Beaches in Brazil
Including Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos, and Lagoa do Paraíso. On the map.
The vibe
The coastline here feels like a vast, living extension of the local social fabric, where the sand is as much a place for morning exercise as it is for afternoon drinks. You will find that the vibe shifts dramatically from bustling urban stretches lined with kiosks to raw, windswept dunes that require a long walk to reach. It is a year-round pursuit, though the heat is most manageable during the milder months when the humidity finally breaks.
Baía do Sancho
Rio de Janeiro
Grandmaster Huon / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
A secluded crescent beneath tall cliffs on Fernando de Noronha, with vivid white sand and some of Brazil's clearest water. Accessed by ladder and trail, it feels remote and pristine. Regularly rated among the world's most beautiful beaches.
Access. Flight to Fernando de Noronha, park permit required; steep stairs and trail from Belvedere lookout. Limited daily visitors; plan ahead.
Notes. Park visitor limits and fees; no facilities on the sand; strong sun exposure.
Baía dos Porcos, Fernando de Noronha
Pernambuco
Daniel Albuquerque da Silva / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Framed by dramatic black volcanic rock walls and the iconic Dois Irmãos islets, this intimate emerald cove offers some of the clearest snorkeling waters in the Atlantic. The dramatic cliff backdrop makes it one of the most photographed viewpoints in Brazil.
Access. Reached via a short rocky trail from Cacimba do Padre beach on Fernando de Noronha island.
Notes. Access can be restricted during turtle nesting periods or high tide conditions.
Lagoa do Paraíso, Jericoacoara
Ceará
Claudio Oliveira Lim… / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A stunning freshwater lagoon featuring crystal-clear turquoise shallows and famous hammock seating suspended directly over the water. While technically a lagoon shore rather than an ocean beach, it provides the ultimate tropical swimming and lounging experience.
Access. Easily reached via buggy tours or 4x4 trucks operating out of nearby Jericoacoara village.
Notes. Calm, wave-free fresh water makes it ideal for relaxing and family swimming all day.
Praia da Ponta Negra, Manaus
Amazonas
Madison L. Pereira / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A popular urban river beach along the Negro River featuring dark waters and a scenic boardwalk backdrop. Visitors enjoy sunset views over the river and cooling off in designated swimming zones.
Access. Easily reached by taxi or public bus from downtown Manaus. Features a well-developed promenade with food stalls and facilities.
Notes. Swimming is regulated due to river depth and current fluctuations.
Praia de Atafona, São João da Barra
Rio de Janeiro
Alessandrocbs / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
An expansive stretch of coastal sand in Rio de Janeiro state known for its powerful Atlantic waves and dynamic coastline. It offers a dramatic, windswept setting for long walks and ocean views.
Access. Accessible by road from Campos dos Goytacazes or São João da Barra with local amenities nearby.
Notes. Known for significant coastal erosion where abandoned beachfront structures stand in the surf.
Praia de Jericoacoara, Ceará
Ceará
Gerson Vieira Albuquerque Neto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A legendary beach village nestled among shifting coastal dunes where the desert meets the warm Atlantic. Visitors enjoy expansive golden shorelines, shallow crystalline lagoons, and world-renowned sunset viewpoints.
Access. Accessible via 4x4 buggy or specialized transfer vehicles across the surrounding sand dunes from the mainland.
Notes. Constant coastal winds make it a global hub for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Praia de Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande
Rio de Janeiro
Nathan Chor / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Widely celebrated as one of Brazil's finest shores, Lopes Mendes delivers a sweeping expanse of pristine white sand and powerful rolling surf backed by lush Atlantic rainforest. The crystalline waters shift between deep blues and emerald greens, creating a breathtaking tropical idyll.
Access. Accessible via boat from Abraão to Pouso village followed by a scenic 25-minute jungle trail hike. Completely undeveloped with no permanent structures.
Notes. Strong rip currents make caution necessary when swimming in the outer surf; bring all water and provisions.
Praia de São Pedro, Guarujá
São Paulo
JMGM / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tucked inside a private ecological reserve, São Pedro boasts golden sand, clear rolling waves, and a pristine backdrop of thick coastal forest. It offers a cleaner, more natural alternative to busier mainland city beaches.
Access. Reached through a gated residential and ecological reserve with limited daily vehicle parking capacity.
Notes. Arrive early during summer weekends as park rangers cap visitor numbers to protect the ecosystem.
Praia do Amor, Pipa
Rio Grande do Norte
Gustavo Mitilene Cordeiro / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A heart-shaped cove flanked by dramatic red cliffs and lush Atlantic forest in Rio Grande do Norte. The beach offers powerful waves favored by surfers and a scenic, secluded atmosphere away from the main village.
Access. Reached via a short cliffside trail or a walk along the sand from Pipa center at low tide.
Notes. Check tide schedules as parts of the access path are submerged at high tide.
Praia do Bonete, Ilhabela
São Paulo
Jmdelboux / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A remote, traditional fishing community beach framed by dense Atlantic rainforest and powerful surf breaks. The rustic vibe and golden sand beach offer an authentic escape from urban life.
Access. Reachable either by a rugged 4-hour jungle trekking trail or via local motorized wooden boats from Ilhabela town.
Notes. Mosquitoes ('borrachudos') are prevalent; bring strong insect repellent.
Praia do Centro, Pipa
Rio Grande do Norte
Lessa.danilo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A vibrant beach nestled beneath reddish sandstone cliffs that glow brilliantly in the late afternoon sun. Golden sands and warm Atlantic rollers create a lively atmosphere right next to the bohemian village center.
Access. A short walk down from the clifftop center of Pipa village via stairs or pathways.
Notes. Tide changes significantly alter the available shoreline width.
Praia do Forno
Rio de Janeiro
CASSIO AVILA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A small pocket of strikingly white sand near Arraial do Cabo, where emerald water meets pale dunes and limestone cliffs. The cove is compact but the sand color and water clarity are exceptional. A standout on Brazil's Costa do Sol.
Access. Boat tour from Arraial do Cabo or short trail over the headland; no direct road to the sand. Popular on summer boat circuits.
Notes. Small beach fills quickly in peak season; boat-only access for most visitors.
Praia do Frances, Alagoas
Alagoas
Feephe / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A versatile coastal gem featuring a protected reef side with calm, pool-like turquoise water ideal for swimming, and an outer ocean side with powerful surfing waves. The vibrant shoreline is lined with palms and lively beach bars.
Access. A straightforward 30-minute drive south from Maceió with ample parking and tourist infrastructure.
Notes. The reef-sheltered lagoon side is best for relaxed swimming, while the outer break suits experienced surfers.
Praia do Futuro, Fortaleza
Ceará
jjandson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A vibrant urban beach in Ceará famous for its massive beach huts (barracas) serving fresh seafood and coconut water. The steady ocean breeze and golden sand make it a prime spot for daytime lounging and kite-adjacent beach life.
Access. Short taxi or bus ride from central Fortaleza; fully developed with extensive tourist infrastructure.
Notes. Certain sections can have strong currents, so swimming near lifeguards is recommended.
Praia do Gunga, Alagoas
Alagoas
Bruna Leone Gagetti / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A breathtaking coconut-lined peninsula where a calm lagoon meets the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can relax on golden sand, swim in warm, shallow waters, or take buggy rides through nearby towering white cliffs.
Access. Accessible by car via a scenic coconut grove route or by boat tours departing from Roteiro.
Notes. Can get busy with day-trippers during weekends and holidays.
Praia do Madeiro, Pipa
Rio Grande do Norte
Gustavo Mitilene Cordeiro / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A stunning crescent beach backed by towering green cliffs where wild dolphins frequently swim close to the shore. Soft golden sand and warm turquoise waters make it a premier swimming and relaxation spot in Rio Grande do Norte.
Access. Accessed via a long wooden staircase built into the lush cliffside from the main coastal road above.
Notes. Dolphin sightings are common in the early morning hours.
Praia do Patacho, Alagoas
Alagoas
Edson Carvalho (3d50n) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
An untouched palm-fringed paradise on the Coral Coast featuring powder-soft sand and tranquil, bath-warm turquoise pools at low tide. The pristine environment offers a serene escape away from mass tourism.
Access. Easily reached by car from Porto de Pedras or as a day trip from Maceió. Facilities are low-key and eco-conscious.
Notes. Swimming and natural pool formations are best timed with the low tide schedule.
Praia dos Carneiros, Tamandaré
Pernambuco
Fronteira / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Famous for its postcard-perfect beachfront church and calm, glass-like turquoise waters sheltered by offshore coral reefs. Tall coconut palms lean gracefully over the wide strip of light golden sand.
Access. Reachable by car from Recife or via catamaran boat tours that stop at the sandbanks and mud baths.
Notes. Best experienced at low tide when natural swimming pools emerge close to the shore.