Pipa Beach, Beach and village in Tibau do Sul, Brazil

Pipa is a coastal settlement in Rio Grande do Norte state, known for its sandy shores and red cliffs that run along the Atlantic Ocean. The village spreads over several streets above the shore, where houses, pousadas and restaurants sit among palm trees and open onto ocean views.

In the 1970s the first surfers arrived from other parts of Brazil and spread word about the waves along the coast. Over time the fishing settlement grew into a travel destination, and today visitors come from different countries and from across Brazil.

Fishermen share the shore with shops and bars that draw international visitors by day and turn into gathering spots by night. Many residents come from other parts of Brazil or from abroad, and they bring a relaxed lifestyle that shapes the daily rhythm of the village.

Visitors arriving in the morning find quieter stretches of sand and can walk along the cliffs, while the afternoon brings calmer conditions for swimming. Dirt paths lead down from the village to the water, and comfortable shoes help when walking on uneven ground.

The dolphins in the bay are Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), known locally as boto-cinza, not spinner dolphins. They come close to shore mainly at low tide to feed and are easiest to see in the early morning and late afternoon. The bay lies within the Tibau do Sul Coastal Fauna Reserve, created to protect them.