“Brazil at its mind-blowing best. The journey is worth it.”
JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD MAGAZINE EDITOR
The Lure
In Atins you can go on epic downwinders and ride across acres of flat water lagoon waters with waves on the outside. You're also just a few kilometres from the Lençois Maranhenses National Park!
Tucked away in the delta of the River Preguiças, Atins is a secluded and picturesque fishing village surrounded by large flat water lagoons that appear as the tide drops. This place has something to offer kiters of all levels with awesome conditions and an authentic cultural experience on its sandy, quiet streets.
Photos: Freeride Kitesurf and Analice Diniz
Check out Andre Penna's video below. He is one of the wildest kiteboarding guides we’ve met and extremely connected to the nature of his homelands around Atins in Brazil:
The setup
Atins is one of Brazil’s northernmost kiting destinations, tucked away in the delta of the River Preguiças. Kiteworld editor Jim enjoyed a visit with Surfin Sem Fim a couple of seasons ago and reckons it’s one of the most mind-blowing locations for a combination of foiling, twin-tipping and wave riding!
Super secluded and lush, Atins often serves as the final stop on some epic downwinders run by Brazilian expedition operators, Surfin Sem Fim and Freeride Kitesurf. The main beach is surrounded by a large flat water lagoon and gets super reliable wind too!
There are two dedicated launching areas on Atins beach. The spot is very tidal with sandbanks emerging on low tide with perfectly flat turquoise waters that are ideal for freestyle. As the water fills in you can foil upwind to the far reaches of the lagoon and up into the river mouth for some breath-taking adventures. The spot has something to offer everyone, from novices to professional riders and outside the lagoon you can get surf peeling along the sandbar making for some some fun cross-off and cross-shore sessions and downwinders.
On a high tide the water's still pretty flat but you can get fun bump and jump conditions and you can also take a day trip with Vila Guará, Freeride Kitesurf or Surfin Sem Fim into the Lençois Maranhenses National park, which can involve a short downwinder to Rio Negro (around 15km).
In the park you'll find seemingly endless lagoons to explore and there'll be a support 4x4 and a guide on hand to lead you on the adventure. If you want to get an idea of what this place is like, check out Bruna Kajiya's section in Eyeforce's seminal kite-flick, Chapter One, or Google the Red Bull Rally Dos Ventos - a rally-style race that sees some of the world's top pros race full-tilt down the coast and then across the dunes and lagoons of the Lençoises.
Atins and Lençois National Park - Kitesurf Paradise
Wind, weather & water
The wind blows along this stretch of coastline from June to January, with October and November being the windiest months, frequently pushing up to 30 knots and beyond. You’ll need a seven or nine metre kite most of the time in season, with the occasional 12 metre day as well. Generally the wind is smooth and comfortably strong without being overpowering.
The water is a delightful 27°C / 80°F for much of the year. You won’t need a wetsuit, but a rash guard is a good idea for protection.
Atins Kiteboarding is Vila Guara's integrated kiteschool situated directly at the kite spot, offering private and semiprivate kite lessons. All instructors are experienced IKO internationally certified instructors. Brand new equipment is provided by the school, including the use of radio communication. Lessons are available in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
You’ll find a range of accommodation options around Atins, including cheap and cheerful backpacker hostels, luxury boutique pousadas and a range of self-catering holiday houses. The price range for accommodation varies considerably, from R$100 to R$1,600 per night depending on how much luxury you’re looking for and if you’re in high season. If you’re on a Freeride Kitesurf or SSF trip then they’ll arrange accommodation for you. Freeride Kitesurf can also arrange six-night stays in Atins with transfers, half board and more included.
There are two dedicated launching areas on Atins beach and you’ll find VILA GUARA located directly on one of them with ideal access, and is where editor Jim stayed on his visit. The hotel offers an inflating / rinsing platform, integrated kitesurfing school (Atins Kiteboarding), restaurant, beach bar, lockers and massage area. The Vila Guará team can also facilitate your adventure in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and your arrival transfers.
Accommodation setup at Convento Arcádia / Photos: Convento Arcádia
TRAVEL AGENTS
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
If there’s no wind then the Lençóis Maranhenses is really worth exploring on foot and you can also go SUPing, fishing, or just relax by the beach. Atins is a quiet area but there are a few restaurants hidden around the village (many of which are housed within pousadas). This area of coastline has numerous traditional fishing villages, similar to Atins, where you can get a glimpse of life away from tourism in this part of Brazil.
If you don’t downwind to Atins on a trip, then it’s likely you’ll transfer to your accommodation by small boat through beautiful Amazonian-like waterways from the port town. It’s an amazing experience.
AIRPORT
The nearest major domestic airport to Atins and the Lençóis Maranhenses is São Luís (SLZ). The closest international airports are in Fortaleza (FOR), Belem (BEL) or Natal (NAT), from where you can fly on to São Luís. Many domestic or international flights might also be routed via the capital Brasília (BSB). Freeride Kitesurf can arrange your transit from Fortaleza to Atins.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
Atins Sustentável is a non-profit organisation founded by residents and local business owners from Atins and the surrounding area. A mixture of people from Atins and ex-pats who now call it their home, the group aims to promote sustainable travel and development in the area. They can advise you on where to stay and what to see during your time in Atins.
