Paraty: Kayaking Mangroves & Capybaras with River Views

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/28

Duration2h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · PT +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

Paddle into Paraty's mangrove, then past 300 years of colonial streets

You get instruction, a professional guide, and all safety gear included. Paddle through mangrove forest spotting capybaras and tropical birds, then navigate back through Paraty's colonial waterfront. The 90-minute paddle covers one stop and suits most fitness levels. Book one of two daily departures in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayaking tour from Paraty center

Brief instruction at Pontal beach
Depart towards Ilha dos Pombos
Appreciate exotic plants and views
Enter last mangrove in Paraty
Spot toucan, imperial heron, capybaras
Paddle to Perequê Açu river
Pass historic center of Paraty
Take photos of city sights
Finish with magnificent sunset

The Experience

You're standing at Pontal beach in Paraty's historic center, kayak in hand, the Atlantic behind you. The guide runs through safety and paddle technique — fifteen minutes, nothing complicated — and then you're pushing off toward Ilha dos Pombos. The water is calm enough that you notice things: the way the light hits the palms, the sound of your paddle entering the water, the smell of salt and vegetation mixing together. Exotic plants line the island, and the view opens up fast.

Then comes the mangrove. It's the last one left inside Paraty proper, and paddling into it feels like entering a different world — the canopy closes in, the water darkens, and suddenly a toucan lands on a branch above you. Your guide points it out before you'd have spotted it yourself. A little further and there's an imperial heron, then the capybaras — a whole family of them, just sitting in the shallows like they own the place. The kayaking to the mangroves is the draw, but the wildlife is what stays with you.

After the mangrove, you paddle toward the Perequê Açu river and back through Paraty's historic center. This is the part that catches people off guard: the city from water level is completely different. You're seeing the colonial buildings, the old streets, the character of the place from an angle most visitors never get. The paddle time is about ninety minutes total, and by the end you've covered ground without feeling rushed. One stop, light effort, designed so you're not exhausted when you're done.

Bring sunscreen, a bathing suit, a cap and sunglasses — the sun reflects hard off the water. A waterproof bag for your phone is worth it if you want photos that don't get ruined. Departures run at 8:45 am and 2:45 pm, and you need to book ahead. The whole thing takes two and a half hours from start to finish.

What’s included

Your kayaking tour includes a brief safety and paddling instruction before departure, professional guide throughout, and all necessary nautical and safety material.
You'll paddle through Paraty's last mangrove forest, stop to observe wildlife, and return via the Perequê Açu river and the city's historic waterfront.
The tour runs 2.5 hours total with 90 minutes of active paddling.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Kayak Paraty - Water sports

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Paraty from the water without arranging your own kayak, guide or wildlife knowledge — the fixed departures and included instruction mean you show up and paddle, and the mangrove stop is where the capybaras and birds actually are.