Praia de Piatã, Beach in Piatã, Salvador, Brazil

Praia de Piatã is a beach along the coast of Salvador with shallow areas and natural pools where octopuses, starfish, and tropical fish live. The water in certain sections remains clear enough to observe the marine life below the surface.

The beach was formerly known as Praia de São Tomé, a name tied to a legend about the apparition of the saint. Its current name comes from the Tupi words py (foot) and atã (hard), meaning 'hard foot', or from a second version meaning 'the persistent one', linked to a coconut oil factory installed in the neighbourhood. Coastal erosion events were recorded in 1985, 1993, 1994 and 2006.

The name Piatã comes from Tupi: py (foot) and atã (hard), giving 'hard foot'; another reading is 'the persistent, the obstinate'. It was also linked to a coconut-oil factory set up in the neighbourhood. The beach was formerly called Praia de São Tomé, after a legend about the saint's apparition.

The beach has restaurants, a children's playground, observation points, and an area for beach sports. Visitors should note that tidal conditions can affect access to the shallow pools, so checking the timing of your visit helps maximize your experience.

In 2017, Vila Piatã was created as a zone with bars and food spots right next to the natural pools. This setup lets visitors move directly from swimming in the pools to dining and drinks without leaving the beach area.