North Coast
Is Areia Vermelha worth it? What to expect from the catamaran tour
The Paraíba island that appears and disappears with the tide: what the catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha is like, best season and what to bring.
By Affonso Murillo Soledade de Oliveira · 8 min read · updated 2026-05-14
What Areia Vermelha is and why it disappears with the tide
Areia Vermelha is a sandbar off the coast of Cabedelo, on João Pessoa's North Coast. At high tide, the bar is completely submerged and disappears. At low tide, the sand emerges in the middle of the sea and forms a temporary island — sometimes hundreds of meters long, sometimes smaller, depending on the day's tide coefficient. The name comes from the reddish color of the sand, the result of mixing sediment carried by the Paraíba River with ocean sand. It's one of Paraíba's most photographed sceneries.
What the catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha is like
The tour departs from the Jacaré River, in Cabedelo. The catamaran sails through the Paraíba River estuary and enters the Atlantic toward Areia Vermelha. The crossing is relatively short. At Areia Vermelha, visitors can disembark on the island, swim around it, take photos and explore the area. The water around the island has different shades — more greenish near the estuary, more blue toward the open sea. The boat stays anchored nearby while visitors explore.
What to do at Areia Vermelha
The main activity is exploring the island and enjoying the scenery — a sand beach in the middle of the ocean, with no buildings, nothing around except water and sky. You can swim around the island, enter the shallow natural pools that form around the nearby reefs, take photos of the catamaran anchored with the ocean in the background. [TO CONFIRM WITH MURILLO: whether there's any structure on the island or if visitors bring what they need; whether diving is available at Areia Vermelha]
Best tide and best time to visit
Low tide is mandatory — without low tide, Areia Vermelha doesn't exist. The exact time varies every day according to the tide table. The best time of year is September to March, when rains are lower and the sea tends to be calmer and more transparent. But within the right tide conditions, the tour runs year-round. Murillo checks the table before confirming any departure for Areia Vermelha.
Worth combining Areia Vermelha with Sunset at Jacaré?
Sunset at Jacaré happens on the banks of the same river from which the catamaran to Areia Vermelha departs. Depending on your day's low tide time, you can do both on the same day: catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha in the morning or early afternoon, and sunset at Jacaré at the end of the afternoon. There's a combined tour that unites the two — talk to Murillo on WhatsApp to check availability and fit it to your tide table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Areia Vermelha exist at any time of year?
Areia Vermelha exists year-round, but is only visible at low tide. The sandbar is permanently in the same location — what changes is the sea level. At high tide, it's submerged. At low tide, it emerges as a beach in the middle of the ocean. The size of the island varies with the day's tide coefficient.
Can children go on the catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha?
Yes, the catamaran is a stable vessel and the tour is calm. The crossing on the Jacaré River is gentle and the water at Areia Vermelha is shallow at low tide. [TO CONFIRM WITH MURILLO: minimum age or specific restrictions for children on this tour]
How long does the catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha last?
[TO CONFIRM WITH MURILLO: total duration of the catamaran tour to Areia Vermelha, including time on the island]
Need help planning your itinerary?
Murillo replies on WhatsApp with personalized guidance for your case.
Talk to Murillo on WhatsApp