Discover exceptional spots off the beaten track with the beaches of Rio Grande do Norte
Fortaleza, (the capital of Ceará), and the surrounding region is known as the epicenter of kitesurfing in the Northeast and a haven for watersports in Brazil. With an international airport located in the middle of the most preferred coastal zone for kitesurfing in the country. However, the region of Rio Grande do Norte is not to be left out as it also offers great and less crowded spots to practice kitesurfing.
South of Natal, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, you will find Pipa, a small fishing village which has become a seaside resort with a tranquil and ecotourism-oriented atmosphere.
Going up the coast towards Fortaleza, small lost paradises such as Galinhos and Sao Miguel de Gostoso allow you to ride in excellent conditions while enjoying the authentic atmosphere of this part of the Nordeste coast. There is also plenty of opportunity for good meals based on delicious seafood prepared on site in the small straw huts bordering the beaches.
To reach these coastal villages, you go either directly by road, or by the tracks and beaches aboard 4 × 4 or buggy, discovering magnificent panoramas stretching as far as the eye can see, where you can stop at any moment to take advantage of desert spots worthy of your wildest dreams!
SOUTH OF FORTALEZA – KITESURF OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
PIPA, THE ECO-TOURISTIC KITESURF SPOT OF NORDESTE
1 hour from Natal and its international airport, Pipa beach offers multiple accommodation options that we recommend including the beautiful pousadas Sombra e Agua Fresca and Toca da Coruja (see the stay in Pipa.)
Perched on a beautiful cliff in ocher tones, this spot has everything you would imagine in a small tropical paradise. It is one of the few places in the Nordeste region where travelers can see pods of dolphins. At low tide the reefs are water-traps and create natural pools. These are particularly suitable for snorkeling. The perimeter is located within an environmentally protected area where you will have the opportunity to see sea turtles!
There is also the Atlantic forest, which surrounds the village and allows you take splendid walks. This forest is like that of Rio, fairly dense and criss-crossed by ecological trails. You can take multiple excursions in the surroundings by buggy, 4X4, Jardineira, Pau de Arara (other varieties of 4X4 vehicles) or take a catamaran ride, a horse ride, practice snorkling , surfing, cycling , kayaking, tree climbing or paragliding!
Even though Pipa itself is not the sportiest or the most intense spot, it’s a good option for those traveling with the family or even with other people who do not practice kitesurfing seriously. There is indeed a great variety of activities and the village truly comes alive at night and on weekends. There is a wide variety of bars and restaurants where the clientele is quite cosmopolitan, consisting of locals, South Brazilians and foreigners. At the weekend, the Calangos nightclub will extend the night for kitesurfers who love dancing to local and international rhythms.
KITESURFING IN PIPA
The best kite spot is located in Barra do Cunhau a few kilometers from Pipa, so it is better to arrange transport to get there, rent a car or consult us. The spot is at the mouth of a river and is therefore on flat water – perfect for beginners. There are still some waves however, right at the mouth of the river.
We should also mention Tibau do Sul and the beach of Malemba a little higher up on the coast before arriving in Pipa, ideal for beginners, the sea at low tide offers natural pools where it is convenient to start learning.
The choice of Pipa is perfect for a kitesurf stay in Brazil if you are looking for a cocktail combining quality hotels, dynamic nightlife and plenty of kitesurfing!
To check wind conditions and tides and compare with other spots, see here.
Here is a short video that showing the beautiful spot of Barra do Cunhau to make your mouth water!
NATAL, A KITESURF SPOT COMBINING A QUIET RIDE BY THE BEACH AND THE CITY
Natal, a city of about 1 million inhabitants and capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, is of course not the ideal option if you are looking for absolute tranquility and a total change of scenery.
However for a short stay, the city has no shortage of assets, first and foremost an international airport that makes it an easy-to-reach destination from Europe via the Portuguese TAP Company. Also, a quality hotel park, a good choice of restaurants and a lively nightlife in the district of Ponta Negra are some of the highlights of the destination.
North of the city, in a vast park of dunes and lagoons, where a small river meanders, Genipabu is a pleasant place which proves to be favourable for a short stay before embarking on an expedition, for example hitting the dunes and beaches by buggy or 4X4 towards Fortaleza! (see our trip from Natal to Fortaleza via the beaches).
For accommodation, we recommend the pousada Castanheira in the center of Natal and Villa do Sol for those who prefer to enjoy more natural settings in the dunes of Genipabu .
KITESURFING IN NATAL
You will be able to practice your favorite sport on the beach of Pirangui, this spot is relatively easy to ride. If you get bored of being on the water a little buggy ride in the dunes of Genipabu will be a nice alternative to take.
These characteristics make a kitesurfing stay in Natal pleasant and balanced for someone wishing to do a few hours of kite as well as enjoy the beach life and go out at night.
Discover the weather conditions of Natal and start dreaming about your next kite surfing holiday in with this beautiful video from Pirangui!
SAO MIGUEL DO GOSTOSO, THE KITESURF SPOT WITH AN AUTHENTIC ATMOSPHERE
This small fishing village on the Northeast coast is set on a beautiful beach just over 100km north of Natal. Relatively isolated, it has retained all its charm and authenticity and will appeal to lovers of scenery who like to combine their favorite sport and engaging with locals and their lifestyle. For accommodation we recommend the pousada Dos Ponteiros.
In this small village there are few nightlife options, however, you will encounter beautiful and deserted beaches that beyond the facilities they offer to kite surfers are real havens of peace, the likes of which are rarely found in today’s world.
KITESURF IN SAO MIGUEL DO GOSTOSO
The spot is relatively easy to ride and also offers an opportunity to catch waves about 300m from the shore. Note that the spot will be different and interesting at different tides, a general rule for just about all the spots we are talking about.
A perfect destination for lovers of calm and early risers who are primarily looking for various spots following the tide and uncrowded riding in wild landscapes.
Discover the weather conditions of Sao Miguel de Gostoso and start dreaming about your next kite surfing holiday in Sao Miguel de Gostoso with a video of the spot!
THE KITESURF SPOT OF GALINHOS, A LITTLE PARADISE AWAY FROM THE WORLD
Situated on a sandy beach 140 km from Natal, Galinhos is a tiny village lost between the moving dunes where no road leads. You can reach Galinhos only by buggy or 4X4 through the dunes at low tide and by a ferry from the small village of Pratagil.
With its small lighthouse this tiny hamlet is undoubtedly one of the most isolated and wild destinations to kitesurf on the coast of Nordeste. Another piece of paradise with exquisite backdrops, it’s like a little bit at the end of the world…
In Galinhos, you can spend long hours riding on the water as well as exploring the surroundings on foot, by mule or canoe in this semi-desert and mineral landscape, this place is ideal to indulge in total relaxation. Not to mention the natural pools with warm and transparent water…
Here the carts have replaced the taxis and time flows to the throbbing rhythm of the waves that beat on the beach. We recommend pousada Amagali and Brazil Adventure to stay in Galinhos.
KITESURF IN GALINHOS
With its lagoon that forms at the mercy of the tides the Galinhos spot is ideal for lovers of still water and free style. You can also do beautiful downwinds on the ocean and feast on the waves that crash on the shore at high tide.
A very complete spot, perfect for kite surf enthusiasts who do not seek anything other than a virtually unknown and exceptional place where they will be able to fully satisfy all their desires to ride in an enchanting setting and live at the quiet pace of the smiling locals .
Follow live weather conditions in Galinhos and enjoy a taste of your next kitesurfing experience in Galinhos while watching this video!
