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Beach and wind in Atins
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Usually like this · Rota Insider information
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Atins
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Mouth of the Rio Preguiças, Atins · 1 / 4
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Mouth of the Rio Preguiças, Atins · 2 / 4
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Mouth of the Rio Preguiças, Atins · 3 / 4
Photo 4 of 4:
Mouth of the Rio Preguiças, Atins · 4 / 4
On footPublic beach
Atins beach, at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças
Yes, Atins has its own beach, at the river mouth. At low tide, natural pools and a sandbank appear. Late in the afternoon there is a beach bar by the river.
Duration
no schedule
Departure
on foot, from the village
How it's done
on foot, on your own
Season and time
all year; the tide decides the pools
Safety Don't swim at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças: strong current.
Price: you see the total before you confirm · per package of hours: 2, 6 or 10 h for private lessons; 2 or 4 h for semi-privatePrice: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Planning to ride for several days? The Kite Pass is coming (soon).
More details for the kite lessonwhere, group, effort and what's included
Where
At the river mouth, between beaches and sandbanks, there are areas of flatter water, and the tide changes them.
Group
private lesson (1 student per instructor) or semi-private (2 per instructor), with the same instructor from start to finish; certified instructors (ABK and IKO)Group: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Effort
no need to know how to swim: the safety gear is includedEffort: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Included / Not included
the part on land (safety and the wind window), all the gear, with setup and packing up, and a radio in your earIncluded / Not included: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Who it's for
from age 8, for first-timers: from zero to riding, about 10 h of lessonsWho it's for: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
If the weather changes
If rain, wind or tide changes the plan, we let you know in advance and arrange another time or another tour with you.
Price: you see the total before you confirm · per person when shared, or per car when privatePrice: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
More details for the sunsetgroup, effort and what's included
Group
shared, or just for your groupGroup: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Effort
a short climb up a duneEffort: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Included / Not included
Included: pickup and drop-off at your guesthouse, a stop for a swim in a lagoon when there is water, photo stops and water in the car. Not included: food or drink served in the dunes (alcohol is banned in the park).Included / Not included: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Who it's for
all agesWho it's for: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
If the weather changes
If rain, wind or tide changes the plan, we let you know in advance and arrange another time or another tour with you.
Price: you see the total before you confirm · per person when shared, or per car when privatePrice: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Right now: The lagoons near Atins still have water and are good for a swim. updated
Canto do Atins: grilled shrimp between the dunes and the sea
Canto is a settlement separate from Atins, at the point where the beach meets the dunes, inside the park. On the full-day tour, this is the stop: open-air tables and grilled shrimp after a swim in the lagoons. The meal is paid separately · to be agreed.
Rio Negro mouth (on request)
When the Rio Negro has water, you can ask for the trip along the beach to the mouth of the Rio Negro. We check it's doable first.
More details for the lagoons by 4x4areas, group, effort and what's included
Areas
Ponta do Mangue and Canto do Atins (ICMBio calls it Canto dos Lençóis). Lagoon names change with the rain and help you recognize the outing; they are not a promise of a stop.
Group
sharedGroup: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Just your group
yes, with a car just for youJust your group: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Effort
short walks on the dunes, even going by 4x4Effort: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Included / Not included
pickup and drop-off at your guesthouse, swim stops when there is water, and water in the car; on the full day, a stop at Canto do Atins, with the meal paid separatelyIncluded / Not included: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Who it's for
all agesWho it's for: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
If the weather changes
If rain, wind or tide changes the plan, we let you know in advance and arrange another time or another tour with you.
Good to know
By car, in the park, only with an accredited vehicle, driver and guide. ICMBio recommends avoiding cars on the dunes between noon and 2 pm.
Price: the crossing costs nothing · you pay for food and drinks therePrice: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
More details for the Cabana do Caranguejowhat's included, who it's for and what there is to eat
Included / Not included
Included: the crossing there and back, and a life jacket for anyone who wants one. Not included: food and drinks, paid at the Cabana.Included / Not included: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Who it's for
all ages; children cross with a responsible adultWho it's for: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
If the weather changes
If rain or the tide keeps the boat in, we let you know and arrange another day with you.
Good to know
At the Cabana: grilled fish and shrimp, pasta, crêpes, cocktails and juices; the fish of the day is on the chalkboard. Cards, cash and Pix are accepted.Good to know: usually like this · Rota Insider information,
Things to do in Atins with 1, 2 or 3 free days
One main outing fills a day. Three ways to fit it in, with no fixed times.
The boat times change what fits in your days. The rest is in the guides.
Going by the reference departure times, the boat from Barreirinhas reaches Atins in the afternoon, and people heading back to São Luís usually take an early boat. On arrival day, only count on a lagoon tour if it is arranged around the boat times.
The Rio Preguiças tour usually leaves from Barreirinhas and goes back there. If you are staying in Atins, it can be your way in, with your luggage, on request.
On foot: Atins is a base for walking to the lagoons (before going without a guide, check ICMBio's rule for your route), and the Lençóis crossing runs from Atins to Santo Amaro.
In the park, car tours only with an ICMBio-accredited vehicle, driver and guide. Always ask whoever runs the tour for their badge and authorization; an authorized vehicle has ID stickers on both sides.
Tourist quad bikes and UTVs have been banned from the park's dune field since .
In the park it is forbidden to sell, bring or drink alcohol, to light fires or barbecues and to bring pets.
A meal set up in the dunes, such as breakfast, a picnic, a luau or a dinner, counts as an event for ICMBio.
On foot, access is allowed in the areas open to visitors; before going without a guide, check the rule in force for your route.
Questions about tours in Atins
How does arranging a tour with Rota Insider work?
You send your dates and what you'd like to do. We check the day, time and price with whoever runs it, and tell you the total before you confirm. At the moment, you pay whoever runs the tour directly: we pass you their contact and what was agreed.
Do I need an agency, or can I go to the lagoons on my own?
By car, only on a tour with an accredited vehicle, driver and guide: ICMBio does not allow tours in private vehicles in the park. On foot, access is allowed in the areas open to visitors; before going without a guide, check the rule in force for your route.
How do I know the guide and the vehicle are accredited?
Always ask whoever runs the tour for their badge and authorization, as ICMBio advises. An authorized vehicle has ID stickers on both sides.
Are there quad bike tours in Atins?
Not through the dunes. Since July 2026, ICMBio has banned tourist quad bikes and UTVs from the park's dune field. Lagoon tours go by 4x4, with an accredited vehicle and guide. The quad taxi you see in the village is transport, not a dune tour.
Are the lagoons full right now? When should I go?
May to September is generally the time to find more water, with no guarantee of full lagoons. From November to January, the dry season, there is less water in the lagoons, and the river and kitesurfing count for more. Closer to your dates, we tell you how they are.
What if it rains, gets windy or the tide changes on the day?
We let you know in advance and arrange another time or another tour with you. Rescheduling and cancellation rules are set by whoever runs the tour, and we tell you what they are before you confirm.
Can I bring drinks? Is there dinner or a picnic in the dunes?
In the park it is forbidden to sell, bring or drink alcohol, and to light fires or barbecues. A meal set up in the dunes, such as a picnic, a luau or a dinner, counts as an event for ICMBio, so we don't offer it.
How many days should I stay in Atins? Can I do a tour on arrival day?
Count the free days, not just the nights: two nights usually give you one full day, and three nights, two. On arrival day, only count on a lagoon tour if it is arranged around the boat times.
Bring cash: Atins has no ATM, and Pix depends on a connection. The signal is weak, and Wi-Fi in some places doesn't guarantee a connection around the village. If you are already in Atins, message us over your guesthouse's Wi-Fi.
What language do you reply in?
Replies in Portuguese or English. The guide's language on the tour depends on who runs it, and we tell you beforehand.
Can I go with children or older people?
It depends on the tour. In Atins everything is sand, boats and 4x4s, and even by car the lagoon tour can include walking on the dunes. Tell us who is coming, with their ages, and we check with whoever runs it.
Can you swim in the lagoons?
Yes, when there is water. Most lagoons are calm and good for a swim, and the guide picks the ones that are safe that day. From November to January there is less water.
What should I bring on the tours?
Swimwear, a towel and sun protection: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Selected by Rota Insider
