Things to do in Arraial do Cabo

Why the water is so clear and cold

Arraial has upwelling (ressurgência): with the north-easterly wind, deep, cold ocean water rises to the surface near the coast. It brings nutrients that feed marine life and keeps the sea clear and colder than along the rest of the coast. The Brazilian Navy studies it right here, at the Almirante Paulo Moreira Institute of Sea Studies (IEAPM).

Beaches

• Praia Grande: open sea with waves, popular for surfing. A 12-minute walk from the hostel.
• Praia dos Anjos: a calm bay where the boat trips leave from. A 13-minute walk.
• Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia: two small white-sand, turquoise-water beaches between the rocks of the Pontal, reached by a staircase from the viewpoint.
• Praia do Forno: a calm cove near Praia dos Anjos, reached by a short trail or by boat.
• Praia do Farol: on Cabo Frio Island, a Navy area. Only reachable on authorised boat trips, which stop there for a limited time.

Boat trips

This is the classic Arraial outing. Boats leave from Praia dos Anjos and follow the coast along the nautical route set by ICMBio for the Marine Extractive Reserve, stopping to swim at beaches and coves you can only reach by sea. Tourist boat transport in the reserve is run by accredited operators.

At the hostel reception we recommend trusted operators for boat trips, diving, buggy and quad bike rides, and help you book.

Trails

The Pontal do Atalaia trail starts a 5-minute walk from the hostel and leads to the Pontal viewpoints, overlooking the beaches and the island. The hostel team runs group outings to this and other trails around town.

Bring water, sunscreen and closed shoes, and go early in the morning on hot days.

Diving, snorkelling and surfing

The clear water makes Arraial one of Brazil’s most sought-after places to dive, with try-dives for first-timers. In the calm coves, snorkelling already shows plenty of marine life: we rent snorkel masks at reception.

For surfing, Praia Grande and the Pontal are the wave beaches. The hostel rents surfboards and bikes.

Sunset, nights and rainy days

In the late afternoon, the team takes the group to watch the sunset by the lagoon. At night, the hostel bar has games, karaoke and something different every day. On rainy days, movies with popcorn and games. All free for guests, all year round.

Respect the marine reserve

The sea off Arraial is the Arraial do Cabo Marine Extractive Reserve, created in 1997 to protect the town’s artisanal fishing and managed by ICMBio. Choose trips with accredited operators, take your rubbish back with you and respect fishing areas and boats.