Trincheiras beach, Beach in Baía da Traição, Brazil.

Trincheiras Beach lies along the north coast of Paraíba and features light sand shores with natural rock pools that form during low tide. The coastline curves gently with sections of rocky outcrops and gradually sloping ground that deepens toward the water.

In 1625 the dunes of this beach served as trenches for Portuguese forces fighting the Dutch, which gave the beach its name. The sand hills were used as earthworks rather than built fortifications.

The name comes from the dunes used as trenches by Portuguese forces fighting the Dutch in 1625. Today the beach is lined with barracas and bars serving local dishes of fish and shellfish, eaten at tables set on the sand and among the natural reefs at low tide.

At low tide the sand strip widens considerably and the natural reefs leave room for chairs and parasols; the left corner, called Prainha, is the most sheltered spot. The beach is well ventilated, and the water deepens gradually from the packed sand.

The beach's name comes from its dunes, used as trenches by Portuguese forces fighting the Dutch in 1625. At the left end the same stretch of sand is called Prainha, and the Ilha da Coroa with its reefs lies close by.