Beaches in Brazil
Journalist and travel blogger
During my trip to Brazil, I think I spent more time on the beaches than anywhere else. In addition to magnificent landscapes, there is a truly special atmosphere, somewhere between party and relaxation, which makes you want to stay there all day. The Brazilian coast is spectacular, but some places stand out. Here is my selection of the most beautiful beaches of Brazil.
Among the most famous beaches are Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Porto de Galhinas near Recife, Morro de Sao Paulo off Salvador de Bahia and Jericoacoara further north of the country. If you are looking for more remote places where nature is more untamed, explore the beaches of Bahia do Sancho, Lopes Mendes, Praia Quatro Ilhas, Patacho, or Bahia do Espelho. Finally, enjoy the beaches of Canoa Quebrada, Ilha do Amor and Praia dos Golfinhos for their novelty. All you need to do to make the most of your dream location is decide on scuba diving, swimming, surfing or walking.
| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | Jul | August | sept. | Oct | nov. | dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature | 26° | 26° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 22° | 22° | 24° | 25° |
The most beautiful beaches
Praia dos Golfinhos
With golden sands and cliffs covered with lush vegetation, Praia dos Golfinhos is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, but also a special place for enthusiasts of marine life. More than just a beach, here you only need to watch the horizon to see dolphins or hire a boat to observe them closely and swim among them.
Diving
Ilha do Amor, Alter de Chao
In the small town of Alter do Chao, in the heart of the Amazon, there is a beautiful beach that bears the sweet name of the “Island of Love”. As if magically, the beach appears as the river floods and ebbs. Take a boat to arrive, and spend the whole day admiring the scenery or having lunch with your toes in the water.
Wild beach
Bahia do Espelho, Trancoso
Off the town of Trancoso, the “Mirror Bay " takes its name from the incredible purity of the water. Lined by a tropical forest of intense green, the horizon offers a variety of colours even the greatest painters could not imagine. By day you can enjoy these idyllic landscapes, and at night you can discover the festive atmosphere that animates the beach.
Wild beach | Surfing | Diving
Patacho
Located on the ecological route in Alagoas, Patacho beach offers a unique landscape thanks to its coconut forest which borders the shore. Transparent waters make natural pools appear and disappear with the movement of the tides. When tides are low, you may even see the coral reefs. Best of all, the beach is mostly deserted. It is therefore the ideal destination to rest, peacefully bathing and enjoying the view.
Diving
Praia Quatro Ilhas
Situated on the island of Santa Catarina, Quatro Ilha Beach forms part of the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve. This is the perfect haven to explore the flora and fauna of the seabed with nothing other than a simple diving mask. Wonderful views of the tropical forest, sand and pellucid water surround this aquatic idyll.
Diving | Surfing
Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande
Located on the Costa Verde, Ilha Grande’s beaches are a paean to nature. Among them, Lopes Mendes is the most spectacular of all. To gain access, take a boat trip or hike across land for two hours. When you arrive, the abundant forest that reveals a beach which appears never to have been visited.
Diving | Surfing
Canoa Quebrada
The unique and breathtaking landscape makes this beach among the most beautiful in Brazil. The crystalline waters are contrasted by the ochre hues of the cliffs. From the top of the cliffs, visit the small fishing village, and in the evening, watch the sunsets which bring such magic to the place.
Wild beach | Surfing | Diving
Jericoacoara
Authentic and wild, hidden within the dunes, the beaches of Jericoacoara are among the most beautiful and popular Brazilian beaches. With its bohemian atmosphere, this beach is ideal to feel cut off from the world. Watch the sunset between the sand dunes, sip a cocktail in a hammock, feet in the water, swim in clear seas, and even stumble across turtles.
Wild beach | Surfing | Diving
Porto de Galinhas
Located a few kilometers from Recife, Porto de Galinhas beach is one of the pearls of the Pernambuco region. With the rhythm of the tides, natural pools appear and disappear as if by magic. The water is transparent and inhabited by multicoloured fish that can be observed with nothing other than a simple diving mask. Enjoy a long walk at the water's edge between the coconut trees and take in the atmosphere around the kiosks on the beach.
Wild beach | Diving
Bahia de Sancho, Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its uniquely beautiful landscape forms part of a highly protected ecosystem. Sancho Bay is one of the most beautiful in the archipelago. Its crystal clear waters, its marine life and the surrounding natural environment are so magical that the bay has been voted "the most beautiful beach in the world”.
Wild beach | Diving
Copacabana and Ipanema
These are probably the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil. When you are planning a trip to Brazil, you immediately imagine yourself on these huge beaches with their immense waves, festive music, improvised games of volleyball or football, its mosaic paths and of course, the unmissable Sugarloaf Mountain. How could you resist?
Beach equipment | Surfing
Morro de Sao Paulo
Off Salvador de Bahia, you can visit an earthly paradise. The Morro de Sao Paulo is an idyllic island where every turn conceals a beach. White sand, warm and turquoise waters, palm trees and coconut palms - a picture perfect setting. Spend hours lounging by the water sipping from a freshly cut coconut or encountering fish while swimming. Just melt into the relaxing environment.
Wild beach | Diving
Journalist and travel blogger
Claire's review
Brazilian beaches are the most beautiful I have ever encountered. But the beauty of the landscape is not only visual, but also in its energy which mesmerises us. In Brazil, the beach is more than just a picture postcard setting, it is a second home. You are likely to meet whole families who come to spend the day with their cool boxes, sunshades and music.My advice to make the most of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil is to do as the Brazilians do: plan to spend a whole day there, but take the bare minimum with you. In this way, you can enjoy the landscape, follow the tides, walk in the nearby forests, swim surrounded by multicoloured fish, and especially, experience the festive and relaxed atmosphere which is so unique to Brazil. Sit around a table or sun lounger, in the shade, enjoy the local food and cocktails, and let yourself be carried away on the beautiful atmosphere.