Nudist Beaches in Brazil and the Northeast: 2026 Guide

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Nudist beaches in Brazil at a glance (2026)

Beach	State	Status
Tambaba	Paraíba	Official since 1991
Massarandupió (Praia das Dunas)	Bahia	Official (2018 municipal law)
Abricó	Rio de Janeiro	Official (1994 municipal law)
Olho de Boi	Rio de Janeiro (Búzios)	Official since 2003
Barra Seca	Espírito Santo	Recognised by the FBrN
Pedras Altas	Santa Catarina (Palhoça)	Recognised by the FBrN
Galheta	Santa Catarina (Florianópolis)	Legal status unclear
Pinho	Santa Catarina (Balneário Camboriú)	Nudism banned since December 2025

There are several nudist beaches in Brazil devoted to naturism, where social nudity is allowed and respected. In the Northeast, in fact, the two official ones are Tambaba, in Paraíba, and Massarandupió, in Bahia.

That is why, in this guide, you will discover the nudist beaches in Brazil recognised by the Federação Brasileira de Naturismo (FBrN), the Brazilian Naturism Federation, along with the rules of each one and their updated status in 2026. In addition, we explain the difference between naturism, nudism and naturalism.

Naturism, nudism and naturalism: what is the difference?

1. Naturism

According to the International Naturist Federation, naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature, characterised by the practice of social nudity, with respect for oneself, for others and for the environment. For this reason, many naturists also value healthy eating and a sustainable lifestyle.

2. Nudism

Nudism, on the other hand, is the practice of being unclothed in social settings, without any sexual connotation. In other words, it is one part of naturism, and in practice the two terms are often used as synonyms.

3. Naturalism

Naturalism, however, has nothing to do with nudity. It is a philosophical doctrine that considers nature to be the only reality and, therefore, denies the supernatural.

In all cases, it is worth remembering that naturism has nothing to do with fetishes, voyeurism or swinging. On the contrary, such behaviour is forbidden on naturist beaches and can lead to expulsion.

Videos about nudist beaches in Brazil and Colina do Sol, in Rio Grande do Sul

Praia de Tambaba

Nudismo em Tambaba20:21

Tour por Tambaba na Paraíba

Colina do Sol no RS

Praia do Pinho em SC08:06

Praia Pedras Altas em SC07:15

Naturismo em Abricó no RJ11:51

Nudist beaches in Brazil

Praia de Tambaba, in Paraíba
Praia de Massarandupió, in Bahia
Praia do Abricó, in Rio de Janeiro
Praia Olho de Boi, in Búzios (RJ)
Praia da Barra Seca, in Espírito Santo
Praia de Pedras Altas, in Palhoça (SC)
Praia da Galheta, in Florianópolis (SC)
Praia do Pinho, in Balneário Camboriú (SC) – nudism banned

Nudist beaches in the Northeast

1. Praia de Tambaba – Paraíba

Tambaba, in the municipality of Conde, about 35 km from João Pessoa, was the first nudist beach in the Northeast, made official in 1991. Moreover, with its cliffs and natural pools, it is divided into two parts: a naturist one, where nudity is mandatory, and another where you can stay clothed.

Tambaba naturist beach, in Paraíba — Praia de Tambaba in Paraíba

The rules, however, are strict. For example, unaccompanied men may only enter the naturist area with a naturist card, whereas women on their own, couples and families can enter freely. Find out more in our guide to naturism at Praia de Tambaba.

2. Praia de Massarandupió – Bahia

Praia de Massarandupió, also known as Praia das Dunas, is located in Entre Rios, about 93 km from Salvador, and it is the only naturist beach in Bahia. Finally, it was made official by a municipal law in 2018.

Naturism at Praia de Massarandupió, Bahia — Massarandupió nudist beach, Bahia

Besides its impressive dunes, the beach has stalls selling food and drinks. First, there is an adaptation area, where clothing is optional; beyond it, nudity is mandatory. See also our guide to naturism in Massarandupió and at Ecovila da Mata.

Nudist beaches in the Southeast

3. Praia do Abricó – Rio de Janeiro

Praia do Abricó, in Rio’s West Zone, next to Grumari, is the city’s only official naturist beach, regulated by a municipal law since 1994. Today, it is looked after by the Associação Naturista de Abricó (Abricó Naturist Association) and is surrounded by Atlantic Forest vegetation.

Naturism at Praia do Abricó, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

First of all, access is via Avenida Estado da Guanabara, the coastal road that leaves from Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Right at the entrance, there is a short stretch where you can stay clothed; from there on, however, nudity is mandatory.

4. Praia Olho de Boi – Búzios (RJ)

In Búzios, the small Praia Olho de Boi has been an official naturist beach since 2003. To get there, however, you need to hike a trail of 20 to 40 minutes from Praia Brava.

Naturism at Praia Olho de Boi, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro — Olho de Boi nudist beach, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro

In return, the beach has crystal-clear water and rich marine life. However, there are no facilities at all, so bring water, food and sunscreen.

5. Praia da Barra Seca – Espírito Santo

Praia da Barra Seca is located in Linhares, in the north of Espírito Santo. It is, therefore, an isolated and peaceful beach: to get there, you first drive along a stretch of dirt road and then cross the river by boat.

Barra Seca naturist beach in Espírito Santo — Praia da Barra Seca in Espírito Santo

There, nudity is mandatory and, in addition, there is a separate area for people on their own. There are also basic facilities, with kiosks, toilets and a campsite.

Nudist beaches in the South

6. Praia de Pedras Altas – Palhoça (SC)

Praia de Pedras Altas, about 30 km from Florianópolis, is a small beach surrounded by vegetation. Access, meanwhile, is via a dirt road that leaves from the BR-101 highway.

Praia de Pedras Altas, Palhoça SC – Nudist beach

Although there is no specific municipal law, the beach is recognised by the FBrN and managed as a naturist area. Thus, nudity is mandatory, and there are separate areas for families and for people on their own. Furthermore, the site has a guesthouse, a restaurant and a campsite.

7. Praia da Galheta – Florianópolis (SC)

Praia da Galheta, around 900 metres long, has been frequented by naturists since the 1980s. As with other beaches, access is via a trail, which starts at Praia Mole.

Naturism at Praia da Galheta, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina — Praia da Galheta, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

However, the municipal authorisation for naturism was revoked in 2016, and since then the legal status has been unclear. Meanwhile, bills to regulate nudity on the sand and in the sea once again are under discussion in the City Council. So, before you go, check the rules currently in force.

8. Praia do Pinho – Balneário Camboriú (SC)

Praia do Pinho was the pioneer of naturism in Brazil: frequented by naturists since the 1980s, it was where the FBrN was founded, in 1988.

Praia do Pinho, Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina

However, in December 2025, the Balneário Camboriú city government banned nudism on all of the city’s beaches, including Pinho. The FBrN then challenged the ban in court, but in March 2026 the Santa Catarina Court of Justice upheld the ban pending a final ruling. Therefore, nudism is currently not permitted at Praia do Pinho.

Etiquette on naturist beaches

Nudity is mandatory: in the naturist area, everyone must be naked, that is, without exception, except in the adaptation areas.
No photos: therefore, do not photograph or film other people without their permission.
Respect: staring, comments and any sexual behaviour are forbidden and can lead to expulsion.
Men on their own: on some beaches, such as Tambaba, they can only enter with a naturist card; on others, there are separate areas.
Towel: in addition, for hygiene reasons, always sit on a towel or sarong.

Frequently asked questions about nudist beaches in Brazil

Which are the official nudist beaches in Brazil?

First of all, according to the FBrN, they are Tambaba (PB), Massarandupió (BA), Abricó and Olho de Boi (RJ), Barra Seca (ES), and Pedras Altas and Galheta (SC). However, Galheta’s legal status is unclear.

Which are the nudist beaches in the Northeast?

Currently, there are two: Tambaba, in Conde, near João Pessoa (PB), and Massarandupió, in Entre Rios, about 93 km from Salvador (BA).

Is nudism still allowed at Praia do Pinho?

No. After all, since December 2025, a Balneário Camboriú law has banned nudism on all of the city’s beaches, and the courts upheld the ban in March 2026, until the case receives a final ruling.

Can a man on his own visit a nudist beach?

It depends on the beach. In Tambaba, for example, unaccompanied men must show a naturist card. In Barra Seca and Pedras Altas, on the other hand, there are separate areas for people on their own.

What is the difference between naturism and nudism?

In short, nudism is the practice of being unclothed in social settings. Naturism, by contrast, is broader: it is a way of life that, in addition to nudity, values respect for nature, for others and for oneself.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 29/05/2018 · Updated on 18/10/2026