Active Pursuits

Hitting the Beaches

The charm of Búzios lies largely in its beaches, the 20 stretches of sand large and small within a few kilometers of the old town. Thanks to the irregular topography of this rugged little peninsula, each beach is set off from the other and has developed its own beach personality. Farthest from the old town is Manguinhos beach. Sheltered from the heavy surf, this gentle beach is where many learn to sail and windsurf. A short hop over the neck of the peninsula lies Geribá beach, a wonderful long stretch of sand facing out toward the open ocean. This is the beach for surfing, boogie boarding, and windsurfing. Closer to town is Ferradura or Horseshoe beach. Nestled between rocky headlands in a beautiful horseshoe bay, this beach offers calm, crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect place for a long lazy afternoon's snorkel. Tiny and beautiful, Olho de Boi or Bull's Eye beach is tucked away on its own at the far end of a small ecological reserve. It can only be reached by a 20-minute walk from surfers' favorite Brava beach. Thanks to this isolation, Bull's Eye beach has been adopted by Búzios' clothing-optional crowd. Back on the calm inland side of the peninsula, João Fernandes and the pocket-size João Fernandinho beaches are busy, happening places lined with beachside cafes and full of people intent on getting and showing off their tans.

Outdoor Activities & Watersports

Most everything in the way of watersports equipment can be rented in Búzios, generally right on the beach.

On Ferradura beach, Happy Surf (tel. 022/2623-3389) rents sailboards, lasers (a type of one-person sailboat), Hobie Cats, and kayaks. Happy Surf also gives courses. A 6-hour beginner's sailboard course costs R$150 (US$75/£40). For more advanced students there are 1- and 2-hour courses costing from R$35 to R$60 (US$18-US$30/£9.50-£16). Lasers rent for R$35 (US$18/£9.50) per half-hour, R$45 (US$23/£12) with instructor. Hobie Cats rent for R$25 (US$13/£7) per half-hour, R$40 (US$20/£11) with instructor. Kayaks rent for R$5 (US$2.50/£1.35) per half-hour, R$8 (US$4/£2.15) per hour. Paddle boats can be rented for R$22 (US$11/£6) per hour.

The following equipment is available at João Fernandes Beach: kayak rental, R$5 (US$2.50/£1.35) for 30 minutes; mask and snorkel package, R$12 (US$6/£3.25) per hour; and sailboard, R$30 (US$15/£8) per hour.

On Manguinhos beach, two clubs rent lasers and sailboards: Búzios Vela Club, Rua Maurício Dutra 303 (tel. 022/2623-1237), and Yucas Beach Club, Rua Maurício Dutra 356 (tel. 022/2623-2001). Prices similar to those above. Manguinhos is also a popular kite-surfing location. Intensive weekend courses are available for R$400 (US$200/£108), including gear and 8 hours of instruction. To book a lesson call Búzios Kite Surfing School (tel. 022/2633-0396).

Boating -- Schooner trips are a great way to spend a day in Búzios. A small fleet of converted fishing schooners makes a circuit of about eight of Búzios' beaches plus three offshore islands. On board you trundle along in the sunshine eating complimentary fresh fruit and drinking free caipirinhas (or mineral water). At any of the beaches you're free to get off, hang out and swim for a bit, and then hop back on the next schooner (from your company) that comes along. There are enough boats that you usually don't have to wait long. One company is Malizia Tour (tel. 022/2623-1226), but there's really no need to seek them out. Just walk along Rua das Pedras anywhere near the pier, and you're guaranteed to be approached by a schooner tout. The exact price depends on how many of you there are and how hard you negotiate, but competition between various schooner operators keeps things fairly competitive. Expect to pay from R$30 to R$50 (US$15-US$25/£8-£14) for a half-day's cruise.

Diving -- The islands just off Búzios are -- along with Angra dos Reis and Arraial do Cabo -- some of the best diving spots within a 1-day drive of Rio. Diving takes place at a number of islands about 45 minutes off the coast. Water temperature is normally around 72°F (22°C). Visibility ranges from 10 to 15m (30-50 ft.). Coral formations are fairly basic -- mostly soft coral -- but there are always lots of parrotfish, and there are often sea turtles (green and hawksbill) and stingrays of considerable size.

Casa Mar, Rua das Pedras 242 (tel. 022/2623-2441; www.casamar.com.br), offers a full range of services including cylinder refill and courses all the way from basic to nitrox. For a certified diver, a two-dive excursion costs R$110 (US$55/£30) or R$150 (US$75/£40) if you need to rent all the equipment such as a regulator, BCD (buoyancy control device), wet suit, and mask/fins/snorkel. For those wanting to get their diving license, a 4-day PADI open-water course costs R$850 (US$475/£230). If you just want to try diving, there are also introduction dives -- you practice in the pool first and then the dive instructor takes you out for a controlled one-on-one dive in the open ocean -- for R$180 (US$90/£49). Non-divers who come on the boat pay R$80 (US$40/£22).

Golf -- The Búzios Golf Club & Resort (tel. 022/2629-1240; www.buziosgolfe.com.br) is located just in from Manguinhos beach. Greens fees for this 18-hole course are R$165 (US$83/£45) per day for unlimited golf. No carts allowed, but caddies are available.

Surfing -- Geribá and Tocuns beaches are the best surfing options. They're located on the way in to Búzios, about 5km (3 miles) from downtown. Closer to town is the smaller Brava beach, which also often has good waves. Note that board rentals are currently unavailable in Búzios.

Biking -- Hard-core mountain bikers would likely find it a little tame, but Búzios is an excellent place for gentle, recreational off-road cycling. There are lots of trails accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists. Armação Bikes, Manoel De Carvalho 229 (tel. 022/9213-4597), and Bike-Tour, Rua das Pedras 266, loja 4 (tel. 022/2623-6365), both rent bikes and can provide trail maps and even guides. Cost is around R$15 (US$7.50/£4) per hour, R$40 (US$20/£11) per day.

Adventure Sports -- Canoar, Travessa Oscar Lopez 63, loja 02 (tel. 022/2623-2551), runs nature treks, rappelling trips, and rafting expeditions in the Serramar region, about 30 minutes inland from Búzios. A 2-hour trek to a waterfall along the Pai João Trail costs R$30 (US$15/£8), transfer and light lunch included. A 3-hour rappelling trip, including a descent down a 25m (82-ft.) cliff face, costs R$56 (US$28/£15), transfer and light lunch included. Rafting trips leave twice daily, at 9am and 2pm. Participants descend 5km (3 miles) down a Class III river in either six-person or two-person inflatable rafts. Cost is R$60 (US$30/£16). Minimum age is 12.

Horseback Riding -- Canoar, Travessa Oscar Lopez 63, loja 02 (tel. 022/2623-2551), runs "eco" horseback trips in the Atlantic rainforest. Horses are very calm, and riders carefully monitored. A 2-hour trip costs R$40 (US$20/£11).