Praia do Forte
Bahia, Brazil 🇧🇷
Brazil's most enchanting beach village — where sea turtle nesting beaches, natural reef pools, and the country's oldest stone ruins combine in one unforgettable place.
Bahia, Brazil 🇧🇷
Brazil's most enchanting beach village — where sea turtle nesting beaches, natural reef pools, and the country's oldest stone ruins combine in one unforgettable place.
Location
Litoral Norte, Bahia (80 km north of Salvador)
Sand Type
Golden White
Water Clarity
Very Good
Facilities
Restaurants, Hotels, Turtle Sanctuary (TAMAR), Parking, Lifeguards
Best Season
September – March
Nearest Airport
Salvador Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães (SSA)
Praia do Forte is a pristine beach village north of Salvador where the sea turtles of Brazil's TAMAR Project nest on protected shores. The calm, reef-sheltered waters create natural pools along the beachfront — transparent aquariums of warm water that visitors wade into and snorkel over corals and tropical fish without going into the open ocean. The charming pedestrianised village street (the "Alameda do Sol") is lined with seafood restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.
The TAMAR Sea Turtle Project, based in Praia do Forte, has protected nesting populations of hawksbill and loggerhead turtles on this protected coastline since 1980 and is one of Brazil's most successful marine conservation projects. Visitors can observe turtles in tanks at the TAMAR visitor centre during the day and, during nesting season (September to March), watch females coming ashore at night to lay eggs. The Castelo Garcia d'Ávila — Brazil's oldest stone ruin, dating from 1551 — watches over the landscape from a nearby hill and provides an extraordinary historical contrast with the beach below.
Flat beach access. The village street is pedestrianised and mostly flat. TAMAR centre is wheelchair accessible. Bus from Salvador available but taxi/transfer more convenient.
Located on BA-099 (Linha Verde highway) approximately 80 km north of Salvador. Transfers from Salvador bus terminal (rodoviária) available. Salvador Airport (SSA) approximately 90 minutes by car. Private transfers and day tours from Salvador widely available.
🐢 TAMAR Sea Turtle Project
World-famous turtle conservation centre on-site
🏰 Castelo Garcia d'Ávila
Brazil's oldest stone ruin, dating from 1551
🌊 Natural Reef Pools
Crystal-clear tide pools along the beachfront
🏖️ Imbassaí Beach
Pristine river-mouth beach nearby