São Sebastião – Brazil Travel Guide, Tour Tips and Accommodation

For those looking for sun and sea during their holidays or summer holidays, São Sebastião offers 28 beautiful beaches with white sand and clear, calm waters. There are small beaches along its shores and others with a large stretch of sand that goes as far as the eye can see, where most of them are surrounded by the Atlantic Forest still untouched by man.

There are beaches for those looking for the excitement of summer, young people and those who practice extreme and water sports, but there is also space for those who are just looking for rest and fresh air.

Among the main beaches we can mention Maresias (famous throughout Brazil) and Camburi, among others…, in addition to beaches where entry is prohibited in this area for research into marine fauna and flora.

Therefore, São Sebastião has the ideal beach for you, whether it’s for your relaxation or for your excitement during the day or night. Check out information about the city’s main beaches below:

Boraceia Beach

Boraceia beach borders Bertioga and is 62km from the center. It has compact, dark sand, a very long beach with open, calm and transparent sea. Those who go to Boracéia will find pleasant surprises such as the beaches covered by the wild Ponta da Boracéia hill, and the Rio Silveiras Indigenous Reserve where Guarani indigenous tribes are located.

Jureia Beach

Jureia beach has crystal clear waters and white sands in a perfect combination with the two hills covered by the Atlantic Forest that frame the region. On its north side there is a beautiful lake with dark waters that is home to birds during migration season. The place also has some of the most beautiful summer houses in São Sebastião, which complete the scenario that has a small infrastructure, but which satisfactorily serves all tourists and residents.

See the photo gallery of Praia Jureia

Barra do Una Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in São Sebastião, Barra da Una mixes the beach side with the country side, mainly due to the Una River that runs down the Serra and flows into the sea in the northern corner of the beach. A beach with crystal clear waters and clear, loose sand, where the strongest waves are located along the beach and calmer where they meet the Una River.

See the photo gallery of Praia Barra do Una

Juquehy Beach

Juquehy beach has very clear water that matches its white sand, both of which contrast with the strong green of the Atlantic Forest that frames the region. In Juquehu there are even some good restaurants that make the cuisine very popular among visitors.

See the photo gallery of Juquehy Beach

Black Beach

Praia preta is located a few meters from Praia Grande and is a corner delimited by two hills. It has dark, firm sand and calm waters. It contains Morro da Prainha, known for the beautiful view it offers.

Whale Beach

The beach is located in front of Ilha da Baleia, which is why it gets its name and is surrounded by several residential condominiums and houses. As it is in a residential area there is not much activity at night, as there are very few shops and, therefore, it is an ideal beach for those who just want to rest. It has hard sand and calm waters – with the exception of the southern corner where the waves hit hard and are preferred by surfers, while in other areas racquetball and futvolley are unanimous.

See the photo gallery of Praia da Baleia

Barra do Sahy Beach

Barra do Sahy beach, like Juquehy beach, has white sand and calm seas. Its horseshoe shape is very cozy and on its south side are the Canto Bravo rocks that were beautiful natural pools while on the north side is the Sahy River that bathes the chapel of the Caiçara village.

See the photo gallery of Barra do Sahy Beach

Cambury Beach

A beach where the waters are calm and is ideal for families, especially with young children, as well as for practicing sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, diving and fishing on the shores. It has a food court in the central area of ​​the beach and is the venue for the City Hall’s summer games due to the wide strip of sand. For those who enjoy walking, a good option is to climb Morro das Sete Voltas, as it is a rewarding walk due to the beautiful view provided and is also suitable for hang gliding and paragliding.

See the Cambury Beach Photo Gallery

Boiçucanga Beach

Boiçucanga beach is the largest commercial center on the south coast of São Sebastião and has a complete infrastructure to serve the city’s tourists, with hotels, inns, bars, kiosks, nightclubs, among others. The beach, in its northern corner, is at the mouth of the river of the same name and where you can still find fishermen who live there.

See the photo gallery of Boiçucanga Beach

Maresias Beach

These are the busiest 5 kilometers of waterfront in the entire city of São Sebastião. With its crystal clear waters and loose white sand, Maresias beach is the most popular among tourists from all over Brazil who come to discover the region. It also has points where the wave formation is excellent and, in fact, several surfing championships and events are held there throughout the year. And, for this reason, it is the place for kids at night looking for flirting and jinxing.

See the photo gallery of Maresias Beach

Paúba Beach

Paúba beach is located in a small caiçara village, although summer houses are starting to invade the area. Its water is clear while its sand is soft, forming a perfect combination for bathers. When the south wind blows, the waves hit them and it is ideal for surfing.

See the photo gallery of Praia Pauba

Santiago Beach

For those looking for peace during their stay in São Sebastião, one of the best options is Santiago beach, as it is far from the hustle and bustle of the larger, busier beaches. Furthermore, it has crystal clear waters and fine white sand that give a full view of the Islands of Toque-Toque, Montão de Trigo and Alcatrazes.

Small Touch-Touch

Toque-Toque Pequeno beach is an old fishing village that ended up being transformed into a summer beach, however it continues to maintain a family side due to the condominiums in the region. Its sand is clear and soft while its sea is completely calm all year round, making it an ideal beach for swimmers.

Calhetas Beach

Small peninsula full of rocks and white sand, with native vegetation. A place with exuberant beauty and strictly residential, access to the road was prohibited by residents. Now access is only by boat. In front of the beach is Toque-Toque Island.

Toque-Toque Grande Beach

Beach with thick and loose sand is in a cove facing west and has a beautiful sunset. Access is via SP-55 (Rio-Santos) in front of a beautiful waterfall on the side of the road.

Guaecá Beach

Guaecá alternates between days of calm waters and extremely rough seas. It has no infrastructure for tourists, just a few tents on the sand. Guaecá has waves throughout its entire length, with the southern corner being the most radical. In addition, it has beautiful houses and residential condominiums that help to create the beach landscape.

Barequeçaba Beach

Beach with calm waters, ideal for families with small children and practicing sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, diving and fishing on the shores. It has a food court in the central area of ​​the beach. It hosts the City Hall’s summer games due to the wide strip of sand. Climbing Morro das Sete Voltas is a rewarding trip due to the beautiful view it provides and is also suitable for hang gliding and paragliding.

Big beach

Surrounded by dwarf coconut trees, it has white sands and calm seas, suitable for swimming. It is home to the Workers’ Spa, which has the infrastructure to receive groups of tourists, excursions and day tourists. It has services such as a restaurant, changing room with shower, sports courts and parking.

Cabelo Gordo Beach

Beach closed to tourists and for exclusive use by CEBIMar (USP Marine Biology Center) is only used for research. During the high season, visits are open to groups with a scheduled date and time. Telephone for information: (12) 3852-1655.

Pitangueiras Beach

It is located on the São Sebastião Channel, in front of Ilhabela. Beaches with small, narrow strips of sand, with calm, clean waters, great for snorkeling. Bordered by two hills covered by the Atlantic Forest, they have some summer residences.

Porto Grande Beach

It is the closest beach to the city center, facing the Canal. Swimming in the sea becomes unpleasant due to the muddy bottom. It is home to Praça da Vela, a hotspot for windsurfers and sailors due to the infrastructure offered.

Deserted Beach

Next to Praia do Porto Grande, it is narrow and rocky, practically residential. On its shores, a cycle path and a promenade invite you to take a stroll in the evening to glimpse the beautiful landscape formed by the Canal with Ilhabela in the background.

Pontal da Cruz Beach

Pontal da Cruz is located in one of the most populated neighborhoods in the city and even though the strip of sand is wide and flat, it is not very popular with bathers. The biggest activity on the beach is caused by several nautical garages and as it is the starting point for several boats that take tourists around the island region.

Arrastão Beach

Arrastão beach is one of the favorites among the city’s inhabitants, as it is one of the closest to the center and offers complete infrastructure for the address. It gets its name from the traditional trawling that still takes place there today.

Olaria Beach

Olaria beach is little frequented by tourists, and its only access is via the Rio-Santos Highway.

San Francisco Beach

The only sloping beach in São Sebastião with fine sand has beautiful trees on its shores that make it extremely cozy. Its cove is home to numerous boats creating a beautiful setting. The neighborhood is known for its “paneleiro” crafts (clay utensils).

Cigarras Beach

Cigarras beach has many trees on its shores that provide great shade for the snack and drink stalls that are popular with local visitors. As it is a residential beach, these stalls are practically the only business in a place with thick, loose sand and calm water ideal for bathing.

Enseada Beach

On the border between São Sebastião and Caraguá, the beach comprises the residential neighborhoods of Enseada and Canto do Mar. With dark sand, the beach is shallow up to 100m into the sea. It is characterized by fishing for crustaceans with nets or at low tide.