Atins is a small village at the mouth of the Preguiças River, at the gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses. Sand streets, a handful of pousadas, dunes on one side and sea on the other. For riders, it’s the rare combination of flat water, waves and a landscape unlike anywhere else in Brazil.
The spot
The main draw of Atins is where the river meets the sea. At the mouth of the Preguiças, depending on the tide, areas of shallow, smooth water form—great for learning and practicing tricks. A bit further out, in the open sea, there are waves for those who like wave riding and for those who want to do downwind runs along the coast.
Wind typically comes from the side relative to the beach and picks up throughout the day. Like any river spot, the tide controls much: the same area can be perfect in the morning and have strong currents in the afternoon. Talk to a local school before riding solo.
For whom
- Beginners: shallow river areas make first lessons much easier.
- Intermediate: flat water to progress in edge work, jumps and transitions.
- Advanced: open sea waves and downwinds with dune scenery.
Best season
Wind season generally runs from July to December, with the most consistent months between August and November. In the first half, Maranhão’s rainy season, wind is weaker and less regular—but it’s when the Lençóis lagoons are full.
How to get there
The most common route is to reach São Luís and drive to Barreirinhas. From there, the final stretch to Atins is by boat up the Preguiças River or by 4x4 over sand. There are also transfers leaving Jericoacoara via the Rota das Emoções route, passing Barra Grande and the Parnaíba Delta.
Tips
- Bring cash: the village infrastructure is simple.
- Coordinate with the school for the best time based on tide.
- Set aside a day without kite to explore the Lençóis dunes and lagoons.
- Heading east? Check our Barra Grande guide and the kite trip itinerary through Ceará.
Wind month by month
Model forecast for the sea off the spot. Data: MET Norway (yr.no), CC BY 4.0.
Average wind between 10:00 and 17:00, when sessions happen, and the share of days with an average of 15 knots or more.
% of days averaging 15 knots or more: <30% 30–54% 55–79% 80%+· Average wind: knots
| — | Average wind (knots) | Days with 15+ knots |
|---|---|---|
| jan | 12.6 | 18% |
| feb | 11.8 | 15% |
| mar | 10.1 | 3% |
| apr | 10.5 | 10% |
| may | 12.0 | 11% |
| jun | 13.2 | 25% |
| jul | 13.6 | 32% |
| aug | 15.4 | 62% |
| sep | 16.9 | 84% |
| oct | 16.6 | 79% |
| nov | 15.7 | 65% |
| dec | 14.8 | 52% |
Source: 10-year history (ERA5) via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0, measured at sea off the spot. This is a climate average, not a forecast. On the beach the wind can differ by a few knots due to thermal and terrain effects. For the coming days, check a forecast such as Windguru or Windfinder.
Photos of the spot
