North Coast of RN: A Guide to Stunning Beaches

Discover the North Coast of Rio Grande do Norte

The North Coast of Rio Grande do Norte enchants with its rustic beauty, ideal for one or two day trips in buggies or four wheel drive vehicles, up to the Ceará border.

Galinhos no Litoral Norte do RN — Galinhos on the north coast of RN

A natural wealth

With around 250 kilometres of coastline, this region is made up of fishing villages, where semi-deserted beaches stretch out, flanked by dunes, cliffs and calm waters, dotted with rafts and boats. Among its charms, the following stand out:

Touros
São Miguel do Gostoso
Galinhos
Ponta do Mel

These places are part of the Salt Coast or White Coast Pole, a reference to the salt pans that are concentrated in the area, mainly in Mossoró, Macau and Areia Branca, responsible for about 90 per cent of the salt produced in Brazil.

Videos about the North Coast of RN

Touros no RN

Touros no Rio Grande do Norte

Galinhos RN - Guia de Viagem02:14

Costa do Sal07:44

São Miguel do Gostoso02:36

Galinhos08:21

Praia Ponta do Mel RN08:40

Areia Branca RN - Drone02:28

Areia Branca RN - Guia de Turismo03:17

Farol do Calcanhar em Touros RN

São Miguel do Gostoso – RN01:43

5 coisas para fazer em São Miguel do Gostoso

Mapa das praias do Rio Grande do Norte — Map of beaches of Rio Grande do Norte

Main beaches of the North Coast

Touros: Known for its calm waters and quiet sands, this fishing village offers an incredible view of the Calcanhar lighthouse.
São Miguel do Gostoso: An almost deserted beach with a promenade dotted with palhoças, ideal for relaxing.
Tourinhos: Famous for its brown cliffs and vegetation shaped by the water.
Praia do Marco: A straight, deserted stretch of sand known for turtle nesting.
Galinhos: An invitation to swim in its river and sea waters.
Ponta do Mel: A wild beach surrounded by red cliffs and dunes, perfect for relaxing swims.
Tibau: Located on the border with Ceará, it is popular with holidaymakers from Mossoró, with a beautiful landscape of dunes and coconut trees.
Perobas: On the beach there is a dive site in the middle of the parrachos: at low tide, speedboats take visitors for two hours snorkelling on the 6 km long and 1.5 km wide reef.

Also the beaches of Carnaubinha, Farol, Gameleira and Garças.

Praia de Touros no Rio Grande do Norte — Touros beach, Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de São Miguel do Gostoso no Rio Grande do Norte — São Miguel do Gostoso beach in Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de Tourinhos no Rio Grande do Norte — Tourinhos beach at Rio Grande do Norte

Praia do Marco no Rio Grande do Norte — Marco beach in Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de Galinhos no Rio Grande do Norte — Galinhos beach at Rio Grande do Norte

Praia da Ponta do Mel no Rio Grande do Norte — Ponta do Mel beach at Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de Tibau no Rio Grande do Norte — Tibau beach in Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de Perobas no Rio Grande do Norte — Perobas beach at Rio Grande do Norte

Praia de Carnaubinha no Rio Grande do Norte — Carnaubinha beach at Rio Grande do Norte

Praia do Farol no Rio Grande do Norte — Farol beach at Rio Grande do Norte

The Calcanhar lighthouse

Farol do Calcanhar no Rio Grande do Norte — Calcanhar lighthouse

The Calcanhar lighthouse, built in 1943, is the highest lighthouse in Latin America at 65 metres high and 9 metres above sea level. The Lighthouse offers spectacular views of the deserted beaches on one side and the semi-arid vegetation on the other.

Towns on the north coast

São Miguel do Gostoso: 105 kilometres from Natal, this is a place where tourism respects the local culture. During the “farinhada” (August to January), you can learn the craft of turning manioc into flour.

Galinhos: A destination for the adventurous, accessible by boat after parking at a support point. The village has a rustic charm, with simple inns and stunning scenery.

Ponta do Mel: Part of the parish of Areia Branca, with houses descending from the cliffs to the beach. Access is easy by car or 4×4, but it’s important to refuel before taking the road through the dunes.

The North Coast Cliffs

The Cliffs of the North Coast are unique for several reasons:

Geological formations: The result of erosion processes, these formations create impressive landscapes with a palette of colours ranging from red to brown.
Biodiversity: The adapted vegetation that grows on the cliffs contributes to the region’s rich biodiversity, with native plants that thrive in arid conditions.
Natural Beauty: The height and extent of the cliffs offer panoramic views of the sea and beaches, creating picturesque backdrops that attract tourists and photographers.
Local Culture: The cliffs are associated with local history and traditions, influencing the culture and way of life of coastal communities.
Recreational Activities: They offer opportunities for walking, climbing and buggy rides, providing an enriching experience in contact with nature.
Environmental protection: Many areas around the cliffs are protected, promoting the preservation of the local ecosystem and sustainable tourism practices.

Activities on the beaches

The beaches of the North Coast of Rio Grande do Norte offer a wide variety of recreational activities, including

Buggy Rides: Explore the dunes and breathtaking landscapes in an exhilarating way.
Hiking and Trails: Enjoy the local biodiversity on trails along the cliffs and dunes.
Sea Bathing: Enjoy the calm, warm waters, perfect for relaxing.
Surfing and windsurfing: Try your hand at water sports at beaches such as Ponta do Santo Cristo.
Diving: Explore the rich marine life at places like Perobas beach.
Turtle Watching: See turtles nesting on some beaches.
Boat Trips: Explore the nearby rivers and mangroves.
Fishing: Participate in artisanal fishing with local communities.
Photography: Capture the stunning scenery and spectacular sunsets.
Local Gastronomy: Try the delicious cuisine based on fresh seafood.