1. Praia do Sancho - Fernando de Noronha, PE
Repeatedly voted for and referred to as the most beautiful beach in Brazil, Sancho is one of Fernando de Noronha's many wonders. A rock wall with native vegetation encloses a bay with green/turquoise water, reefs and impeccable diving conditions. Getting to the beach requires descending from the top of the cliff via a vertical metal ladder through a hole in the rock.
Noronha is a safe haven for rotifer dolphins and has a Projeto Tamar unit to protect sea turtles. Access to Fernando de Noronha, by boat or plane, is controlled. An environment protection fee (Taxa de Preservacao Ambiental - TPA) is charged before departure or upon arrival at the archipelago.
2. Riacho Doce - Itaúnas, ES
Sand dunes, coral reefs and a waterway (Riacho Doce) almost on the border of Espírito Santo and Bahia. Access by beach trekking (about 6 miles) or by car with a guide.
3. Tambaba - Conde, PB
Grottoes, corals, natural pools. Separate, controlled area enclosed by high cliffs is the pioneer of official Brazil nude beaches and the site of the 31st World Naturist Congress in September 2008. Easy access from the PB-08 freeway.
4. Praia do Cedro - Ubatuba, SP
Preserved forest, diving, rich ocean life. Access by trekking (about 1 hour) from Praia da Fortaleza.
5. Barra dos Remédios - Camocim, CE
Sand dunes, strong winds, a lagoon at the mouth of the Rio dos Remédios. Access by buggy or 4-wheel drive vehicles.
6. Carro Quebrado - Barra de Santo Antônio, AL
Access by boat/car/walking or buggy. Folha de São Paulo writer Margareth Magalhães recommends hiring local guides. The name of the beach ("broken car") is due to rocks that can only be seen when the tide is low.
7. Bonete - Ilha Bela, SP
Great surfing, a nearby waterfall, an inn. Access by boat or by 4-hour trekking in the Atlantic Forest.
8. Icaraizinho de Amontada - Amontada, CE
Still primitive, a popular windsurf point. Access by dirt road (about 30 miles).
9. Lopes Mendes - Ilha Grande, RJ
Great surfing, plenty of space, gorgeous water color. Access: 45 minutes by boat plus 20-minute trekking, or 2 1/2-hour trekking.
10. Brava da Almada - Ubatuba, SP
Surfing, dolphis, sea turtles (Ubatuba has a Projeto Tamar station on a nearby beach. Part of Núcleo Picinguaba, a state conservation unit. Access by trails from neighboring beaches (Engenho, 10 minutes, and Fazenda, between 30 minutes and an hour).
