Praia do Pontal

Across the Rio de Contas, just a few minutes by canoe from the Coroinha port, Pontal has coconut palms and sand with no beach huts, strong open sea and a walk to Barra do Piracanga, 6 km away.

The canoe pulls away from the port and the town shrinks behind it: first Coroinha, then Concha, both taking up the same view. Within minutes the noise of the center falls away and the sound of the open sea takes over, pounding hard on the other side. The boat touches shore, you step onto the sand of Pontal and look north: coconut palms, sand and not a single building. Itacaré sits on the opposite bank, and the Península de Maraú begins right here.

The crossing

Pontal lies opposite the center, across the Rio de Contas, north of town. You can only get there by boat. Canoes and motorboats make the crossing daily from the port at Praia da Coroinha, on the Orla.

The trip takes just a few minutes, usually under ten, and costs between R$ 5 and R$ 10. Arrange your return with the boatman before you walk away from the landing point: there is practically no infrastructure on this side, and it is the boatman who decides the return time.

Two sides of the same beach

Pontal has two personalities. On the river side the water is calm, and the stretch works well for stand up paddle. On the open-sea side the waves are strong and there is a current, especially near the river mouth. Swimming there is dangerous and calls for great care.

For surfing, Pontal is a tubular right-hander over a rocky bottom, recommended for advanced surfers. It works best with a south or southeast swell, from May to September. Those who don't surf can watch from the sand, at a respectful distance.

Miles of sand, not a single beach hut

There are no beach huts or kiosks. What you'll find is sand and coconut palms for kilometers, all the way to Barra do Piracanga, 6 km to the north, at the municipality's boundary. Continuing along the sand, you reach Praia do Piracanga.

It is the gateway to the Península de Maraú, and the walk is rewarding: you can go for hours without coming across a building. Since there is nowhere to buy anything, bring water and whatever you plan to eat, and take your trash back with you.

Who it's for

For those who prefer a long beach with no facilities, enjoy walking on the sand and see the crossing as part of the outing. Also for advanced surfers during swell season and for anyone who wants to paddle on the river side. It's not the right beach for anyone who needs a beach hut, restrooms or rented shade, nor for families with small children who want to get in the sea: the open side is strong. Visitors often highlight the feeling of isolation just a few minutes from town.

Practical info

Getting there: crossing by canoe or motorboat over the Rio de Contas, leaving from the port at Praia da Coroinha, on Itacaré's Orla. Boat is the only way to get there.
Crossing: a few minutes, usually under ten; between R$ 5 and R$ 10 per trip, with daily departures.
Distance from the center: opposite the center, across the river, north of town.
Sea: calm on the river side, good for SUP; strong waves and current on the open-sea side.
Surfing: tubular right-hander, rocky bottom, advanced level; best with a south/southeast swell from May to September.
Facilities: practically none; no beach huts or kiosks. Arrange your return with the boatman.
Walking: along the sand to Barra do Piracanga, 6 km north.
What to bring: water, food and a bag for your trash.
Safety: swim in the open sea with great care, because of the current near the river mouth.

Before you go

Getting there: Crossing by canoe or motorboat over the Rio de Contas, leaving from the Orla/port of Itacaré (a few minutes).; It lies across the Rio de Contas, north of town; accessible only by boat. Prefeitura de Itacaré; Small boats make the crossing daily from the port at Praia da Coroinha. itacare.com.br; It faces the town, across the Rio de Contas: from the sands of Pontal you can see Coroinha and Praia da Concha. Bruno Ferreira, editor (conhecimento local)
Trail: Canoe over the Rio de Contas, a few minutes; Continuing along Pontal, over the sand, you reach Praia do Piracanga. Bruno Ferreira, editor (conhecimento local)
Distance: Opposite the center, across the river.
Duration: Boat crossing of 5 minutes at most. Ecovila Piracanga
Price: The crossing costs between R$ 5 and R$ 10 per trip and takes less than 10 minutes. Guia de Praias
Sea: Strong open sea, with a current near the river mouth; swim with great care.; The river side is calm (good for SUP); the open-sea side has strong waves and a current, with dangerous swimming. itacare.com.br; Tubular right-hand surf break, rocky bottom, advanced; best with a south/southeast swell from May to September. Surfguru
Facilities: Practically none; arrange your return with the boatman.; No beach huts or kiosks; kilometers of sand and coconut palms to Barra do Piracanga, 6 km north, at the municipality's boundary. itacare.com.br
Good to know: It is the gateway to the Península de Maraú: from the sands of Pontal you can walk for hours without coming across a building.