Paraty guide · Beaches and islands

Beaches and islands: Paraty's coastal paradise

Paraty Bay has around 60 beaches and dozens of islands, and most of them can only be reached by boat. That is what makes the difference: here a beach day usually starts at the quay, a few minutes' walk from the hotel.

The Cachadaço natural pool: pale green water between rocky shores, in Trindade — The Cachadaço natural pool, in Trindade. Photo: Gustavo Juliette / Unsplash

Near the hotel, no boat needed

Praia do Pontal. It is in our neighbourhood, on the other side of the bridge that leads to the historic centre. Kiosks, live music in the late afternoon, kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire: this is the beach for a stroll and a drink looking out over the bay.

Praia do Jabaquara. About 1.5 km from the centre, past the Forte Defensor Perpétuo; you can get there from the hotel on foot, by bike or by car. The sea is very calm and shallow, good for stand-up paddle and kayaking, with restaurants and kiosks. The water is less clear because of the mangrove next to it. On Carnival Saturday this is where the Bloco da Lama gathers.

Trindade

About 25 km away, towards São Paulo, Trindade is Paraty's open-sea side: a caiçara village (caiçara is the local coastal fishing culture), clear water and rocky shores. Go by car (private car parks in the village) or on the Colitur bus from the bus station; tour coaches and vans are not allowed in.

Praia do Cepilho, the first one, is known for surfing.
Praia de Fora (or dos Ranchos) and Praia do Meio, the latter a calm, shallow cove, good for swimming without waves.
Piscina Natural do Cachadaço: a saltwater pool among the rocks, no more than a metre deep, great for mask and snorkel. You reach it on a short trail from Praia do Meio (about half an hour, with rocks and slippery stretches) or on a small boat that leaves from Praia do Meio and takes a few minutes. Go at low tide: when the sea is rough, the pool disappears.

Praia do Meio, the Cachadaço and the pool lie inside the Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina, the only stretch of sea in the national park.

Paraty-Mirim and the Saco do Mamanguá

Paraty-Mirim is about 17 km away, with the last few kilometres on a dirt road. Calm sea, an old church right by the beach and the pier where the boats leave for the Mamanguá.

Saco do Mamanguá is a narrow arm of the sea, about 8 km long, between mountains, with around 30 small beaches and a mangrove at the far end. Many people call it "Brazil's only tropical fjord"; the correct term is ria, but the scenery justifies the nickname. From the Paraty-Mirim pier it is about 15 minutes by motorboat (agree the price with the boatmen), or go by boat from Paraty.

If you like a climb: the Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá trail starts at Praia do Cruzeiro, is just over 1 km long with about an hour of steep ascent, and ends at one of the most beautiful views in the region. Not every boat trip leaves time for the trail; arrange it beforehand.

Four friends jumping on the summit of the Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá, with the inlet and mountains behind — At the top: the Saco do Mamanguá seen from the Pão de Açúcar.

Boat trips from the quay

Motorboat anchored in the shallow, clear water of a beach surrounded by forest — By motorboat, you choose the route: empty beaches and crystal-clear water.

Escuna (schooner): the classic trip, 5 to 6 hours, leaving between 9:30am and 11am, with four stops of about half an hour each. A typical route takes in Ilha Comprida, Praia da Lula, Lagoa Azul and Praia Vermelha; others include Ilha dos Cocos, Ilha da Cotia or Saco da Velha. Lunch is usually extra, and what is included (masks, kayaks, floats) varies from one company to another.
Private motorboat or traineira (fishing boat): the route is yours, at your own pace as a couple, and it usually includes a skipper, fuel, ice and masks. It is worth it to go further, to the Mamanguá, or to get away from the beaches where the schooners all stop at the same time.

Ask at reception: we will suggest a route to suit the day's weather.

Praia do Sono and Ponta Negra

Long golden-sand beach with waves and forested hills — Praia do Sono: a wide beach, waves and forest down to the sand.

The wildest beaches lie beyond the village of Laranjeiras, about 27 km away: Praia do Sono, reached on a 1 to 1.5-hour trail or by a short boat ride from Laranjeiras, and further on Ponta Negra, on foot or by boat when the sea allows. From Ponta Negra a trail leads to the Cachoeira do Saco Bravo (see the waterfalls guide).

When to go

April, May, September and October are the best months for the beach and boat trips: little rain and a good sea. From November to March it rains more, with afternoon showers; from June to August there is little rain, but the water is colder (about 21 °C in August, against almost 27 °C in February). In Trindade and at the Cachadaço, avoid weekends and public holidays if you can.

Updated September 2026