Natal Genipabu Dunes Buggy Tour & Lagoon Stops with Pickup

Summary

Buggy rides, ferry crossings, sand dunes and lagoon swims near Natal

You’ll ride a buggy from Natal with a local guide, cross sandy dunes at Genipabu, relax at Pitangui Lagoon’s bar, try skybunda or ziplining at Jacumã beach, and enjoy lunch by the sea. Expect laughter (and maybe some nerves) as you speed across dunes—the kind of day that lingers long after you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

We hopped into the buggy right outside our hotel in Natal—no waiting around, just straight into the salty air. Our driver, João, had that relaxed way locals do here, sunglasses on and one hand drumming the wheel as we zipped along Via Costeira. I caught flashes of fishermen untangling nets on Redinha Beach, and for a second it felt like we were part of their morning. The engine hummed over the sand, sometimes loud enough to drown out my own thoughts.

I didn’t expect the dunes at Genipabu to feel so huge up close—like soft mountains you could actually touch. João grinned before gunning it up a slope (my heart dropped for a second), then let us out to see the dromedaries lounging in the sun. There was this weird mix of sunscreen smell and salty breeze everywhere. We crossed on a little ferry at Barra do Rio—just us and another family snapping photos—and I tried not to drop my phone in the water. The sky kept changing; one minute cloudy, then suddenly blinding blue.

Pitangui Lagoon was calmer than I thought. We waded in while some kids splashed nearby and ordered cold coconut water from a guy who barely looked up from his crossword. Forty minutes went by fast there. At Jacumã dunes, João suggested “skybunda”—basically sliding down sand into the lagoon on a board—which sounded ridiculous but somehow I ended up laughing harder than anyone else. Lunch was at this open-air place by the sea; grilled fish, rice, beans—the usual but somehow better after all that sun.

If the tides are right you might get further to Porto Mirim or Muriu, but honestly by then I was already half-asleep from all the wind and sun. On the drive back to Natal I kept thinking about that first rush over the dunes—how you can’t really explain it until you’ve done it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy tour along Natal coast

• Start from hotels in Natal
• Pass Via Costeira with views
• Pass Redinha Beach
• Pass other beaches
• Buggy ride in Genipabu dunes
• Cross ferry at Barra do Rio
• Stop 40 minutes at Pitangui Lagoon bar
• Visit Jacumã dunes and lagoon
• Optional skybunda, zip line, aerobunda
• Lunch at seaside restaurant
• Extend trip to Porto Mirim and Muriu (tide permitting)
• Return to Natal

Top questions

How long is the buggy tour from Natal?

The tour lasts most of the day with multiple stops including beaches and lagoons before returning to Natal.

Is hotel pickup included for this Genipabu dunes buggy tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for guests staying in Natal.

What activities are available at Jacumã dunes?

You can try optional activities like skybunda (sandboarding), zip line, or aerobunda into the lagoon.

Are meals included on this day trip?

Lunch is available at a seaside restaurant during the tour but is not specifically listed as included.

How many people fit in each buggy?

The buggies have capacity for up to 4 people; if your group is smaller you may share with others.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants must sit on an adult’s lap and all fitness levels are welcome.

Which beaches and lagoons does this buggy tour visit?

The route includes Redinha Beach, Genipabu dunes, Pitangui Lagoon, Jacuma Beach and sometimes Porto Mirim or Muriu depending on tides.

Do we cross any rivers during this tour?

Yes, there’s a ferry crossing at Barra do Rio as part of the itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Natal with an accredited buggy driver who guides you through coastal roads and sandy dunes; ferry crossing fees are covered along with time to swim or relax at lagoons like Pitangui; all transport between stops is by open-air buggy so you get plenty of fresh air along the way before returning to town in the afternoon.