São Luís Beaches: Atlantic Shores of the Capital Island
São Luís is built on an island — the Ilha de São Luís — and its Atlantic-facing beaches have powerful waves, strong tides, and the distinctive character of the Maranhão coast where the Amazon's influence meets the sea
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Calhau Beach
Calhau — the city's most popular beach, 12 km from the center — has powerful Atlantic surf, permanent beach bars and a wide sandy beach; the beach's combination of surf culture and urban accessibility make it São Luís' outdoor social hub
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Ponta d'Areia Beach
Ponta d'Areia - on the bay of the island - has calmer waters than the shores of the Atlantic; the beach bars, the sunset over Baía de São Marcos and the proximity to the historic city center make it the city's most beautiful evening spot
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Araçagi Beach
Araçagi beach - north of the city - is famous for strong winds and kitesurfing; the long empty beach, the strong trade winds off the Atlantic and the relative lack of development attract kite surfers from all over Brazil
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Tidal extremes
The coast of São Luís has the largest tidal range in South America — up to 7 meters difference between high and low tide; at low tide, vast mudflats are exposed on the bay, creating the otherworldly landscape unique to this coast
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Mangue (Mangrove) ecosystem
São Luís' coastline is lined with vast mangrove forests — the mangrove habitat, visible from the roads connecting the island to the mainland, is the nursery for the bay's exceptional shellfish
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Ilha do Amor
The small island accessible by boat from Raposa – a fishing village north of São Luís – appears only at low tide; The dramatic appearance and disappearance of the island's tides, and the accompanying seafood stalls, are a Sunday tradition in São Luís