One of the most remarkable aspects of the northern coast of Brazil from Natal to Sāo Luís is that is almost entirely low-angle sandy beach and sand & mangrove river mouths with relatively few rocks and reefs. There are some rocks and one place in particular that I know of with a nasty bit of sharp reef (at the point in Barra Grande), but overall it’s a very friendly coast from a geographic point of view. What you will see on any given day depends a lot on the tide, since there is a 2-4m tidal range.

We get a lot of sun in the north of Brazil. On our long distance trips the best way to manage sun exposure and prevent over-exposure is to cover up! Most of us wear a long-sleeved SPF 50 rash guard and many people wear long tights as well, and of course a hat and perhaps a face/neck guard.

It’s always a good idea to check the recent news and certain conditions before you arrive. Brazil is known to have had certain mosquito-related outbreaks. This typically occurs in remote areas, near the Amazon or Pantanal. The risk is there, but do your research and pack the necessary protection (bug spray and protective clothing), and you should have nothing to worry about!

It always helps to be in good physical condition, [...]

Keep in mind that when traveling in a group, your safety is everyone else’s safety — essentially, your equipment is everyone else’s safety and vice versa. If you have an equipment failure, it affects everyone in the group, and may put not only you but others at risk. So: first of all, see above, and select your gear for your trip so that you have minimal chance of equipment failure. Even though we do have guides on the water to assist you, on any adventure you should assume at all times that your safety is ultimately your own responsibility — and so you must be prepared to do a deep-water packdown and self-rescue if necessary. Some of our routes take you 1-2km offshore in places. Be prepared, choose a route appropriate to your skill level, and don’t get in over your head. If you do have a problem on the water and need assistance, one of the guides will help you get to shore. They are equipped and trained to perform this kind of deep-water rescue, usually by swapping a kite or by towing you to shore. You should be prepared to abandon gear without hesitation in such an emergency. I took up open-water swimming in a minor way a few years ago. Being able to swim 2km in open water certainly makes me much more confident doing open-water crossings by kite.

Choose equipment that is in very good condition, not more than three years old, and that you are very familiar with. If you have old gear, it’s time to upgrade, but not right before you leave for Brazil! Take the opportunity to get familiar with any new equipment well before your trip so that you’re not sorting out new gear in a new country. Similarly, take the time to do any maintenance or replacement well before your trip. Bring spare parts too — an extra bar, at least one spare kite valve, some line, that sort of thing. Since you are going to a new place and likely kiting farther and longer than you will have in the past, you want your gear to be 100% dependable!

Our groups typically travel with two or three guides: a captain and one or two co-captains. Each guide is a highly experienced kitesurfer, capable of guiding and assisting our clients in any given situation along the route. We often also have pro rider with the group and/or a local, native kitesurfer that is very familiar with the area. Their job is to make you feel safe, secure, and ensure an incredible experience!

American citizens do need a visa (and passport, of course) to visit Brazil. The awesome news is that the visa is good for ten years! Check the State department website for information, or apply directly using the new e-Visa program.

Since Brazil is more south from the U.S. than east or west, the time difference is much less than if you go to Europe or the Pacific. There is a 2-3 hour difference from the east coast and a 4-6 hour difference from the west coast, but it’s usually not an issue. My philosophy on jet lag is: ignore it. Some people love to talk about jet lag, I like to get outside, have a run and then get in the water and go kiting!

It’s farther, but the way we look at it, travel is part of the fun! If often does take ~24 hours to get to Prea from, for example, San Francisco. Given the travel time, consider making your trip to Brazil a bit longer: spend two weeks exploring in the north, or stop in Rio for a long weekend.