as does the trade wind, which comes from the east-north-east here according to the models. East-south-east and south-west already come side-off the land, and from south-east to south the wind blows offshore and Windulu gives a no-go. At Parnaíba airport the trade wind blows from September to January, strongest in October. At spring tide the range reaches 3.2 metres, and a spot guide names low tide as the best time, although the water can then get too shallow. Windulu does not show live data here.

Barra Grande lies in the APA Delta do Parnaíba: in river mouths you may only sail through and not manoeuvre, and sailing sports are prohibited on the Rio Carpina (manatees) and at the freshwater springs in the sea. Source: ICMBio, management plan of the APA Delta do Parnaíba (Portaria 827/2020), rules 17 and 24.

Wind directions & safety

The open water at Barra Grande faces NNW (344°). The safest wind directions to get on the water here are north, northeast and northwest (onshore or cross-onshore). With the wind from the east, southwest and west, it runs cross to cross-offshore: doable, but mind your position and don't go alone. With the wind from the southeast and south, it blows offshore and is dangerous: you'll be pushed off the beach onto open water (no-go).

On this page you'll find the live wind, the hourly forecast and a personal go/no-go for Barra Grande, plus your ideal kite or wing size and (where available) a live beach webcam. Wind data: GEM via Open-Meteo.