Gostoso means tasty in Portuguese, and after one season here you will not argue with the name. It is a town of fishing boats and small guesthouses on the Rio Grande do Norte coast north of Natal, and the wind is why most riders find it. Low houses a few streets back from the sea, and a beach of clean sand that runs for two or three kilometres with nothing on it to hit.
Slow down on the walk to the water and see what it is doing.
The trade blows from the east and south-east, from the right as you look out to sea, and Dr. Wind puts the season average at 18 to 25 knots.
Not yet checked against a weather station or an independent model, so treat these figures as a guide.
At a glance
Is it for you?
Skill levelGetting there
WaterMixed bag
Wind · DecUsually turns up
Crowds · DecHeavy in season
Local vibeWelcoming
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeA bar or two
CostMid
Geek analysis
December in the record
96% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In December the wind most often sits at 12 to 15 kt (58% of daylight hours) and is over 12 kt from 8am to 6pm on at least half the days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
December on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days30 of 31Nine Decembers in the record
Wind, rideable hours15 ktMean over daylight hours at 12 kt+
Air31.7°CMaximum
Take it with you
The full São Miguel do Gostoso report
Seven sections over six pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide windows05Reef, sandbank & currents06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits
WindChaser spot reportSão Miguel do GostosoRio Grande do Norte, Brazil · December96% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Sep · Medium
Busiest from November to January, with Christmas and New Year the peak, and quietest from June to August. Even in the rush the main beach runs for two to three kilometres, so there is usually room to spread out and find your own patch of water.
On the water
What December usually does
Wind directionE to SEFrom the right as you face the sea. Most sources call it side-shore; one says side-onshore, another side-offshore.
Wind strength18 to 25 ktDr. Wind’s season average, and plenty of power with it. Rig for the mean, not the biggest gust.
When it blowsTen till fiveBuilds from about ten, fills in by midday and eases from half past four, in time for sunset.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
Launch
Hazard
Parking
School
Stay
Webcam
Approximate
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Nearest airportNatal (NAT)About 100 km by road, an hour and a half to two hours.
On the groundSeptember to DecemberStrong months in the record, after the July and August swing to the south.
Getting aroundRoad from NatalTransfer or hire car from the airport. Pousadas near Santo Cristo are a short walk from the beach.
