Brazil’s latest kitesurfing hotspot
For all the kiters who are on the quest for a mind-blowing, extraordinary spot that exuberates out-of-this-world magic, Atins is your golden ticket. This jewel is set away from the masses and is regarded as the next hotspot in Brazil! Development is picking up and thus Atins has quite a number of sophisticated pousadas and restaurants to choose from these days.
The uniqueness and charm of Atins lies in its variety. Whether you are into Foil, Freestyle, Freeride, Wave, Downwind, you can really mix things up here. And of course, the magic of the Lençóis Maranhenses can be experienced too! You can explore it while kitesurfing, on foot during an adventurous trek or galloping along the dunes on horseback.
Atins is also the final destination for many downwinders starting in the Delta Parnaíba, Preá/Jeri, or even all the way from Taiba/Cumbuco.
From Atins beach (200m from our hotel), you’ll find yourself in a flatwater paradise – the expansive river mouth which opens into the ocean, yet lies being protected by a huge sandbank. Free of rocks, stones and obstacles in the water the only worry here are the tides and currents.
At low tide, a number of sandbanks emerge, forming crystal turquoise lagoons with flat water that are perfect for freestyle. As you ride out the canal towards the open sea, waves start to roll in – which is ideal for kitesurf. If you head further out, either upwind or downwind, you’ll find ever bigger waves to surf on.
At high tide, you’ll encounter choppier waters in the river mouth, which is ideal for fun bump and jump conditions – and there’ll be a lot of space to play with! It’s also the right time to foil upriver for some exciting and beautiful adventures.
Atins Kiteboarding organises downwind trips, which pass the deserted beaches of the Lençóis Maranhenses. The short downwind trips (14km) are generally combined with a visit to kiteboard one of the lagoons inside the park. Prepare yourself for a day of adventure!
Secluded and set away from mainstream tourist development, you can just imagine that getting to Atins is no easy feat! If you do not arrive with an organized Downwind group you are essentially left with two choices. Either follow the downwind route from Fortaleza and probably combine your trip with stops in a number of other destinations on the way, or fly into the nearest airport in São Luís, the capital of Maranhão. From São Luís it’s 300km and six hours (or more) with layover in Barreirinhas. Coming from Fortaleza it'll be about 650km and about 12 hours non-stop.
Atins is a fairly quiet, yet growing place. Though there are quite a few accommodation options, bars and restaurants, the opposite can be said for shops and boutiques – so remember to bring all that you need - especially cash! hTere is no cash machine or money exchange, so make sure to bring some reais (BRL), even though most places accept card payment these days. There is also no mobile signal and Wifi coverage can still be a little flaky at times. If you’re looking for a quiet place with plenty of options to connect with nature and take a break from hyper-speed civilization you are in the right spot! And be warned, Atins is not cheap, even when travelling on foreign currency.
Serving as one of the access points for the famous Lençóis Maranhenses Atins offers plenty of options for the adventurous spirit. You can find a number of excursions and trips on our site or you can simply relax in our pool or lounge in the hammock on your private veranda.