Lagoinha Beach day trip: Pirates' hideaway & red dunes

Spend a full day at a beach the pirates once hid in

A full-day trip from Fortaleza to Lagoinha Beach in the Paraipaba district takes you 104 km to a former French pirate hideaway now a quiet fisherman's colony ringed by coconut palms, white sand and red dunes. Hotel pickup and a professional guide in your chosen language are included. Optional boat rides on the Almecegas Pond and pau-de-arara truck rides are available on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Lagoinha Beach

• Travel 104 km from Fortaleza
• Explore Lagoinha fisherman colony
• Enjoy landscape of beaches and dunes
• Optional jangada sailboat ride
• Optional pau-de-arara truck ride
• Have seafood at local restaurants
• Return to Fortaleza hotel

The experience

Lagoinha sits 104 km from Fortaleza along the Sol Poente Route, a stretch of coast where the landscape shifts from city to palm-dotted quiet. The beach itself is set in a natural bay, with white sand sloping into calm water and red dunes rising behind it. What makes it worth the drive is the history: this was once an ancient hiding place for French pirates, and the name still carries that weight even though the only activity now is fishing boats and the occasional visitor. The fisherman's colony that occupies it today moves at a different pace entirely.

You leave Fortaleza in the morning with a professional guide who speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on which option you choose. The drive takes several hours, but the route itself is part of the experience. You pass through landscape that opens up as you move away from the city. Once at Lagoinha, you have time to walk the beach, swim in the bay, and sit at one of the local seafood restaurants that line the shore. If you want to add to the day, optional jangada sailboat rides on the Almecegas Pond are available, as are pau-de-arara rides: the open-sided trucks traditionally used by migrants, now offered as a way to see the dunes and the surrounding area. Both cost extra and depend on availability. The return to your hotel happens in the late afternoon, completing the full eight-hour loop.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from your Fortaleza accommodation.
• access to Lagoinha Beach and the Paraipaba district for the full day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Portuguese speaking07:30Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Lagoinha Beach tour with a Portuguese-speaking guide, includes pickup

English Speaking Guide07:30Lagoinha Beach tour led by an English-speaking guide, pickup is included

Spanish speaking07:30Spanish-speaking Lagoinha Beach tour with a Spanish-speaking guide, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 30 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?Choose this trip if you have a full day free and want to reach a beach most Fortaleza visitors skip. The drive is long, but it leaves you with hours to swim, eat fresh seafood and explore the dunes without the crowds of closer beaches.

Traveler reviews

4.76★★★★★★★★★★

34 verified traveler reviews

5 ★29

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How far is Lagoinha Beach from Fortaleza?

Lagoinha Beach is 104 km from Fortaleza, located in the Paraipaba district along the Sol Poente Route. The drive takes several hours each way as part of the full-day trip.

What was Lagoinha Beach used for historically?

Lagoinha was an ancient hiding place for French pirates. Today it is a quiet fisherman's colony, but the name and the history remain part of what draws visitors to the bay.

Can I add boat rides or truck tours to the day?

Yes, optional jangada sailboat rides on the Almecegas Pond and pau-de-arara truck rides are available on the day for approximately US$20 each, subject to availability.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fortaleza and a professional guide in your chosen language are included. Food and drinks are not, but local seafood restaurants operate along the beach.

How long is the full day trip?

The trip runs eight hours total, including the drive from Fortaleza, time at Lagoinha Beach, and the return to your hotel in the late afternoon.