Ubatuba is one of the best places in Brazil to practice surf, nautical sports, and diving. There are beach options for all kinds of audiences – from the high waves of Itamambuca to the calms waters of Lázaro. Uninhabited beaches such as Brava, Almada, Cedro draw one’s attention, and the access to them is made through tracks. For those looking for movement, the best option is “Grande” Beach or the schooner rides to Anchieta Island. The services are focused on Itaquá and Centro beaches, with a developed infrastructure to welcome visitors all year long.
Another wonder Ubatuba exhibits are the preserved stretches of “Mata Atlântica” (Atlantic Forest), at Serra do Mar Park, on the region’s far north.
The city north limits is the historical city of Parati, in the state of Rio de Janeiro; southward, Caraguatatuba, in the state of São Paulo; westward you can reach Vale do Paraíba, in the same state.
Attractions
- Ubatuba “Horto Florestal” (Forest Garden)
It is an Experimental Station of the Agriculture Agency and is part of Campinas Agronomic Institute. Its major purpose is analyzing and studying the main plants and their adaptation to the region climate and soil. It is a beautiful and interesting walk – the “Horto” has avenues filled with leafy trees and imperial palm trees, making up a very pleasant landscape.
- “Casa da Farinha” (Flour House)
A historical site amid the preserved “Mata Atlântica”, “Casa de Farinha” is the beginning of an important track through the "Jatobá", "Poço da Rasa" beach reaching the Corisco Hill. However, these tracks must only be taken when monitored by specialized guides, who will also be able to provide thorough information about the site history and Mata Atlântica, making the ride an unforgettable experience.
The Sea Turtles (TAMAR) Project was created in 1980 in order to protect from extinction five species of turtles which use the Brazilian coastline to feed and reproduce. A program to protect these species has been developed with activities designed to environmental education, scientific research, and social and community actions, involving local residents.
A private property with most of its area inside the Serra do Mar State Park – Picinguaba Center, a state conservation unit. The Park aims at ensuring the protection of forests, wild animals, rivers, and wellsprings, toward the region environmental and tourist preservation, as well as the quality of life of residents and visitors.
- Lagoinha Ruins – Lagoinha Beach
By means of Rio-Santos highway toward Caraguatatuba-Ubatuba, it is possible to see a traffic sign when the beach ends, showing the Lagoinha Ruins. On the left is a road, 500 meter after which, you can reach one of Ubatuba’s many attractions. It is a place where the Brazilian colonial history can be breathed in and, with a small work of imagination, you can travel back to the past and visualize foremen and slaves in their daily works.
- Ubatuba “Mercado de Pescados” (Fish Market)
It lies beside Barra dos Pescadores and is a great shopping option for those who enjoy cooking fresh fish and seafood.
It provides its visitors with the chance of closely meeting some of the complex sea world, having among its attraction 12 salt water tanks – among which is one of Brazil’s largest sea tanks, with 80 thousand liters – with specimens from the local fauna and other oceans.
Created in 1977, the Serra do Mar State Park (PESM) is the largest park in São Paulo, with 315,390 hectares devoted to preservation, environmental education, valuation of the local culture, and scientific research. Its surroundings have virtually every ecosystem representing the Mata Atlântica. Ubatuba shelters the only stretch of the PESM which reaches sea level, thus protecting the coastal ecosystems, as well as five beaches and two villages – Cambury and Picinguaba – whose residents also preserve aspects of their traditional culture. It is an environmentally strategic point as it links the PESM to Serra de Bocaina National Park by overlapping both units, integrating them to a group comprised by the Cairuçu Environmental Protection Area and the Joatinga Ecologic Reserve. already in the city of Parati, state of Rio de Janeiro.
It is the largest island of Ubatuba. It shelters a portion of Serra do Mar State Park. There are schooner rides which take visitors to some of its beaches – Engenho, Palmas, and Presídio. Departures from Saco da Ribeira.
Ubatuba has some of the best diving points of the northern coastline of São Paulo state. And it has special features – calm, clear waters with pleasant temperatures – which make up the perfect scenario for practicing free diving or snorkeling. One of the most required sites is "Praia do Leste” (Eastern Beach). Local tourist agencies offer courses and rent equipment.
Beaches
Located in front of “Ilha do Tamanduá” (Tamanduá Island), it is great for diving and practicing nautical sports.
Despite of being difficult to reach, it is very much visited for fishing and nautical sports. It comprises one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region.
It has a narrow sandy stretch and its access is only through tracks.
It is the starting point for one of the most beautiful ecological tracks offered there.
A former colonial farm which lived on livestock, nowadays it is one of the city’s most visited sites.
A complete beach, with many natural beauties and an infrastructure of commerce and services in order to please all demands.
Ruins of the first glass factory in Brazil.
- Bonete Beach and Grande do Bonete
One of the most gorgeous routes of São Paulo coastline, with clear sands and waters. Toward Bonete, the access is made on foot and lasts about 40 minutes, near Lagoinha.
It is full of huge rocks comprising appealing caverns and passages across the coast.
A real paradise surrounded by the Mata Atlântica.
A large beach with a very calm sea – good for you and your children.
A small roadstead of still and clear waters. The access is made by means of Lázaro Beach.
A place with many summer resort houses, it is one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches for bathing in the entire region.
Famous because it shelters the “Gruta que Chora” (Crying Cavern), a place involved in many legends and mysteries.
A nautical environment with rides leading to Anchieta Island.
A point where schooner riders to Anchieta Island stop.
One of the most fascinating beaches of Anchieta Island.
Still waters, suitable to diving.
It shelters the Oceanographic Institute of São Paulo University - USP.
Still water beaches, excellent for families.
Tiptop for children, as it has still and crystal-clear waters.
It has calm waters and a full hotel infrastructure.
It concentrates several bars and kiosks that add to this bustling place.
This is Ubatuba’s most visited beach. Excellent to practice surf.
It has white and soft sands across the breakwater, but the waves are extremely strong.
It is covered by velvety sand with beautiful shells.
It is the city’s most amusing point near downtown. It has countless bars.
The place where José de Anchieta (also known as Joseph Anchieta) wrote his poem to the Virgin.
- Prainha do Matarazzo Beach
A small stretch of sand where the outfall of Rio Grande (river) is.
Four kilometer long, it is one of Ubatuba’s most traditional beaches.
It has an aquatic park with a water slide. It is beside Rio-Santos road.
Known worldwide, it hosts surf championships. It is very large and has quite clear sands.
One of the most charming views of Rio-Santos road, it is large and has a very calm sea.
A delightful retreat for "caiçaras" (natives of Santos city)
A paradisiacal scenario with a luxuriant nature, despite of being difficult to reach.
It shelters the administrative headquarters of Serra do Mar State Park – Picinguaba Center.
