The cleanest beaches in São Paulo reveal that, even along an urban coastline, there are still stretches where the water invites a peaceful swim
Submitted at Apr 9, 2026, 2:00 PM
O encontro do rio com o mar na Barra do Una forma uma paisagem única, perfeita para passeios de barco e esportes aquáticos. (Turismo São Sebastião/Divulgação)
The cleanest beaches in São Paulo are not concentrated in a single spot along the coast, but spread out across preserved areas and regions with greater environmental control. In common, they tend to have less urban interference, good water circulation and surroundings that favor maintaining seawater quality over time.
More than just looking at the appearance of the water, it’s worth considering factors such as recent rainfall, the presence of rivers and the density of visitors. These elements directly affect the bathing experience and help explain why some beaches stay cleaner and more inviting at different times of the year. Below, we list 7 beaches that stand out when it comes to water cleanliness!
Located in Guarujá, Praia do Tombo is one of the best-known when it comes to water quality. Even in a highly urbanized city, it stands out for its organization and frequent maintenance, which contribute to a cleaner, more balanced project.
Praia do Tombo (Guarujá) (Jose Roberto Seixas/Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
The rough sea promotes constant water renewal, which helps keep good bathing conditions at various times. Even though the waves are stronger, there are days when the setting becomes more stable, allowing dives near the rocks and a calmer experience.
Itaguaré, in Bertioga, offers a setting that remains close to natural. With controlled access and the absence of buildings around, the beach preserves environmental characteristics that directly impact water quality.
Itaguaré (Bertioga) (Prefeitura de Bertioga/Divulgação)
Low foot traffic and the presence of native vegetation help keep the sea cleaner and with fewer disturbances. It is a beach that favors a quieter swim, where water clarity appears more often – especially outside rainy periods!
Among Ubatuba’s many beaches, Praia Vermelha stands out for being in a region less impacted by direct urbanization. Surrounded by hills and dense forest, it usually has cleaner water compared with the city’s central areas.
Praia Vermelha (Ubatuba) (Curiosidades de Ubatuba/Divulgação)
Sea conditions can vary with the weather, but in stable periods, visibility improves considerably. This creates appealing conditions for those seeking gentle dives, close to the shore, in a more sheltered project.
Barra do Una, in São Sebastião, brings together characteristics that favor a good bathing experience. The sea, usually calmer, allows for staying in the water longer, while the less dense surroundings contribute to the conservation of the area.
Barra do Una (São Sebastião) (Pousada Una/Divulgação)
The presence of the river calls for attention after rainy days, when the water can become murkier. Even so, most of the time the beach maintains pleasant conditions, with good quality and a more relaxed pace.
Tabatinga is one of Caraguatatuba’s beaches that show greater consistency in cleanliness and organization. Located in a more controlled area, it tends to suffer less from the typical impacts of more urbanized regions.
Tabatinga (Caraguatatuba) (Claudio Gomes/PMC/Divulgação)
The calm sea and the well-kept stretch of sand make it a good place for more relaxed swims. On clear-weather days, the water tends to appear clearer, fostering a safer, more comfortable experience.
Guaratuba, also in Bertioga, lies within an environmental protection area, which limits development and helps preserve its natural characteristics. This context favors the maintenance of cleaner waters over time.
Guaratuba (Bertioga) (Prefeitura de Bertioga/Divulgação)
The beach is long and less crowded, which reduces pressure on the project and contributes to a sense of balance. The sea, in general, follows this dynamic, offering good bathing conditions along different stretches.
Castelhanos, in Ilhabela, is known for its more difficult access, via a dirt road. This factor limits the flow of visitors and helps preserve both the landscape and water quality.
Castelhanos (Ilha Bela) (Louise Cristina Araujo Ferri/Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
The breadth of the beach and less human interference create a setting where the sea tends to remain cleaner. On days with good visibility, diving becomes even more appealing, reinforcing the sense of isolation and direct contact with nature.
CASACOR Publisher is a proprietary content-creation agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Milena Garcia.
