Rio Grande do Norte: 9 beaches to visit in Natal and surrounding areas

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Beautiful sand dunes, coral reefs and sea in shades of blue are some of the features of the beaches of Christmasat the large northern river. There, the sun is almost a constant presence and only retreats from April to July, when it usually rains well.

A trip to Christmas is only complete when combined with tours along the Potiguar coast, so we made a selection of three beaches in Christmas and another six less than 100 kilometers from the center of the capital for you to embark on a day trip. Ah, Praia Pipa, no matter how viable access it is, shouldn’t be a day trip: dedicate at least two days there.

TIDE TABLE When the tide is low, it is the ideal time to take advantage of the natural pools that form on some beaches, such as Forte, or do programs that depend on the low sea level, such as catamaran trips towards the Maracajaú parrachos and the I rotate inside Pedra Oca. It is crucial to be aware of the dynamics of lows and floods to enjoy the days in Natal, you can access the tide table on the Natal website. Navy or on the website Tideschart. Check the time when the tide will be at its minimum level, ideally for tours it should always be below 1, which means low tide.

CHRISTMAS

Ponta Negra Beach

With its yellowish sands and emerald green waters, Black tip It is the most famous beach in Natal. In the left corner, close to Via Costeira, the atmosphere is calmer and continues like this until the central lane. At the end, close to the dune Morro do Carecathere are bars, restaurants and stalls, the beach is buzzing and swimming in the sea is always delicious.

In terms of partying, the neighborhood has the same reputation as the beach and, to top it off, there are some of the best hotels and restaurants in the city. Via Costeira, which connects the neighborhood to the Center, is full of resorts that border the sea, but it is not a good area for swimming.

In the right corner of the beach, the Morro do Careca has restricted access and can only be seen up close on tours. Jangalancha (mega-rafts) that go around the dune on the way to Tartarugas beach. Before access was prohibited – the restinga area is fragile and the excess of visitors threatened the area – the place was very popular with tourists at sunset and skibunda practitioners.

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A project to fatten the sand strip in Black tip should be carried out in 2024 to try to control the erosion of the Morro do Careca. With the widening, the strip should be 100 meters wide at low tide and 50 at high tide. It is important to pay attention to tide tablebecause when it is high it ends up swallowing a large part of the sand strip.

Praia do Forte

In the center of ChristmasThe Praia do Forte It has calm seas, clear sand and is more frequented by residents of nearby neighborhoods than by tourists, as is the case with other beaches in the central region. When the tide is low in Strongthe reefs help to form natural pools and the beach becomes a good option for those looking for peace, despite having few food and drink stalls.

But it is very likely that the main reason for going there is not even the beach, but to visit the beautiful Reis Magos Fort which has a star shape. The military building, next to the Potengi River, was built to protect the territory from foreign invasions in the 18th century. Visitation is from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 4pm, and tickets cost R$5 (full price) and R$ $2.50 (half).

It is also in Praia do Fortein the background, that the Newton Navarro Bridge begins to connect the region to the Redinha neighborhood.

Beach of Artists

Just like the neighbor Praia do ForteThe Artists Beach It is more popular with locals, but there are more stalls along the beach and street vendors. The sea intersperses calm stretches with rocks and rough ones, where surfers tend to appear. On the weekend and at night, the movement gets bigger on the boardwalk and in the street. handicraft fair in front of the beach.

SURROUNDINGS

Genipabu Beach

The white of the fixed and mobile dunes, which dance with the wind, make up one of the most beautiful scenes in Genipabuin Extreme20 kilometers from Christmas. Here, getting into a buggy is the classic ride that passes through beaches, dunes and lagoons.

The traditional visit to Genipabu also passes through lagoon Pitangui, where the waters are calm and you can go on stand up paddle tours. Already in lagoon Jacumãthe hits are practicing skibunda and embarking on the fun zip line called aerobunda.

Cotovelo Beach

The white sand dotted with coconut trees and the calm sea with warm waters in Cotovelo Beach stay in Parnamirim23 kilometers from Christmas. It is the first beach on the Rota do Sol, a road that goes to Pipa Beach. Despite not being very busy, there are kiosks and stalls with tables and showers. The cliffs on the right frame the sunset and create a beautiful setting.

The beach appears after the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center, Brazilian air base for launching rockets. It is possible to make a quick stop and take photos of the rocket and aircraft replicas, but to enter the base it is necessary to schedule a visit via telephone (84) 3216-1455 / 3216-1304 or by email at [email protected].

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Pirangi do Norte Beach

A Pirangi do Norte Beachalso in Parnamirim25 kilometers from Christmas, is busy with families who visit summer houses and kitesurfers. Bars and concert halls, where axé and forró bands perform, contribute to the excitement, which diminishes towards the south until reaching Pirangi do Sul Beachquiet and with weak waves.

But the big star of Northern Pirangi It’s really curious Pirangi cashew tree. The largest cashew tree in the world has genetic anomalies that cause it to grow sideways: its branches touch the ground and occupy an area of ​​9 thousand square meters. Lizards, timbus, giant bees and other animals have made their home in the tree, which has produced 70,000 cashews a year. Visits take place every day, from 7:30 am to 5 pm, for R$8.

Tabatinga Beach

36 kilometers from Christmasin Nísia FlorestaThe Tabatinga Beach has a long coral reef on the shore that attracts families to the north, in Tabatinga Baixaand surfers and kitewave practitioners who seek the rough sea in the region of Tabatinga Alta.

At the top of a cliff is the Dolphin Viewpointfrom where the view to the Tabatinga Beach and the neighbor Búzios Beach It’s incredible, but you have to be lucky to see the dolphins swirling around or the turtles, which lay their eggs there.

Camurupim Beach

Still in Nísia Floresta40 kilometers from Christmaslarge shallow pools form in the blue sea of Camurupim Beach. When the tide is low, another natural attraction forms: the Hollow Stone it is a kind of cave carved into the reefs where visitors can enter. At high tide, the water reaches the ceiling, so you need to be careful and leave before the cave fills up.

Maracajaú Beach

Much of the fame of Maracajaú Beach is due to the parrachos – when the tide is low, groups of corals seven kilometers from the coast form beautiful natural pools in the open sea. Leaving by boat or catamaran, the dives in the crystal clear waters with the fish are sensational.

On dry land, the beach 57 kilometers north of Christmas It has other charms, such as the dunes and cliffs that surround it and the shade under the trees on the sandy strip.

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