Atins

Infinite free space in the unique Atins

Kitesurfing in Atins

Atins is an absolute insider tip among shallow water lovers for a reason and offers free space without end. The remote spot is not nearly overcrowded, even in the high season. The hard-to-reach fishing village is located at the huge estuary of the 75 mile long Rio Preguiças. However, the erosion of the river is causing the village a lot of trouble. The huge sandbanks in front of the beach allow for mirror-smooth flat water at all tides.

Lots of free space for kitesurfing
In the river mouth as well as in the sea at Atins there is an endless amount of space for kitesurfing

If you kite further out into the open sea, you will find nice waves, although not too high. On the 700 meter long route you have to cross the river completely. The water can become quite choppy at the point where river and sea meet. But this changes suddenly as soon as you reach the sandbank on your right.

Crowded kite spot? - Not so in Atins
Atins is considered a remote paradise and should be on every kitesurfer’s must-visit list

A very special and unique kitesurfing experience is certainly a visit to the nearby Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. During the rainy season, countless freshwater lagoons fill up between thousands upon thousands of white sand dunes These crystal clear lagoons shimmer mostly turquoise to azure blue. A sight not to be missed.

Turquoise lagoons
The turquoise lagoons in the national park ensure unforgettable moments

However, if you want to kitesurf in one of the numerous lagoons in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, you should come to Brazil during the summer months if possible. By September at the latest, the lagoons slowly begin to evaporate. How long it takes for them to dry out completely depends on the amount of precipitation during the rainy season. Although there are a few lagoons that are filled with water all year round, the water color is not as spectacular there.

Beautiful turquoise green lagoon
A highlight in Atins is definitely to go kiting in one of the beautiful lagoons

Spot and wind conditions

Kitesurfers of all levels will be happy in Atins. Not only beginners will enjoy endless space and flat water. If you kite a little downwind, you will find shallow water behind the smaller and closer sandbank. If you want waves, you have to go 2 km (1.25 mi) out into the sea, but you will not be disappointed. Despite the distance to the beach, it is quite safe by the sea, as there is a large sandbank in the lee.

Flat water thanks to sandbanks
The huge sandbanks ensure perfect flat water conditions

The wind here is usually not quite as strong as in Jeri or Prea from which lightweights could possibly benefit. Nevertheless, it is rare to see a kite here larger than 12 m2. The strongest winds in Atins are from October to mid-December.

There are plenty of kite schools directly on the beach as well as in town.

Tide

The conditions for kitesurfing hardly change in Atins at high or low tide. It is obvious that the water is calmer at low tide and larger waves occur at high tide.

Dangers zones

Absolutely none. Here there is nothing but warm water and fine sand. Neither near the beach nor in the river. Also the wave spot in the sea is free of any rocks and reefs.

Kitesurf Downwinder

Atins is the destination of many kitesurf downwinders, but hardly any downwinder starts here. This is not only due to the fact that this kite spot is very remote, but also because of its geographical position. Of course there is the possibility of kiting downwind for hours in the company of a vehicle on the beach from Atins. However, that far in the northwest no multi-day kite trips takes place.

Depending on the water level in the lagoons, it is recommended to combine the downwinder from Atins with a visit to the national park. A kite session in the crystal clear lagoons will burn into your memory forever – we promise! Whether the water level in the lagoons is still sufficient, you can find out from the local kite schools.

Kitesurf Downwinders from / to Atins

Spot overview

Atins Location description

Atins is far off the beaten track and this is exactly what makes up a large part of its charm. The fishing village in “nowhere” was connected to the power grid only a few years ago. The deep sand roads in the village can only be conquered with a 4×4 or quad bike. In Atins you have the feeling that you have made a 20-year journey back in time to Jericoacoara.

Aerial view of Atins
From the air you can see that Atins is not as small as you would think

Thanks to the adjacent national park and the excellent kite conditions on site, the community benefits from backpackers and kite surfers alike. Nevertheless there is no cash dispenser here. Only a few pousadas and restaurants offer payment by debit or credit card. In the small supermarkets you can only pay with cash.

Atins after sunset
Atins just after sunset. Electricity has only been around here for a few years

Directions

Even though Atins is very remote, as a kitesurfer you should spare no effort to visit this magical place sooner or later. Even getting to Atins is a real adventure. The starting point for a 4×4 off-road vehicle ride through the savannahs or by boat along the river is in both cases the village of Barreirinhas, a good 12 miles away.

If you are not traveling with an all-wheel drive pick-up like Hilux or the like, you have to park your car in Barreirinhas and continue by boat. The way to Atins is not manageable without 4×4. If you do not know the route well, you will also need a guide. The driver of the off-road vehicle should have sufficient knowledge to drive long distances in deep sand. The sand road to Jeri, on the other hand, is child’s play. But in Atins itself you do not need a vehicle. Everything necessary is within walking distance.

Accommodation and restaurants

Atins lives more or less from tourism. At the end of the rainy season, the national park attracts visitors from all over the world. From July onwards, it is the kite surfers who increasingly visit this remote place. There are enough pousadas and chalets in Atins. The remote location of the town affects local prices. Almost all the food has made a journey of several hours. The complex transport is done by boats or pick-up trucks. Staff do not live on site and require their own accommodation to stay overnight.

A very charming place to lay your head when in Atins is Convento Arcadia. Eight artistically designed chalets are spread out in a tropical garden and offer space for two to six people. The place is a mere 200 yd from the beach and features an excellent restaurant, a refreshing pool and a bar/lounge to chill.

Chalet of the Convento Arcadia
One of the eight detached chalets of the Convento Arcadia in Atins
Well maintained garden with pool in Atins
The well-kept garden invites you to relax
Chalet for up to four people in Atins
Spacious chalet with sleeping accommodation for up to four people
Pool with adjacent bar
The pool with adjacent bar area

The choice is not quite so large when it comes to dining places. Most restaurants serve typical regional food such as fish, shrimp, beef and chicken. But there are also pizza and burgers.

Covered beach bar
Cozy beach bar with the best view of the kite beach

But of course there is no party mile here. Those who come to Atins are looking for peace, seclusion and of course a world class flat water spot. Most of the accommodations offer free wifi – it is quite slow, but better than nothing. In Atins, however, you need your cell phone for something completely different. That is the flashlight function to find your way in the darkness. At night it is pitch dark but the starry sky shines above you in all its splendor without light pollution.

Additional Activities

Besides kitesurfing, the main attraction in Atins is the direct access to the Lençóis Maranhenses. This only desert of Brazil – yes Brazil really has a desert – covers an area of over 155,000 ha and extends 20 miles inland. Due to the heavy rainfall during the rainy season, lagoons up to 10 feet deep develop between the dunes.

Thousands upon thousands of crystal clear lagoons
Thousands upon thousands of crystal clear lagoons arise in the Lencois Maranhenses National Park during the rainy season

From Atins you can explore the National Park by horse or car with an authorized driver. Unauthorized driving is prohibited and absolutely not recommended. The shifting sand dunes are exposed to strong trade winds and thus slowly but steadily change their position and shape and. And it is precisely this wind that you can take advantage of as a kite surfer in the Brazilian desert to enjoy an indescribable kitesurf experience.

Water in the Brazilian desert
Only a few lagoons in the only desert in Brazil are filled with water all year round

Kite spot Atins
Summary
Very good flat water kite spot with numerous schools on site. A wave spot is present, albeit somewhat distant. Overall, only a few kitesurfers and a lot of free space. The journey there is a bit arduous. Sufficient accommodation, but the number of restaurants is not very high. Everything is closed after 10 p.m. at the latest.
Flat Water
Wave
Accommodations
Restaurants
Family suitability
Nightlife
Reader Rating14 Votes
Pros
Excellent flat water spot
Shallow spots
Beginner-friendly
Cons
Long and arduous journey
Very quiet in the evening
2.6

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Flat Water
Wave
Accommodations
Restaurants
Family suitability
Nightlife
Final Score

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