With beaches of fine white sand, warm and crystalline waters, idyllic landscapes and mouth-watering cuisine, the coast of Paraíba has been attracting tourists.

Paraíba is known for its tropical coastline and the portuguese colonial architecture.

The capital, João Pessoa, has beaches such as Manaíra and Tambaú, in addition to diving sites full of corals off the coast.

Along the Paraíba river, the city's historic center has colorful houses and the church of São Francisco, with a baroque architecture.

Ponta do Seixas, with the Cabo Branco lighthouse nearby, marks the easternmost point of the Americas.

With just over 130 km in length, the coast of Paraíba leaves the impression of being easily exploited. However, some beaches north of João Pessoa have more complicated access. You can use the capital's infrastructure as a base and take advantage of the day trips along the waterfront.

Include Paraíba in your travel plan if you like cliffs – they are popular on most of the coast. The beaches below do not follow a ranking, they are listed from south to north:

Best Beaches on the Coast of Paraíba

1. Pitimbu Beach – Pitimbu
2. Tambaba Beach – Conde
3. Coqueirinho Beach – Conde
4. Tabatinga Beach – Conde
5. Cabo Branco Beach and Tambaú – João Pessoa
6. Bessa Beach – Joao Pessoa
7. Jacare Beach – Cabedelo
8. Miriri Beach – Rio Tinto
9. Bela Beach – Pitimbu
10. Barra do Abiaí Beach – Pitimbu
11. Tambá Beach – Traição Bay
12. Barra de Camaratuba – Marataca
13. Beaches on the coast of João Pessoa
14. Beaches on the South Coast of Paraíba
15. Beaches on the North Coast of Paraíba

Videos about the beaches of Paraíba

1. Pitimbu Beach – Pitimbu

The central beach of the homonymous municipality of Pitimbu is the joy of those who travel as a family.

Despite being busy, the strip of sand is very generous and the sea, even at high tide, is very gentle, so much so that windsurfers also like to play cards. There is no shortage of bars to quench people's hunger and thirst.

Distance from João Pessoa: 63 km

Veja Pitimbu in Paraíba has a scenery rich in natural pools, estuaries and cliffs

2. Tambaba Beach – Conde

The beach is divided into two parts. In the first and smaller, the nude is forbidden and visitors find a natural pool that is a bit dull among the rocks.

A concierge signals access to the second part, where only the naked have a chance – anyone wearing swim trunks or bikini can't even take a peek.

Here is the most scenic stretch, with an imposing cliff and a wonderful sea in 300 meters of beach. Unaccompanied men have no time there or can enter the company of a couple. 

Distance from João Pessoa: 42 km

3. Coqueirinho Beach – Conde

If you were afraid to visit Tambaba, don't worry: a little further up, seven kilometers to the north, Coqueirinho beach is just as scenic.

The name in the diminutive does not do it justice, it should be “Coqueirões” or “Coqueiral”, such is the amount of trees.

Which is good news, it has shade to choose from. In the shape of a cove, the beach with calm waters is a delight for those traveling with children. Generally, buggy rides from João Pessoa stop here for lunch.

But the options are few and basic. You just need to be smart about the beach access: a steep descent on a very boring sandy road. If you prefer, you can walk from Praia de Tabatinga (we will talk more about it below), on a three-kilometer route through cliffs.

Distance from João Pessoa: 35 km

4. Tabatinga Beach – Conde

At one end, the lagoons are formed by the meeting of the Bocatu River with the sea. On the other side, impressive colored cliffs. Between the lagoon and the cliffs, a beach that is not very busy and without structure, but with a beautiful view.

The fine sand invites you to take a walk, while the sea, sometimes rough, calls for caution. 

Coconut trees and reefs help to compose the beautiful scenery. If you are going to spend the day at the beach, you should bring a snack. There's even a structure on the sand, but it's exclusive to guests at a nearby resort.

Distance from João Pessoa: 33 km

5. Cabo Branco and Tambaú Beach – João Pessoa

Let's talk about the two beaches in the same text, after all there is no geographic accident dividing them (only the name of the neighborhoods) and they have many similarities.

These are the two most central beaches on the coast of João Pessoa, where the bulk of hotels and restaurants are located, as well as a good number of tents on the beach.

in the stretch of White handle, the sand is softer than Tambaú, but both are great for hiking.

If you don't want to step on the sand, you can use the boardwalk along the shore and, in the case of White handle, the coastal avenue is closed to cars during the morning so that residents and tourists can practice sports. Sea bath? Despite the murky waters, you can enter without problem.

The waves are calm and the temperature is very warm. In Tambaú, departs a boat trip that takes you to the Picãozinho natural pools when the tide is low.

6. Praia do Bessa – João Pessoa

But its greatest asset is a barrier reef 800 m from the coast, about 4 km long.

To get there, people enjoy the calm of the water and go by kayak or stand-up paddle.

Because of the reefs, the beach is also called “Caribessa”.

7. Jacaré Beach – Cabedelo

Here is a poetic license. Better said, boleristics.

It is a river beach, where nobody swims in the river and people start arriving around 16pm.

If people paint there in the late afternoon, you don't have to burn your eyelashes much to discover that it has to do with the sunset.

The beach, which is in Cabedelo, a neighboring municipality João Pessoa, gained fame due to a local artist, Jurandy do Sax, who, inside a canoe in the middle of the Paraíba River, sings Ravel's bolero every single day at the same time.

Until 2015, people followed the show inside the bars or on catamarans on the river.

It was then that the Public Ministry took action and ordered the bars to be demolished. Today, in addition to the boats, people meet on a short wall to be moved by the chords in the afternoon. And you can still buy souvenirs at a craft store.

Distance from João Pessoa: 11 km

8. Miriri Beach – Rio Tinto

The northern stretch of the coast of Paraíba is much more native than the south.

There are no beaches that are very crowded and, in some cases, you have to suffer a lot to get there.

Miriri is part of this team. To reach it only through a buggy ride that leaves from João Pessoa or by a very sandy road from the Praia da Campina.

So much effort to discover a beach formed by the mouth of the Miriri River, coconut trees and incredibly colorful cliffs. In addition, the possibility of alternating between bathing in the sea, river and lagoon. Take food, you won't find anything nearby.

Distance from João Pessoa: 38 km

9. Praia Bela – Pitimbu

Praia Bela is constituted by a spectacular open sea, with strong and very long waves over the sand, at times of high tide. So much so that it lends itself to water sports such as surfing and windsurfing, especially in strong winds.

Praia Bela is an excellent place for those looking for leisure options, gastronomic experiences or simply rest. 44 kilometers from the capital, João Pessoa, access is via PB-008 and the place is just a few minutes away from other popular spots, such as the naturist beach of Staggered.

Distance from João Pessoa: 44 km from Joao Pessoa

10. Barra do Abiaí Beach – Pitimbu

Praia de Barra do Abiaí has ​​wild, calm and beautiful nature.

Those looking for peace and pure nature cannot miss Barra do Abiaí beach, on the fantastic South Coast of Paraíba. Just as Praia Bela, on the coast of Pitimbu, is an increasingly popular place for sun and sea tourism, its neighbor, Barra do Abiaí, also promises.  

Distance from João Pessoa: 60 km from Joao Pessoa

11. Tambá Beach – Baía da Traição

Baía da Traição is a small town 90 km from João Pessoa with nearby indigenous villages – so much so that its name refers to the place where the Indians attacked the Portuguese. The central beach has some structure and movement on the weekend.

Five kilometers to the north, Tambá is a peaceful place. There, on top of a cliff, is the Alto de Tamba village (formerly Galego), which sells indigenous handicrafts and sweets.

Despite poor signage, the village can be reached by car, continuing along a trail. But many prefer to walk a half hour from Baía da Traição.

The sea is one of the most beautiful in the Paraíba, but the waves are very violent, so much so that it is one of the surf spots in the state. A beach to call your own.

Distance from João Pessoa: 95 km

12. Barra de Camaratuba – Marataca

In the extreme north of Paraíba, Barra de Camaratuba already shows signs that we are approaching the Potiguar coast by showing a unique scenario until then in the state with dunes and Atlantic Forest.

The fishing village has a basic structure with few restaurants and inns.

As the name implies, the center is next to the mouth of the Camaratuba River. A ferry takes you to the desert Cardosas Beach, in Baía da Traição.

In fact, the beaches there are zero movement. A buggy ride is the best way to get to know the beaches to the north, with such dunes, as well as mangroves.

The presence of surfers (few) in the sea demonstrates that the sea bath is agitated. Kitesurfers and windmills signal strong winds.

Distance from João Pessoa: 115 km

13. Beaches on the coast of João Pessoa

The coast of João Pessoa has the popular beaches of Cabo Branco, Tambaú, Manaíra and Bessa. Sidewalks that allow for hiking or walking.

Bike paths that offer the practice of activities such as cycling, skating and skating. In addition, it is from these beaches that the water rides to the Seixas Natural Pools and Bessa Natural Pools depart.

On Bessa beach, there is also the possibility of activities in kayaks and Stand Up Paddle – the latter can be performed, even during the night shift. But, all of them in line with the tide table.

See also other features João Pessoa in Paraíba – Sights and Historic Center

14. Beaches on the South Coast of Paraíba

On the South Coast, the scenery is more exotic.

Among the beaches it is possible to mention Barra de Gramame, Praia do Sol, Praia do Amor, Jacumã, Coqueirinho, Carapibus, Praia Bela, Praia de Barra do Abiaí and Tambaba.

The latter being the first naturist beach in the Northeast and is also known for hosting naturist surfing championships. One way to get to know the main beaches of the South Coast is through buggy rides.

15. Beaches on the North Coast of Paraíba

The North Coast is made up of 19 beaches that are spread over five municipalities in Paraíba.

In the municipality of Cabedelo, for example, the beaches of Camboinha and Ponta de Campina are an option for those who go with children because of the tranquility of their waters. It is from these beaches that catamarans and boats depart for the island of Areia Vermelha.

Barra de Camaratuba, Baía da Traição and Lucena are also beaches that make up this third part of the coast of Paraíba.

Best beaches in João Pessoa, south and north coast of Paraíba