Delta of the river PARNAIBA

Delta of the river Parnaiba

We would like to invite you to know the delta of the river Parnaiba. There are several options to visit the delta: if you like the more individual and traditional way, you will like the chalana boat and if you want to have more speed, there is also the possibility to do a delta tour by speed boat. Choose between some beautyfull tour variations.
There are small and simple pousadas at the ilha das Canárias to be more inside the delta rythm.

Don´t hesitate to ask for more information

“A rare spectacle you have to visit”

The Parnaíba River forms the border between the states of Maranhão and Piauí, rising in the Chapada das Mangabeiras range, and flowing northeast-ward for ~1,450 km meeting then the Atlantic Ocean. The middle and upper regions of this river are separated by waterfalls, but otherwise navigable.
Where the Parnaiba River meets the Atlantic Ocean, it forms an archipelago with more than 110 islands, 75 of them are even registered and named. This dynamic ecosystem has been declared to be a protected area since 1981.
An ocean delta like the one formed by the Parnaiba River is the outward opening that branches out in many directions before it encounters the ocean. Besides Mekong and Nile the Parnaiba Delta is one of the largest of the world. The total area of the delta covers 2,700 km²; and ~ 100 km of coast. 35% of the whole area is swamp, 12% dunes, 23% forest, 20% fields and 10% others.
The Parnaiba Delta is a rare spectacle you have to visit. Some of the islands are covered with tropical forest, others with dunes up to 40 meters high and others have farms, plantations and beaches. You will enjoy sand dunes as well as fresh water lakes and lagoons. Here you can find the luminosity of the coastline, the biodiversity of preserved tropical mangroves and the conjunction of the freshwater river and the ocean. In this ecological sanctuary animals such as monkeys, foxes, wild cats, coatis, alligators, sea turtles and more. The feeling of navigating in the forest swamps and labyrinth of the “igarapes” - small branching rivers - surrounded by rice fields and palm trees (Carnauba) is breathtaking. You will retrieve the peace of an intact (!) natural system.
The four bigger islands of the Delta are:
Ilha Grande de Santa Isabel in Piauí, Ilha das Canárias, already in Maranhão, Ilha do Caju, Ilha Grande do Paulino.

We would like to recommend a tour to the delta with traditional relaxing boats with hammocks (capacity max .12 people) and canoes, have dinner or lunch at one of the inviting restaurants on an island and one ore two overnights in one of the islands – Ilha das Canárias - with simple hotels.

Delta do Rio Parnaiba with casa do turismo -

a small map of the delta of the rivfer Parnaiba - there are five river arms between Parnaiba and Tutóia

• Barra Grande and Cachoeira da Praia insider of the kite sports love the place and the conditions
• Macapá - Divided from Barra grande by the Camurupim River the beach of Macapá is a gorgeous spot for canoeing, sailing or just taking a bath. Traditional fisherman offer freshly caught fish, crab and shrimp at small restaurants to reasonable prices. It is one of the most unexplored and remote regions of Brazil, a silent solitary place where you can do nothing but relax.
• Maramar
• Carnaubinha
• Arrombado
• Itaqui
• Coqueiro beach
• Barro preto
• Peito de moça
• Atalaia - Luis Correira the "busiest" beach along Piauís 66 km of coastline. It is an urban beach with bars, restaurants and hotels.