Paraty Beaches & Boat Tours

Paraty sits between the mountains and the sea, and the sea here is not one wide beach but a scattered, sheltered bay full of islands, coves, and quiet green inlets. There are hundreds of beaches within reach of the town, from surf strands open to the ocean to warm pockets you can only get to by boat, plus a fjord-like bay that has no real equal in Brazil. This is a practical guide to all of it: the best-known beaches, the schooner and boat tours, the islands and the Blue Lagoon, the kayaking in Mamanguá, and how the whole thing actually works so you can plan a day on the water without guesswork.

Where

Paraty bay, Costa Verde, Rio de Janeiro state

The bay

sheltered water, hundreds of islands and beaches

Reached by

car, local boat, schooner (saveiro) tour, or kayak

Famous names

Trindade, Saco do Mamanguá, Paraty-Mirim, Lagoa Azul

Best water

calm, clear, warmest roughly December to March

Good for

families, snorkellers, surfers, paddlers, day-trippers

How this coast is put together

It helps to picture the shape of the place before you pick a beach. Paraty sits at the back of a large, protected bay on the stretch of coast Brazilians call the Costa Verde, the green coast, where the Serra do Mar drops almost straight into the sea. Because the mountains come down so close to the water, the coastline is broken into countless coves, points, and small beaches rather than a single long shore. The bay is dotted with islands, some barely more than a rock with a tree on it, others large enough to have their own beaches and forest. All of that steep, forested land is the same Atlantic Forest that covers the reserve up the mountain, so the beaches here are backed by green rather than by hotels, and the water is generally calm because the islands and the shape of the bay shelter it from the open ocean swell.

That geography is the reason a boat is so central to visiting Paraty. Many of the finest beaches simply cannot be reached by road, or can only be reached by a long walk through the forest, so the way people have always gotten to them is by water. It also means the experience of the coast changes completely depending on where you go. Inside the bay, the water is flat, warm, and clear, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and gentle paddling. On the outer, ocean-facing beaches south of town, especially around Trindade, you get real surf and a wilder feel. And tucked into one arm of the coast is Saco do Mamanguá, a narrow inlet that behaves like a fjord and offers some of the calmest, most beautiful paddling in the country. One coast, three very different kinds of day.

Because the reserve sits up in the mountains above the Sete Quedas waterfalls, roughly two miles above that area and reached from the town of Paraty, the coast is your down-the-hill counterpart to the forest. You spend your mornings among the streams, the banana grove, and the canopy, and then, on the days you want salt water, you drive down to the bay. The Paraty guide covers the town itself; this page is about what happens once you reach the water.

Boat tours: the saveiro and how a day on the water works

For most visitors, the classic Paraty experience on the water is a boat tour of the bay, and the classic vessel is the saveiro — a traditional wooden schooner, broad and unhurried, with a deck for sunbathing and usually a small bar and kitchen aboard. These are the boats you see lined up along the waterfront, and they run daily tours out into the bay, anchoring at a series of islands and beaches so people can swim, snorkel, and relax between stops. A typical tour lasts most of the day, leaving mid-morning and returning in the late afternoon, and makes three or four stops at different anchorages, each with its own character — a beach for swimming here, a clear cove for snorkelling there, a spot to jump off the deck into deep water somewhere else.

The standard schooner day

A schooner tour is the easy, sociable way to see the bay, and it suits almost everyone: couples, families with children, solo travellers, and groups all mix happily on the same deck. You do not need to know anything about boats or plan a route; you simply turn up, find a spot on deck, and let the crew take you around. The boats move slowly, which is part of the pleasure — there is time to watch the islands go by, swim at each stop, and eat a lazy lunch. Most tours either include a simple lunch or stop somewhere you can buy food, and drinks are usually sold aboard. The stops themselves vary from boat to boat and with the weather, but the rhythm is the same: cruise a while, drop anchor, swim, move on.

Because these are group tours on a set loop, they are the most affordable and the most relaxed option, but they are also the least flexible. You go where the boat goes, you stay as long as the schedule allows, and at the busiest anchorages you will share the water with other boats. For a first visit, none of that matters much — the bay is beautiful and the pace is gentle — but it is worth knowing so you can choose the right kind of trip for your group.

Private boats and water taxis

If you want more control, you can hire a smaller private boat — often a faster motorboat, sometimes with a local skipper who knows the quiet corners. A private trip costs more but lets you set your own route, linger where you like, skip the crowded stops, and reach smaller, calmer beaches that the big schooners do not visit. For families with young children, for anyone who wants to snorkel in peace, or for a group that would rather picnic on a deserted beach than share a busy one, a private boat is often worth it. Local water taxis also run point-to-point, dropping you at a particular island or beach and picking you up later, which is a good way to get to a specific spot and have it largely to yourself.

The islands and the Lagoa Azul

The bay holds dozens of islands, and the tours string together the best of them. The single most famous stop is the Lagoa Azul, the Blue Lagoon — a shallow, sheltered patch of water between islands where the sea turns a bright, clear turquoise over a pale sand bottom. It is a favourite snorkelling and swimming stop because the water is calm, warm, and clear enough to see fish, and almost every schooner tour includes it or something like it. Because it is so popular, it can get busy with boats at midday, so the earlier you reach it the better. Other common stops include small island beaches, natural swimming holes, and coves good for snorkelling; ask your operator which islands their route covers, because the names and the exact stops vary from boat to boat.

Trindade

Of all the beach destinations near Paraty, Trindade is the one most people fall for. It is a former fishing and surf village about forty minutes south of town by road, set on a wild, ocean-facing stretch of coast backed by forested hills that are part of the Serra da Bocaina. Once a hideaway known mainly to surfers and backpackers, it has grown busier, but it keeps a laid-back, barefoot feel, and its beaches and natural pool are genuinely special. You reach Trindade by car or bus rather than by boat, and the village itself is small and walkable, with a single main street of pousadas, simple restaurants, and shops leading down to the sand.

Praia do Meio and the village beaches

The beaches string out along the coast around the village, and you can walk between several of them. Praia do Meio is one of the central, most accessible beaches — a broad stretch of sand with reasonably calm water in parts, good for swimming and easy to reach on foot from the village. It is the kind of beach where families settle in for the day, with room to spread out and simple places nearby for lunch. Along this same coast are other beaches within walking distance, each a little different in mood, so it is worth wandering to find the one that suits you rather than stopping at the first sand you reach.

Praia Brava

As the name suggests, Praia Brava is the wild one — a beautiful, more remote beach reached by a forest trail rather than a road, with stronger surf and a rugged, untamed feel. The walk to get there, through Atlantic Forest and over headlands, is part of the appeal, and it keeps the beach quieter than the ones you can drive to. The surf here can be powerful, so it is more a place for confident swimmers, surfers, and people who want a dramatic, empty stretch of coast than for small children paddling. Wear proper shoes for the trail, carry water, and go with time in hand; the reward is one of the most striking beaches in the region.

The Cachadaço natural pool

The jewel of Trindade is the Piscina Natural do Cachadaço — a natural sea pool formed by a ring of rocks that shelters a patch of water from the ocean, leaving it calm, clear, and full of fish even when the surf is crashing just beyond. You reach it by a walking trail from the village, over the headland, and the payoff is snorkelling in warm, protected water so clear you can watch fish move around the rocks below you. It is one of the best snorkelling spots on the whole coast, and because it is enclosed and shallow it is far safer than the open surf beaches. It does get busy in high season, so an early start pays off here too. Bring a mask if you have one, wear something on your feet for the rocks, and take care on the trail, which is uneven in places.

Even when the surf is crashing just beyond the rocks, the Cachadaço pool stays calm, clear, and full of fish.

Saco do Mamanguá: Brazil's tropical fjord

If Trindade is the coast at its wildest, Saco do Mamanguá is the coast at its calmest and strangest, in the best possible way. It is a long, narrow inlet — roughly eight kilometres deep and quite thin — reaching inland between two ridges of forested mountains, and it is often called Brazil's only tropical fjord. Whether or not that name is geologically exact, the feel is unmistakable: still, glassy water flanked by steep green walls, with mangroves at the far, shallow end and small traditional communities living along the shore. There are no roads to most of it. You get in by boat or, better, by kayak, and the quiet is the whole point.

Kayaking Mamanguá

The best way to experience Mamanguá is by kayak. The water is protected from ocean swell by the ridges on either side, so it stays flat and calm, which makes for some of the most beginner-friendly and beautiful paddling in Brazil. You can paddle deep into the inlet, past small beaches and the homes of the caiçara — the traditional coastal people who have fished and farmed here for generations — toward the mangroves at the head of the bay, where the fresh water off the mountains meets the sea and the whole system teems with life. Guided kayak trips run from the mouth of the inlet, and they range from a couple of easy hours to a full day, with some outfits offering sunset paddles that catch the light on the water and the mountains. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone reasonably comfortable on the water; you do not need to be an athlete, just willing to paddle at an unhurried pace.

The mangroves, the peak, and the quiet life

Mamanguá is not only about the paddle. The mangrove forest at the shallow end is a nursery for fish, crabs, and birds, and it is one of the healthiest and most accessible mangrove systems on this coast — a genuinely important habitat, not just a pretty backdrop. Rising above the inlet is the Pico do Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá, a sharp peak reached by a steep hiking trail from the shore, which rewards the climb with a long view straight down the length of the fjord to the open sea. Combining a paddle with the climb makes a superb full day for the energetic. Along the shore, the caiçara communities keep a slow, traditional way of life, and some families offer simple meals or a place to rest; treat these visits with respect, buy what they offer, and remember you are a guest in a working community, not at a resort. The whole inlet is a protected area, so take everything out that you bring in and leave the mangroves undisturbed.

Paraty-Mirim

Paraty-Mirim is a smaller bay southeast of town, reachable by road, with a calm beach, the ruins of an old colonial church, and a history that goes back to the earliest days of the region — the name means, roughly, little Paraty. The water here is sheltered and gentle, which makes it good for swimming and for families, and it is also a common jumping-off point for boats heading to nearby islands and to Saco do Mamanguá, since it sits close to the mouth of the inlet. Because it is easy to reach and pleasant rather than spectacular, Paraty-Mirim is often less crowded than the headline beaches, and it makes a relaxed half-day: a swim, a look at the old church, and perhaps a boat onward to a quieter beach or into Mamanguá. From here, small boats and local operators run trips out to the surrounding coves and islands, so it works well as a base for a self-directed day on the water.

Praia Vermelha and the calmer beaches

Praia Vermelha — the name means red beach, for the tint of its sand — is one of the calm, sheltered beaches within the bay, reached by boat and prized precisely because it is quiet and gentle. Beaches like this, tucked into the coves of the inner bay, are the antidote to the busy schooner stops: warm, protected water, a backdrop of forest, and often only a handful of people. Several beaches of this kind ring the bay, and part of the fun of a private boat or a water taxi is asking a local skipper to take you to whichever one is quietest that day. They are ideal for swimming, for children, for snorkelling in calm water, and for the simple pleasure of a beach that has not been paved over. Because they are boat-access, you will usually have to bring your own shade, water, and food, or check ahead whether there is a simple kiosk, so plan for a self-sufficient day and you will be rewarded with something close to a private beach.

Best beaches by type

With so many beaches to choose from, it helps to think about what kind of day you want rather than trying to see everything. Here is how the coast sorts out by mood and use. None of this is rigid — a beach can be several things — but it will point you in the right direction.

For families

Families want calm, shallow water, easy access, and somewhere to find food and shade. The sheltered beaches inside the bay are the natural choice: the calm coves reached by boat, the gentle water at Paraty-Mirim, and the enclosed Cachadaço natural pool at Trindade, where children can snorkel safely in water that stays flat even when the ocean is rough. A schooner tour also works well for families, since children love the swimming stops and the deck to run around on, and a private boat is better still for young children because you control the pace and can leave when nap time comes. For more on visiting the region with children, including how to combine beach days with the forest, see our family and kids guide. Whatever beach you choose, keep small children within arm's reach in open water and remember that even calm bay water has currents.

For surf

Surfers and anyone who likes a lively, ocean-facing beach should head south to Trindade and the wilder coast around it, where Praia Brava in particular offers real waves and a rugged setting. The beaches inside the sheltered bay generally have little or no surf — that is exactly why they are calm — so for waves you want the open coast. The surf can be strong and the currents serious on these beaches, so know your limits, watch how the water is behaving before you go in, and never surf or swim alone in heavy conditions. If you are chasing consistent surf, the coast further south around Ubatuba, over the state line in São Paulo, is one of Brazil's best-known surf regions; our Ubatuba guide covers it.

For snorkelling

For clear water and fish, aim for the enclosed and sheltered spots rather than the open surf. The Cachadaço natural pool at Trindade is the standout — a rock-ringed pool full of fish in clear, calm water. On a schooner or private boat, the Lagoa Azul and the clear coves around the islands are the classic snorkelling stops, best in the morning before the wind stirs the water and the crowds arrive. The calm inner-bay beaches like Praia Vermelha can also be good for a gentle snorkel over rocks. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you can — rental gear on the boats is hit or miss — and reef-safe sunscreen if you have it, since these are living underwater habitats and worth protecting.

Ilha Grande and the wider island coast

North of Paraty, the coast opens into the huge bay of Angra dos Reis, famous for its hundreds of islands, and the largest of them, Ilha Grande, is one of the great beach destinations in Brazil. It sits a little further afield than a standard Paraty boat day, but for anyone serious about beaches it is worth the trip: a car-free island of forest and coves, with the celebrated Lopes Mendes, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, a long sweep of fine white sand and clear water reached by boat and a short forest walk. Ilha Grande deserves its own day, or better a night or two, rather than being rushed as a side trip, and it has its own honest guide on this site: see Angra and Ilha Grande for how to reach it, get around, and choose your beaches. Between Paraty's bay, Trindade, Mamanguá, and the Angra islands, this stretch of coast has more good beaches than any one trip can hold, which is a fine problem to have.

Getting to the coast, and getting around it

How you reach the water depends on which beach you want. The town waterfront, where the schooners tie up, is a short drive from the reserve down the mountain and through Paraty; from there the bay opens directly in front of you, and everything on the water starts at the quay. The road beaches — Trindade to the south, Paraty-Mirim to the southeast — are reached by car or by local bus from town, with Trindade about forty minutes away on a paved but winding coastal road that climbs and drops through the forest. If you are driving, the descent into Trindade is steep and busy in high season, and parking in the village fills up, so an early start helps here as much as it does on the water.

The boat-access beaches inside the bay — the calm coves, Praia Vermelha, the smaller island beaches — have no road at all, and that is exactly why they stay quiet. You reach them by schooner, private boat, or water taxi from the town waterfront or from Paraty-Mirim, and you leave when your boat leaves, so agree the pickup time clearly before you are dropped off. Saco do Mamanguá is usually reached by driving to the inlet's mouth, near Paraty-Mirim, and then paddling or taking a boat in; there is no through-road along the fjord itself. Ilha Grande, further north, is reached by a longer boat crossing from Angra dos Reis or from Conceição de Jacareí, and is a bigger undertaking than a bay day — the Angra and Ilha Grande page explains the crossings.

If you are staying at the reserve, the simplest pattern is to drive or transfer down for the day, do your beach or boat trip, and come back up the mountain in the evening to the cool and the quiet. Keep a car day and a boat day loosely separate rather than trying to cram a long drive and a full boat tour into the same afternoon; the coast rewards an unhurried plan. The getting there page covers the mountain road and how transfers work.

How to choose and how to book

With so many options, the simplest way to plan is to match the day to your group and the weather rather than trying to do it all. If you want an easy, sociable introduction to the bay, take a schooner tour. If you want calm, clear water and control over your route, hire a private boat or a water taxi. If you want a wild, dramatic coast and can handle a walk and some surf, drive to Trindade and its trails and natural pool. If you want stillness and a paddle, head for Saco do Mamanguá. And if you have a full day and want a famous beach, make for Ilha Grande. Most visitors staying several nights will happily do two or three of these across a trip, alternating beach days with days in the forest and the town.

Booking the boats

Schooner tours are easy to arrange. You can book them at the waterfront in Paraty, through most pousadas, or in advance online in high season, when the popular tours fill up. Private boats and kayak trips are best arranged a day or two ahead, especially in peak periods, and it is worth asking about the exact route, what is included, how many people will be aboard, and whether lunch and drinks are provided. For Mamanguá kayaking and the Pico do Pão de Açúcar climb, use a local guide or outfitter; the paddling is easy but a guide knows the tides, the mangroves, and the communities, and a guide is important on the peak trail. We are glad to help you line up the right kind of day for your group and point you to operators we trust rather than the pushiest tout on the quay; just ask through the contact page when you are planning, or once you have arrived.

Timing your beach days

The water is warmest and the bay at its most inviting in the southern summer, roughly December to March, but that is also the busiest and rainiest time, with hot, humid days broken by heavy afternoon showers. The shoulder months on either side often give you calm, clear water with fewer crowds, and even in the cooler, drier months from about May to September the swimming is pleasant on a sunny day and the bay is at its quietest. Whatever the season, mornings are the best time to be on the water — calmer, clearer, and less crowded — and a settled, sunny sky makes an enormous difference to the colour of the sea and the comfort of the ride. Keep your boat days a little flexible if you can, and go when the weather is right rather than forcing it on a grey, windy day. Our Paraty guide has more on the seasons and the town.

Safety and respect on the water

The sea around Paraty is mostly gentle, but it is still the sea, and a few sensible habits keep a beach day a good one. On the open surf beaches around Trindade, the waves and currents can be strong, so watch the water before you go in, swim where others are swimming, keep children close, and never go out alone in rough conditions. On boat trips, listen to the crew, take care climbing in and out of the water, and keep an eye on children on deck and at the swimming stops. The tropical sun is fierce even on cloudy days and doubly so reflected off the water, so reapply sunscreen often and cover up — sunburn is the most common thing that spoils a boat day. Carry water and drink steadily; it is easy to get dehydrated in the heat without noticing.

Respect the places you visit, too. Much of this coast is protected — the bay, the islands, and Saco do Mamanguá are part of the same Atlantic Forest system that the reserve exists to defend — and the mangroves, coral, fish, and coastal communities are all part of what makes it worth coming for. Take out everything you bring in, including food scraps, do not touch or stand on coral and rocks where fish are living, use reef-safe sunscreen where you can, and treat the caiçara communities of Mamanguá and the fishing villages as the hosts they are rather than as scenery. The coast stays beautiful because enough people treat it gently; be one of them, and it will still be like this for the next visitor and the next generation.

Beaches, boats, and the reserve, together

The real luxury of this corner of the Costa Verde is not any single beach but the range of them, and the fact that they sit within reach of a forest that most beach destinations have long since lost. From the reserve up the mountain, you wake among the streams, the banana grove, and the canopy, spend a cool morning on the trails or at the waterfalls, and then, on the days you want salt water, drive down to the bay and choose your kind of coast — a slow schooner day, a private boat to a quiet cove, the natural pool at Trindade, or a paddle into Mamanguá. Forest above, sea below, and a colonial town in between: that combination is the whole point of being here, and it is why we built a conservation reserve on this particular mountain rather than anywhere else.

When you are ready to put the pieces together — which beaches, which boats, how many days, and how to weave them around time in the forest — the team is glad to help, and the reserve makes a calm, uncrowded base for all of it. Have a look at plan a stay to see the chalets and how booking works, read the Paraty guide for the town and the region, and reach out through the contact page whenever you want a hand shaping the trip. The beaches will still be there in the morning; take your time, and let the coast set the pace.