São Miguel Do Gostoso: Coast, Water Sports and Culture

São Miguel do Gostoso combines coastal locations with distinctive natural formations, water sports and cultural events. At Praia de Tourinhos, the coast reveals an unusual side: petrified dune formations more than 2,500 years old stand there. At high tide, water shoots through a hole in a rock near the coast at Suspiro da Baleia. Travellers who like to combine natural curiosities with activities on the water when planning a trip will find two different points of interest here.

Coastal formations and water sports

The petrified dunes at Praia de Tourinhos give the landscape a particularly ancient character. The natural phenomenon of Suspiro da Baleia, by contrast, depends on the tides: at high tide, water emerges through a hole in the rock. This condition is part of the experience and distinguishes the jet of water from a natural phenomenon that occurs in the same way at all times. Both features make Tourinhos interesting for travellers who want to discover a specific coastal attraction as well as spend time at the beach.

São Miguel do Gostoso has 2 to 3 km of beach with conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing at all skill levels. A particular point of reference for kitesurfers is Ponta do Santo Cristo. It is considered the town’s best kitesurfing spot and is located opposite the schools and equipment storage facilities. The stretch in question has clean sand and no rocks, trees or other obstacles.

Praia de Tourinhos also has surfboard rentals and surfing lessons with local guidance. This is a different way to enjoy the water than kitesurfing and windsurfing: the focus here is on board rental and lessons.

Culture and local traditions

Culture is also part of the town’s character. The Mostra de Cinema de Gostoso is officially recognised as cultural, tourist and intangible heritage of the state of Rio Grande do Norte under State Law No. 12.299/2025. The Mostra traditionally takes place at Praia do Maceió in São Miguel do Gostoso. For a trip where film and culture play an important role, this connection is a reason in its own right to explore the town’s cultural life.

Another cultural point of reference is the Igreja de São Miguel Arcanjo in Centro, at Avenida dos Arrecifes No. 1638. Its collection includes drawings, a mural, sculptures, paintings and photographs. The variety of forms shows that the collection is not limited to a single type of artwork. For those interested in culture, the collection offers a different focus from the film event or religious celebrations.

The celebrations in honour of the patron saint São Miguel Arcanjo lasted ten days, from 19 to 29 September 2023. The programme included social, sporting, religious and cultural activities.

Activities at the lagoon and coast

At Lagoa do Cardeiro in the locality of Praia do Cardeiro, people go canoeing, do gymnastics, dive, observe, fish, row and sail. The range therefore extends from activity on the water to observation. Travellers with different interests can consider the lagoon as a separate attraction alongside beach and cultural experiences.

The Open Gostoso de Surfcasting is also associated with the town. The third competition followed the “catch and release” principle. It was announced that, from 2026, the competition would officially be included in São Miguel do Gostoso’s annual events calendar. The announcement refers to a planned inclusion; it does not specify a date for a particular edition.

Getting there from Natal

Expresso Cabral operates a bus service from Natal to São Miguel do Gostoso. The journey starts at Natal’s bus station on Avenida Capitão-Mor Gouveia.

More destinations to explore: Pipa, Natal, Currais Novos, Tibau, Pau Dos Ferros, Pirangi do Sul, Caraúbas and Parnamirim.

Go to the main travel overview: Rio Grande Do Norte.