Sandboard Experience in Mozambique: Learn & Ride Dunes

Ride sand dunes the way surfers ride waves, on a board built for it.

A sandboard activity on the wild dunes of Mozambique beach near Rio Vermelho in Florianópolis, where you walk through forest to reach the dune field, learn the basics of sandboarding on professional boards, and descend slopes of varying difficulty. The guide teaches safety and technique before you start. Private transport from the Adrenailha base is included, and the outing runs about three hours, ending as the sun sets over the bay.

The experience

What makes sandboarding different from snowboarding is the terrain and the speed: the sand dunes here shift and vary in slope, so each descent feels new. You start with a quick lesson on the smaller dunes to get the feel of the board and the technique (a mix of surfing, skating and snowboarding moves) before moving to the larger runs. The guide picks the dunes based on what you're ready for, so the difficulty scales with your comfort.

The location matters. These are wild dunes in a preservation area around Rio Vermelho State Park, about 5 kilometers from the Adrenailha base, and they stay uncrowded because they're not a tourist circuit. You walk in via a forest trail to reach the dune field, which means you're moving through the landscape rather than being shuttled to a viewing platform. After you've practiced and descended, the option to visit the source of Rio Vermelho or Praia do Mozambique sits at the end of the day, depending on energy and light.

Private transport from the base is included, and the boards themselves are professional-grade with snowboard-style clips. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and children from age six can join. The whole outing takes about three hours, timed so you're gathering up as the stars come out and the horizon over the bay turns dark.

What’s included

• Private transport from the Adrenailha base to the dunes.
• professional sandboards with snowboard-style clips.
• a guide teaching safety and technique before you ride.
• access to the wild dune field around Rio Vermelho State Park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Adrenailha Aventuras”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Adrenailha Aventuras

Is this one for you?The activity involves walking to the dunes and descending slopes of varying steepness, so it asks for a moderate level of movement and balance on an unstable surface. It suits anyone comfortable with that kind of physical engagement and looking for a small-group experience without the crowds of a standard beach tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 9 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What exactly is sandboarding and how is it different from snowboarding?

Sandboarding uses the same board design and foot clips as snowboarding, but on sand dunes instead of snow. The sand shifts under the board, changing speed and grip with each run, so the technique adapts to the terrain. It combines moves from surfing, skating and snowboarding.

Do I need experience to try sandboarding, or can I start from scratch?

You start from scratch. The guide teaches the basics on smaller dunes before you move to larger slopes, so the learning happens on the board in the actual dune field. Each descent helps you improve technique.

What's the walk like to get to the dunes?

You walk through the forest on an access trail to reach the dune field. It's described as a light walk, and it's part of how you move through the landscape rather than being driven directly to the spot.

What happens at the end of the three hours?

As the sun sets and stars appear, the group gathers to look out over the bay and the horizon. After that, you have the option to visit the source of Rio Vermelho or Praia do Mozambique before heading back to the base.