Barrier islands
Boat trip.
The Ponta do Tubarão Sustainable Development Reserve lies at Diogo Lopes beach in Rio Grande do Norte. It was created by state law in July 2003 and covers about 12,960 hectares between Macau and Guamaré; it was the first reserve of its kind in the state and the second in Brazil. The reserve aims to protect biodiversity while securing a decent livelihood for its traditional communities, and it holds five ecosystems: semi-arid caatinga, dunes, estuaries and lagoons, mangroves and coastal restinga. The village of Diogo Lopes, one of the reserve's traditional communities, lies about twenty-five kilometres from Macau. Its residents are building community-based tourism with support from the state university, including a talk on the reserve's history, the Trilha dos Olheiros trail and a boat trip to the barrier islands with a swimming stop. Check available tours in advance.
Boat trip.
And dunes.
With locals.
Diogo Lopes, between Macau and Guamaré, Rio Grande do Norte
On the community tours run by Diogo Lopes residents; check in advance.